Osmolator 5017 issues

[Greysoul]

I recently set up a Tunze Osmolator that's been dry for a couple years, as I recall it used to work fine, but now it's just... not.

When I set it up I cannot get the optical sensor to detect the water level. It was touchy before, now it won't work at all.

I've managed to verify light isn't an issue (it fails in complete darkness)

I suspect the sensor is defective. Looking at specs and images of other opto-electrical sensors, the prism/encapsulation on this sensor appears internally flawed (there are bubbles in the resin/encapsulation, I don't know if it's always been there, this hasn't been an issue in the past)

Any help would be appreciated.

-Doug

 

[rvitko]

Bubbles would not likely be a cause but the sensor may be defective, the sealing resin is just waterproofing and bubbles in it are not likely to interfere with function.

Do you know roughly how old it is?

 

[Greysoul]

My old roommate says it's actually only about 8-9 months old (I swear it was in our tank like 3 years ago). He got it from Marine Depot. I have it now in a gear/furniture swap (a roommate divorce is always such messy business, but hey, no kids and we can still hang out!).

If pics help:

Here's the sensor

and the board

Sticker on the back of the board says:
NE 47-11-
000933

Lemme know, would love to get it running... just moved my office tank and don't have my old ATO option any more :\

 

[rvitko]

Please send it in, it is definitely newer, post Nov 2011, that is the current style of circuit board and it has a computer connection and we can calibrate it and run some tests we could not do on the older ones. The bubble is under one of the LED's and seems to be in the plastic housing, not in the fill resin so it is possibly an issue. One issue of concern I see is if you look on the board above the power socket, their looks to be a small amount of water damage, probably from plugging in a wet power supply, I assume this is minor as if it was a bigger issue it would cycle off and on or not work at all. It is something to look out for as the power supply is very easily damaged by corrosion.

Include a note with return address and phone number in the box.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753

 

[Greysoul]

I already checked that, I believe it's heat damage from whoever assembled the board. Will get it out in tomorrows mail, thanks!

Also, I will be in Austin May 10-14th for an event, any chance I could check out the shop and pick it up in person?

 

[rvitko]

Sure, we are closed weekends and Mondays tend to be on the crazy side but Tuesday or Wed is fine. It isn't anything glamorous, just a 4000 sqft warehouse.

 

[Greysoul]

it has a computer connection and we can calibrate it and run some tests we could not do on the older ones.

I suspected that was a jtag header, but didn't wanna go poking around.

I'll get it all packed up and looking pretty, goes out tomorrow.

Thanks again, and I'll hit you up if I can make it over. The event I'm attending is free and open to the public, it is at the PEC across town-ish. If you're free Saturday or Sunday come check it out: http://armadilloartglassinitiative.com/

-Doug

 

[rvitko]

That is pretty cool, we have a local customer who makes some really nice fish and marine theme sculptures from glass. I have a full weekend with Mothers day stuff and a wedding to go to.

 

[Greysoul]

Roger, thanks for getting my Osmolator fixed up, it's working great now.

Also thanks for the tour of the shop, always good to see where this stuff comes from.

-Doug

 

[rvitko]

Thank you for visiting, I am glad you had a good time in Austin.

 

[110GTJ]

Help please

Help please

Good morning so I have had my osmolator for about 3 1/2 years or so. I use to have it in my large tank, and it sat dry for about a year. Now I set it up on my 40 gallon cube, and all of a sudden the optical sensor will not trigger the pump to fill. Everything else seems to be working perfect. The only this I have done was opened the unit to make sure all looked good. I'm hoping it's a simple fix. Any help would be amazing thanks in advance.