Osmolator problem/question

will16

will16

New member
Hi,

I just added an osmolator to my system. First day or so, worked great. Water level was rock steady. Last night I checked the level and the water had risen to above my baffles. The optical sensor was completely submerged but the mechanical float had not yet tripped. The funny thing is that the pump was not running. It somehow managed to turn itself off. Don't think it hit the 10 min cutoff time.

I drained water to below the fill line and turned the osmolator back on. It filled and stopped correctly. I left the unit off overnight.

Just read a few posts about mounting the controller near electronics. Could this be my problem? Here is my set up:

105303414.jpg


Looks ok, then after reading the other posts, realized this could be my problem. The other side of the wall that the controller is mounted on looks like this.

101314389.jpg


All of my electronics are mounted on that wall. Probably not a good idea? Could this be the problem? Going to move it to test anyway. Just wanted get confirmation?

Thanks,
Will
 
Magnetic fields are the big thing to watch for with these, but it is more for the float. Another thing to consider is the new eye sensor, bubbles get attracted to it easily when new, a bath in warm soapy water usually gets the oils and such off the sensor so they dont stick. also with time it will subside on its own.
 
Thanks. I will clean the sensor and try moving the controller anyway.

One more question, what happens after the 10 minute cut off is reached? I know the timer will turn off the pump if it has been running for 10 minutes but what happens then? Will it start again by itself depending on the sensor? Or will it stay off until I have to do something?

Thanks,
Will
 
I have my float switch set to only 1 inch above the sensor so it will not add that much water if it fails to sense that the water has gone pasts it intended place - my osl has overfilled 3 times since I got it 3 or so years ago - sort of keeps me edgy - feel like I can not depend on it without additional safeguards - I don't like coming home to hear that alarm going off.
 
Thank you shawn.

jnb, I hear you. Really hoping that I can not have to worry about this. I lowered the float sensor as well. Have to see how it works with these adjustments. At least there are 2 safeguards to prevent a real big problem.
 
Ok, I think i figured out what is happening. Just caught it happening again. The pump is off but the fill line is still siphoning from the top off tank into the sump. Constant drip.

The top off reservoir is on the floor behind the tank and the sump is in the stand a little higher than the floor. The pump is on the floor of the reservoir and the fill line terminates above the height of the resevoir. I think the problem is that I did not cut the length of the fill line in case I wanted to relocate the resevoir. It is wound up behind the tank. I think I read somewhere not to cut the line too short as it could over drive the pump because there is no head pressure. Any suggestions on what to do in my situation? How short to cut the line?

Thanks
 
I was able to run mine in the past the way you have it with it rolled up and dont think that alone would cause the siphon but I had mine about 4-6" above the top of the filled reservoir. Can you simply raise the fill tube's output a bit more? Or possibly place the fill tube up to the tank? I have mine now filling into the overflow of my main tank and not the sump.
 
I'm a bit hesitant filling into the display. Wouldn't it be more accurate to fill into the same chamber that he sensor is in? If I fill in the display, wouldnt there be a lag before the level would rise in the sump?

Maybe if I elevated the entire rolled up line? That way it doesnt come out the top of the resevoir and then drop to the floor and then back up and in to the sump?

Thanks for your help btw.
 
your siphoning from your storage tank into your sump. keep the tube above the level of your storage tank and that keep it from happening again. i have mine discharge into a pvc pipe that drains into my sump. never have had a problem.
 
No I dont think you would have a problem filling the main tank, the manual actually recommends it for the reasons of your problem. The unit fills so slowly you would never notice the difference. Techincally all that would happen is the overflow would percieve more water and flow faster while the Osmolator is running. but again it only pumps a few GPH an hour so would never notice it.

z02554s PVC or ridgid tube idea is another good one that works well.
 
I have a pvc pipe fastened with tie wrap to anything available (my outflow from the overflow hose) with its top above the storage tank - and the lower end of the pipe a little above the waterline to the sump because I like to hear the water splash when the pump is running - makes me feel like things are right

- these pumps don't last forever (some say 2 year life span) and subjecting it to the headpressure of getting it up to the tank seems like it would cause more work for the pump and shorten its life - The top of pipe only needs to be higher than the storage tank water line's highest point (when filled). 1/4 of a inch will do - just enough to stop siphen -

Still, every now and again , my OSL does not stop pumping when it should - you are suppose to clean the sensor every so often. Like I said 3 times in as many years and the float switch stops it.
 
Though it seems you figured out your problem was the siphoning, I did some reading and seems my prior post was incorrect. I had thought it was only the float was the unit that needed more room from the magnetic fields but from a prior post there is apparently electromagnetic switches inside of the controller as well which can be effected by ballasts etc...
 
no, why would anyone?
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13684712#post13684712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AcroporAddict
Are you using a check valve between the osmolator pump and the sump?
Dave
Click to expand...
 
Hey jnb,

When yours does fail, what do you do to get it working again? Clean the sensor?

So far so good with mine since making the changes. Pretty sure the problem was the siphoning.

Thanks for everyones help,
Will
 
it fails when it wants to - at random as far as I can tell - maybe it has something to do with what might be in the water - it just keeps pumping beyond where it is suppose to (but stopped by the float vavle) - the solution is suppose to be wiping the end of the sensor with a warm clean nonabrasive cloth from time to time

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13685948#post13685948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by will16
Hey jnb,

When yours does fail, what do you do to get it working again? Clean the sensor?

So far so good with mine since making the changes. Pretty sure the problem was the siphoning.

Thanks for everyones help,
Will
Click to expand...
 
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