Osmolator Problems

[LoneStarSA]

I have been trying to set my new osmolator all weekend long and have had nothing but trouble. This is a brand new unit and it will run every couple of seconds. It runs so much that the sensor gets buried underwater in no time and will keep filling until the float sensor trips. The optical sensor is clean and it is located in a 'no turbulance' zone in the sump. There is no light under the stand to interfere with the sensor. I have used a Tunze osmolator years ago and had great success with it. I come to think now that this one is just a piece of junk. Any ideas Roger? I am so close to just ripping it out of my system. :mad2:

 

[rvitko]

New optic sensors like any new plastic, has a strong tendency to repel water and attract air. Rinse the sensor in hot soapy water, but do not scrub it or scratch it in anyway be sure it is positioned away from any source of microbubbles. Be sure you rinse it well after the soapy water rinse, this will reduce the hydrophobic properties of the plastic.

 

[carman9941]

I would like to add.... make sure you arent getting a siphon

 

[LoneStarSA]

I'll try that out Roger. Thanks


I ran the hose in a specific maner to prevent any siphon action. I am also going to try and see if raising the sump level a little higher helps.

 

[LoneStarSA]

Ok Roger, I have since cleaned the optical senor gently with soapy water. I reconnected the unit last week and it ran for a day......before it ran constantly and filled the sump until the float valve kicked off the unit. I turned off the osmo so that it would not affect my salinity any further. I just tried testing the optical sensor both in the sump and in a glass of tank water and it is doing the exact same thing. I think the optical sensor is NOT working at all. I couldn't even get the unit to register the water level near the optical sensor. I would like to get in touch with you and see what we can do to fix this. I spent big money on this unit and have not been satisfied by far....... BTW I bought this earlier this month from MarineDepot. Please help!

 

[rvitko]

Please send it in, I will figure it out and get it repaired ASAP. I would like to get every part except the mounting hardware for testing.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753

 

[LoneStarSA]

Thank you Roger.

I went ahead and sent you a pm with my personal info and how I am going to mail it off. Such great customer service. I work in the manufacturing world and deal with this kind of stuff a lot (both on the manufacturing side and customer service side).

 

[Halfmoon61]

I've got the same problem and got it from Marine Depot. Perhaps a bad batch of sensors? I'm going to try the soapy water cure and see if that helps. Right now I'm thinking I should have stayed with the regular float switch, but no I've got to have modern technology! lol

 

[Halfmoon61]

Rinsed with soapy water and working so far.

 

[Jay180reef]

I'm getting the same problem with my brand new osmolator, green solid, won't fill when optical sensor is exposed to air. The pump goes on for about 10 seconds when the power is turned on , then it quits permanently.

I'll try washing the sensor in warm soapy water...

 

[Jay180reef]

Washing the optical sensor in warm soapy water didn't help...any other suggestions? The problem is likely the sensor because the safety float triggers the alarm and the high water led. I checked the sensor's wiring and they all seem to be connected and siliconed.

 

[Jay180reef]

Also gonna try the vinegar bath...I was reading more threads about osmolator problems and came across the emf issue. My return pump is a few feet away and an Icecap ballast is 2 feet away. I'll try the osmolator away from all this and report back.

 

[Jay180reef]

No success moving the osmolator away from any emf source. Must be a sensor problem. So I'll send it all to

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753

Should I call first or anything?

 

[rvitko]

Are you in Calgary,Alberta Canada? If so it needs to go to Tunze Canada (Xenia) we only handle the US sales and repairs. If you are in the US, it should be sent to us.

 

[Jay180reef]

Ya, I'm in Canada, I'll PM Xenia
Thanks