Roger, a fellow reefer posed this question to me in another forum and I don't have an answer for him so I decided to post it here for some help.
Osmolator problem
- Thread starter mr9iron
- Start date
If this is on a very small tank, like less than 30 gallons with no sump, then he probably needs to just add a small valve to the hose, drip irrigation valves are ideal, but a small plastic air valve will also work. This way he can reduce the flow so the 10 second run will not be of any consequence. He should also check though the sensor isn't attracting air bubbles. If it is working properly and it is just the 10 second delay, for the duration of the delay the yellow and green LED's on the controller will be lit at the same time.
Thanks Roger, I will post this for him. :thumbsup:
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Hi Roger,
It was me mr9iron is helping.
I have the 28G JBJ nanocube tank.
I didnt quite understand the drip irrigation valve. Essentially do I restrict flow so that the rate of water flow is reduced hence the 10 second action is a non issue? Would this damage the pump?
Also, another issue I have is that if I turn the power off and turn it back on, each time this happens the unit pumps water into the tank for 10 seconds regardless of the fact that the water level is fine. Whilst my electricity cutting out many times over a day is rare, such an occurance would mean the tank may overflow or at least salinity is greatly reduced. Is this built into the design or is my unit faulty in this way?
Many thanks for your help. I am going on holiday soon, hence why I bought the unit, but need it working 100%. Regards.
It was me mr9iron is helping.
I have the 28G JBJ nanocube tank.
I didnt quite understand the drip irrigation valve. Essentially do I restrict flow so that the rate of water flow is reduced hence the 10 second action is a non issue? Would this damage the pump?
Also, another issue I have is that if I turn the power off and turn it back on, each time this happens the unit pumps water into the tank for 10 seconds regardless of the fact that the water level is fine. Whilst my electricity cutting out many times over a day is rare, such an occurance would mean the tank may overflow or at least salinity is greatly reduced. Is this built into the design or is my unit faulty in this way?
Many thanks for your help. I am going on holiday soon, hence why I bought the unit, but need it working 100%. Regards.
Yes, you are just restricting the flow of the pump, it will not harm the pump to do this.
What you describe is normal, it is due to a capacitor charging up which runs the optic sensor, it shouldn't take the full 10 seconds, but likely 2 or 3. It is a distinct function from the 10 second delay in that it isn't part of the programming of the unit, it just happens because the optic sensor doesn't have enough power to "see" for the first couple seconds when power is applied. If it takes longer than about 3 seconds this could mean the capacitor or optic sensor is faulty.
What you describe is normal, it is due to a capacitor charging up which runs the optic sensor, it shouldn't take the full 10 seconds, but likely 2 or 3. It is a distinct function from the 10 second delay in that it isn't part of the programming of the unit, it just happens because the optic sensor doesn't have enough power to "see" for the first couple seconds when power is applied. If it takes longer than about 3 seconds this could mean the capacitor or optic sensor is faulty.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Hi Roger, I timed the off/on cycle this morning. ie when I switched it on, the pump ran for 19 seconds 1st try, 2nd try: 4 seconds, 3rd try 18.6 seconds exactly before the pump was switched off. During this time, the yellow pump light was on, and the green light was on.
This cannot be a normal function of the unit? I think the sensor mus be faulty, because even though I have cleaned it and no bubbles are present, when it tops up, sometimes water is topped up way above the tip of the optical sensor leading to it being completely submerged, it then stop sometimes before it water hits the safety sensor, but sometimes the safety sensor is triggered off.
This cannot be a normal function of the unit? I think the sensor mus be faulty, because even though I have cleaned it and no bubbles are present, when it tops up, sometimes water is topped up way above the tip of the optical sensor leading to it being completely submerged, it then stop sometimes before it water hits the safety sensor, but sometimes the safety sensor is triggered off.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Hello again Roger. I had the faulty controller/sensor replaced by a new controller/sensor. The new one does not exhibit the problem I mentioned above, in fact if I power it off and then turn it back on, it doesnt make the pump run for 19 seconds like the faulty unit did.
The only issue I had with the new controller is that the first time I turned it on the empty red led at the bottom and the red led at the top came on together. The description on the booklet said that if these two red leds light up and there is also an alarm sound (which there was), this means the controller has water in it and needs to be sent in for repair etc.
Well, I know full well I didnt drop it in water etc. So I just turned the power off and switched it on a few mins later. It just worked fine from then on. I checked everthing this morning and its been working fine.
I also switched it off and then on and the controller didnt exhibit any problem.
My question to you is could these red leds coming on been a fluke of the unit being turned on the first time?
I am going away next week and dont want to leave things to this top up if you feel it may become faulty. I will just arrange someone to look after the tank.
But because it has been working fine after the second time it was switched on I feel its going to be ok. But just wanted your opinion on this as well for reassurance sake.
Many thanks.
The only issue I had with the new controller is that the first time I turned it on the empty red led at the bottom and the red led at the top came on together. The description on the booklet said that if these two red leds light up and there is also an alarm sound (which there was), this means the controller has water in it and needs to be sent in for repair etc.
Well, I know full well I didnt drop it in water etc. So I just turned the power off and switched it on a few mins later. It just worked fine from then on. I checked everthing this morning and its been working fine.
I also switched it off and then on and the controller didnt exhibit any problem.
My question to you is could these red leds coming on been a fluke of the unit being turned on the first time?
I am going away next week and dont want to leave things to this top up if you feel it may become faulty. I will just arrange someone to look after the tank.
But because it has been working fine after the second time it was switched on I feel its going to be ok. But just wanted your opinion on this as well for reassurance sake.
Many thanks.
It is always best to have someone stop by and check on things, the Osmolator isn't intended to be left unattended for long periods of time. Water damage is only one of the possible causes, a magnetic field near the controller can also cause this (switching in the relay which is a magnetic switch) as can a high float switch with the optic sensor being out of water (conflicting signal of too high and too low). My guess would be it was one of these two that happened during set up.
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