osmolator pump

[GROWSZOAS]

i have an osmolator,had it almost a year and the pump will run for about 1 min, the it just kinda peters out and stops even though the orange light is still on and the water level is still low???????????????????????????

 

[rvitko]

It is most likely not the pump, the controller has a sort of circuit breaker, it limits the amount of power the pump can draw before it is shut off. What you describe is that this control unit is being overloaded. Causes include corroded terminals, oxidized wiring, very short tubing runs, a bad control unit or a bad pump, but that is the least likely culprit. Check your connections and check that the hose run is not very short.

 

[saltydog1]

Re: osmolator pump

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15049194#post15049194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GROWSZOAS
i have an osmolator,had it almost a year and the pump will run for about 1 min, the it just kinda peters out and stops even though the orange light is still on and the water level is still low???????????????????????????

Same here

 

[rvitko]

Please send it in,

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[saltydog1]

Well, for the last few days, the pump has been working fine. I think maybe it was airlocked. I think the last time I was refilling the resevoir, the pump was running while I was dumping water in. Still can't figure out why it would only run for about a minute and then shut off before the level was reached. I would just unplug it from power and plug it back in and it would start back up. Repeated that until the correct level was reached. It has worked fine ever since. I ordered a backup pump anyways, as they are inexpensive (thankfully) and it's a good idea to have one just in case. The Osmolator has been the perfect solution for my top off. Very accurate.

Thanks Roger !!

 

[saltydog1]

Oh, yeah. The hose run is short, like two to three feet to my sump, but it runs through the entire stock length of hose that is coiled up. I have had it set up this way about a year now and no problems up til now. Could this be a problem?

Thanks again !!

 

[rvitko]

If you run the hose higher and check that the terminals on the connector are clean and free of corrosion, that will likely solve the problem. My guess is as the terminals have aged and the pump, it now draws about 900mA and the controller will only let it get 800mA before it shuts it down. FWIW, we now use a 1200mA limiter, the power supply we use now can provide 1600mA and the old one could only provide 800mA.

 

[rvitko]

If this continues, as long as you have the newer power supply, we can up the current limiter if you send it in.

 

[saltydog1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15097147#post15097147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
If you run the hose higher and check that the terminals on the connector are clean and free of corrosion, that will likely solve the problem. My guess is as the terminals have aged and the pump, it now draws about 900mA and the controller will only let it get 800mA before it shuts it down. FWIW, we now use a 1200mA limiter, the power supply we use now can provide 1600mA and the old one could only provide 800mA.

Thanks, Roger.
I have the 1600ma (11v) power supply. Is it possible that I may have the 1200ma limiter also? Is there any way I can check this?
I guess you mean running the hose up toward the top of the tank and back down to the sump (creating head pressure). I can't mount the sensors in the display because the level only drops in the sump, as you know.
I will also re-check the terminals.

Thanks again.

 

[rvitko]

The sensors stay in the sump, only the top off water goes to the tank and it will drain to the sump, everything will function just like it does now. It is very difficult to tell the difference between the PTC's, we changed power supplies about 9 months before we upgraded the PTC. If the unit was bought before November 2008, you likely have the older PTC.

 

[saltydog1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15097555#post15097555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
The sensors stay in the sump, only the top off water goes to the tank and it will drain to the sump, everything will function just like it does now. It is very difficult to tell the difference between the PTC's, we changed power supplies about 9 months before we upgraded the PTC. If the unit was bought before November 2008, you likely have the older PTC.

Sorry Roger,
I don't know what I was thinking . Brain fart, I guess. I'll do that. Thanks.

 

[GROWSZOAS]

Just got my osmolator back
thanks roger you guys are the best

 

[dangerrrr]

it appears as though my controller is doing this also.

it looks like my terminals are corroded. Is there a solution to this or do i need a new controller?

 

[rvitko]

You can buy the terminals at Radio Shack as a "European Connector". Cut back the wires until you get to clean shiny copper wire and then resolder or "tin" the ends to keep them protected and make sure you get a good connection.