Osmolator not turning pump on

[ronbis]

I bought my osmolator just over two years ago (of course warranty is two years) and have only had minor problems with the sensor getting dirty. However while I was out of town last week, it apparently broke. This is what it's doing:

The green light is on when the level is good, when it drops the green light goes away, but the yellow "pump on" light doesn't turn on. After a while the flashing red low water level light comes on. So it appears there is an internal relay not working. Is it toast? If it is repairable anybody know how much that would be or how long I'd be without it?

Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

Most of the time this is caused by a short in the lead to the pump or a dead pump. Check that the connector for the pump is not corroded or wet or shorted by salt creep and try connecting the bare leads of the pump briefly to a 9V battery, if the pump doesn't come on, you just need a new pump.

 

[ronbis]

Roger,

Thanks. I couldn't find a 9V so I used 6 AA's instead. The pump came on.

 

[rvitko]

If that connector is clean and free of any corrosion, send it in. If the connector is looking rough, you can pick one up at any Radio Shack or Lowes, they are referred to as European connectors or as Terminal Blocks. Any short on the lead to the pump will trip a power control device on the controller that kills power to the pump, this is done so that the pump cannot use so much power the controller would have no power to run its safety and logic functions.

If you end up sending it in, include a receipt, return address and phone number and I would suggest sending the pump and power supply just to be sure. Be careful if the pump has any water in it as in shipping it could get on the controller, I recommend placing the pump in a bag with the bare wire leads sticking out to minimize any risk of water getting on electrical parts in shipping.

 

[ronbis]

I don't think it's still under warranty. I'm sure I don't have the receipt for that. I just looked up my old order on marinedepot and it was ordered on 09/24/08. I don't have a receipt, but I could print out my marinedepot order page. Is there an shipping address in the manual or something?

I didn't see any corrosion. I will look again. Is there open-circuit protection also?

Thanks!

 

[rvitko]

There is no open circuit protection, only protection from a short or overload, in an open circuit the normal 10 minutes shutdown would come on after 10 minutes.

Send repairs to:

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

Be sure to include a return address and phone number.