Osmolator alarm going off

[LowCel]

Well I was woke up by the alarm on my osmolator at about 2:00 this morning, what a way to wake up. Anyway, I don't know why it is going off, I just know that it won't quit. I left it unplugged overnight to see if it would reset itself, that didn't work. I checked all of the connections and everything is fine.

The high water light is staying on constant and the low water indicator is just a slow steady flash. Any idea what the problem could be? Looks like I'm going to be topping off the old fashioned way for a few days, which really sucks.

 

[rvitko]

Is their anything magnetic near the float switch or a new ballast or pump sharing the same circuit? If you added any new gadgets this is a likely culprit. Also check if the float is stuck or perhaps a snail or crab climbed on it and moved it. The other usual cause is a wet circuit board but check the other possibilities first.

 

[LowCel]

Haven't added any new equipment to the tank for months. Float isn't stuck, that was the first thing I checked.

 

[rvitko]

I just got one back today with the same complaint and one single trickle of salt water had gone across the board, after I washed it down with contact cleaner it worked perectly, you might open it up and check the board, if it is much beyond that and their is any green or white corrosion it is likely destroyed.

 

[LowCel]

If that is the problem will I have to buy a new one or can I send it back to be repaired?

 

[rvitko]

If it is beyond electronics cleaner you will have to buy a new one. I can offer you a discount on the control unit portion only so it will be about half of a whole new osmolator but open it and check it out first and try a good electronics cleaner. Unfortunately with the miniaturized surface mount components repair is virtually impossible outside of basic sensors and diodes.

 

[LowCel]

Thank you, I'll take it apart tonight and look at it. If I need the control portion will I just have to send the unit back to you to have it wired up since it looks like the float and other sensor are hard wired?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to see what I am most likely going to be getting into. I figure with my luck it got wet since I do have the control unit mounted under the tank beside the sump.

 

[rvitko]

They come with all the sensors, you would just plug in the transformer and the pump.

 

[LowCel]

Well I took it apart and I don't see any discolorization or anything that looks like it has gotten wet. What is my next step?

 

[rvitko]

Send it in.

Tunze USA
1304 Monica St
Austin TX 78758

 

[LowCel]

Should I send the pump in as well so you can check it out?

 

[rvitko]

Yes, also incllude the transformer.

 

[jnb]

do you think it is a good idea to zip bag up the osmolator (sp) controller to make sure salt water does not get it

Yes, also incllude the transformer.

 

[rvitko]

I have done that in the past, and boy is it ugly. I would rather put it in a utility box or better yet just position it outside the stand.