Osmolator false alarm

[Ryan009]

I've had my Osmolator running fine for about 4 months.

I had it unplugged for about a week while I was redoing some of my plumbing on the tank. Now when I plug it in, I immediately get the "Too High" alarm and the light for pump flashes occassionaly. Is this some type of error code?

I cleaned the floar sensor and the float itself moves smoothly on the post. Nothing I do seems to clear the alarm even though the water level is about an inch below the float, much less pushing the float up to the alarm position.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[rvitko]

It is an error code, it usually means the controller got wet or a sensor is broken. High levels of magnetic interference will also do this-i.e. controller is near a large pump or a ballast.

 

[Ryan009]

Well I know the problem is magnetic interfeerence. How can I tell if it the controller or the sensor. I don't think the controller got wet??? Would this be under warranty?

 

[rvitko]

If it got wet it would not be under warranty. If it is magnetic interference you need to move the device causing the interference. The float switch works on a magnet and the osmolator has a relay which also works on magnetism. Any strong field near these parts will cause this. I suggest trying the osmolator in your kitchen using a bowl of water to test the sensor function. This way you are away from the magnetic fields of the other aquarium equipment. If it works you just need to find the source of the field and move the source or the osmolator away from it.

 

[Ryan009]

I reasonably confident it's not a magnetic field problem because it was working fine for a while and I didn't change anything.

However, while the "box" never got wet (its mounted on a wall away from all the water), the connector where the connection between the pump and box is made, did fall into the makeup water. Did that short something out in the box?

If so, is there a piece that I can fix or is it completely shot?

 

[rvitko]

It is possible, I have seen water wick up the wires into the controller but it may just be overloaded from the corrosion. Try cutting back the wire to the pump until you reach fresh copper wire that is not blackened. You can buy the connector at Radio Shack, it is called a European Connector, they come in a brick of 12 and you will just snap off 2.

 

[superedge88]

I gotta say WOW, this is true customer service in action. This kind of attention paid to an issue makes your company great rvitko. Big thumbs up!