Osmolator problem

[Humongous]

I've just installed a new osmolator last night. I came home to the high level alarm going off an the float was dry. I read previous posts about magnetic interference so I removed it and held it away from the tank and the alarm still sounds. Anybody have any suggestions, I leave for vacation in the morning.

 

[shawnz28]

Wish I could offer something, have you tried resetting it(power cycling) after moving it ? Are you holding it upside down by chance?.... the mount should be at the bottom.

 

[rvitko]

Make sure the float is pointed in the right direction. Make sure the controller and float are not near any magnetic or electromagnetic fields. Ballasts and large pumps are the most likely culprits. Was the float raised by the water when the alarm went off, can you describe where the water level was in relation to the sensors. Keep in mind that the same alarm will sound and the too high and too low lights will come on if the pump ran for 10 minutes without topping off the tank, this is a probable culprit on a new set up where the pump may not have been primed or may have been jammed by a large air bubble inside the pump.

 

[Humongous]

Well the sensors are about three inches apart from each other. I checked by pulling the assembly out of the water and it still alarms. The alarm was going with the high level float dry, no water near it. I moved the float back and forth and still the alarm was constant( This seems really odd). Power cycled the unit a couple of times, same problems.

Now the sensors are not near any large pumps or ballasts so I've ruled out magnetic interference. Since you mentioned the alarms triggering if the pump does not top off within 10 minutes I'll have to check that when I get back from vacation. It has to be the problem, I just don't see how a brand new unit would fault right out of the box. I'll let you know the outcome.

Thanks for the help!

 

[rvitko]

When new the first time the pump runs you should tip it upside down to let the air out, the hose length and termination also plays a role as it is possible to trap air in the hose with certain runs.

 

[Humongous]

I figured out what the problem was so I'm posting in the event anyone else may have this problem. I checked everything again but was still having the problems but it only seemed to occur when the lights came on. No ballasts or pumps near the controller, it's on a separate circuit. Then I saw the culprit. The power supply line to my icecap ballast runs a few inches above the controller. The field is tripping the controller. I moved it away from the line and no more alarms. So I guess you can add powerlines in the checklist for troubleshooting.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[rvitko]

Thanks! I have heard of past incidents where just being connected to the same socket as a ballast causes problems, it seems the cord and wiring act like an antenna for the EMF.