Nano osmolator problem

[chopper320]

I've had the nano osmolator for about a month and now I've started having issues with the pump. Sometimes it won't come on when the water gets low. I can hear and feel the pump vibrating but it doesn't pump the water. If I tap the pump a few times it usually starts to pump the water.

Is there something I can do to fix this issue?

Thanks

 

[chopper320]

Well I'm actually not so sure it's the pump now. I tested the pump with a 9v battery and it seems to start just fine. If I unplug the osmolator and plug it back in, it will pump water for a couple of seconds but not near enough to fill it(maybe 5 seconds max) then I cannot get it to trigger on its own. I even tried siphoning out tank water to get it to trigger. It seems totally dead at this point.

Kind of frustrating to deal with on such a new product. Any suggestions?

 

[Dmorty217]

mine would do the same thing only the universal or 3155 osmoslator, i purchased a new pump and the problem is fixed. the pumps seem very underpowered and not very durable. i am purchasing a second one for a backup

 

[rvitko]

In general these issues are related to air in the pump, tip it upside down when it is running to purge any trapped air. The nano osmolator gives the pump only 7V, so it will be stronger at 9V. The full size 3155 made since Jan 2012 has an adjustment from 7-11V to the pump (see pages 42-43 of the manual) and is factory preset to 9V. In general the pumps last 2-3 years and are pretty durable.

 

[chopper320]

Yeah I'm starting to think it's the sensor but it seems intermittent. It comes on but maybe for 10 seconds and then it might not come back on at all again until I keep fiddling with it. For instance, yesterday it had not come on all day and my water level was getting much lower than it should so I jiggled the sensor and then the pump started and ran for the full 2 minutes. Then I unplugged it to restart it since the 2 minute sensor had tripped and it never came back on.
Today, the same thing, it had never come back on and the water was low so I just moved the sensor a bit and it immediately started.

What's the best way to test the sensor?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

When new the sensor will take about 4mm of travel to switch off or on, after a few weeks this reduces to about 2mm. The best way to test will simply be to lift it up and down. The float actuates a relay and I have seen a unit where the relay had a cold solder joint and did not switch the pump, but in such a case you would get no pump noise what so ever.