Osmolator problem.

[PowermanKW]

Two days now I have come home and my ATO did not top off. The red "low alarm" light is lit. The level is about an inch low, pump works fine.

Yesterday I unplugged it and plugged it back in. Pump came on ran for about 6 minutes shut off at proper level.

Same thing today. I don't understand why it is not coming on when low. Plus, it isn't like there was a problem that it pumped for tem minutes and did not make level and tuned off. It takes about 5-6 minutes to get it right.

Any thoughts?

It also seems like a I have a poor power connection. Plugging it isn takes some fiddling. Power does not come straight on. Seems week. Is this normal?

 

[rvitko]

The too low light means the pump ran or was given a signal to run for 10 minutes and the tank was not topped off. Common causes are; a bad pump, weak connections to the pump due to corrosion or a loose connection or an air bubble jamming the pump or a kink in the hose. After 10 minutes the osmolator gives up, with the logic that your tank must be leaking or the reservoir is empty.

 

[PowermanKW]

I understand that. But when I unplug it and plug it back in, it does not take 5 minutes to top off and it works perfectly. That is why it is puzzling me. I have had it for about 2 months and it has worked flawlessly in that time.

 

[rvitko]

I don't have an answer. I need more information, you are welcome to send it in. But it sounds like it tops off normally and just occasionally doesn't work. This would lead me to believe that air in the pump is the culprit, especially if it occurs after you have refilled the reservoir.

 

[PowermanKW]

Possible. There are some bubbles here and there. I could watch for that.

What about the power issue. Seems to me that would not be it since unplugging it and plugging it back in gets it to work.

Do you think I have a loose power connection? When I plug mine back in for what ever reason, it seems like it is not right. I have to jiggle it around. Usually the lights come on slow then brighten. Is that how it is, or is that wrong.

 

[rvitko]

I mean a bubble in the pump, if your reservoir runs dry the pump can basically get an air lock, run 10 minutes and do nothing.

The lights do come on slowly, it may take 1 second to power up. I would suspect either the tip of the power supply is corroded or the pins it engages are loose. It is easy to fix the loose pins. You just open the controller and bend them very slightly.

 

[PowermanKW]

I knew what you meant.

Thanks.

It did "seem" like it was right that it powers on slowly. I just didn't know. If the problem ever gets worse I figured I could open it and fix it easily.

Sounds like it is doing OK. Just need to watch it to see if I can get it. It has been working well so it is probably a glitch. It is just a little concerning since i have baffles in my sump/fuge and top off to the return section. It is sort of critical it stays topped off, but I can go a day without problems.

These vendor forums are such a great resource I just like to ask to know. I appreciate your input. I'll go back to enjoying my Osmolator unless it continues or gets worse.