Osmolator 3155 Issue

[Pastey]

I bought a 3155 used with a spare "BNIB" pump that the seller had as a "just in case" back up. The used pump was a bit loud so I went ahead and installed the brand new pump when I set my tank up. It's been working flawlessly for about 5 months give or take until the other day.

I noticed my Osmolator control unit was telling me that the reservoir was empty so I grabbed my bucket and was filling it up. Keep in mind, my reservoir is black and is near the back of my stand (not visibile unless you're crawling under there). I trusted the Osmolator and set it to fill up the full 5 gallons. Shortly after, my Apex leak detectors started sounding the alarm. I had overfilled the reservoir with just 2 gallons of water...it clearly wasn't empty. Luckily I was standing there and it didn't cause much issue. That's why I water-proofed the bottom of my stand after all.

Thinking this was a one time fluke, I let it ride. Checked it this morning, same story. Osmolator tells me the reservoir is empty when it's clearly not.

I don't know the logic parameters for the control unit but I assume it's pump performance based in that, it commands the pump ON and if it's not bringing the water level up, the controller assumes there is no water in the reservoir?

Please give me a little insight on where to go from here. Thanks!

 

[rvitko]

Their is no sensor system for the reservoir being empty. The Osmolator has a 10 minute timer, if no fill is registered in 10 minutes, the too low light comes on and the system shuts down. The purpose of this is not necesarily to protect the pump from running dry, the main reason is that if it is taking more than 10 minutes to register full, likely the tank is leaking or the top off hose is no longer attached and something is wrong, pumping more is just going to make matters worse. It has nothing to do with the pump, it is only a timer of run time.

My best guess is the pump is not primed, tip it upside down to purge out any air in the pump, when they run dry or are first installed and air pocket in the pump can prevent it from priming.

 

[Pastey]

I knew there was no sensor for empty/filled reservoir. I was trying to get a handle on the logic of the controller to pinpoint the issue.

I'll give the priming a shot when I get home and report back. I also want to double check the connector that connects the pump to the control unit...maybe one/both of those pins are loose or making poor contact.Thanks for the tip.

 

[rvitko]

If that connector is rusty, I would replace it, keep an eye on that, over time high resistance can burn out the controller, keep me posted.

 

[Pastey]

No rust but it was most certainly a poor connection. Got home yesterday and it was still telling me that my reservoir was low. Went to the connector and wiggled the wires, pump kicked on. Primed it just to make sure and noticed the flow was weak. Further wire wiggling gave me a strong pump. Weak/slow pumping due to poor connection was likely the culprit.

 

[rvitko]

OK, good that it is resolved.