Pulsing Stopped

[cwhite]

Hello,

Today my pulsing feature of my controler stopped working. I check all wiring and everything is in order. The photocell is not hooked up. No water or moisture has gotten close to the unit.

I think the unit is defective. I have had the controller less than an a year so I assume it will be covered under warranty. Any suggestions before I go through the hassle of sending it in to be repair or replaced.
If the unit needs to be serviced can I send it to you directly or do I work through Marine Depot?

Throughout the day I have seen the pulsing come in intermittely, but just not consistently.

Chris

 

[rvitko]

What model pump and controller is it? The number one cause is salt on the photocell jack and even one drop will do this. Cleaning the socket with electronics cleaner will generally remove the salt/corrosion causing the short. If this is a multicontroller it may be accidently switched into another mode, in sequence mode pulsing is intermittent. On either controller turning the knob too far to the right is off, it could be on the border of 6 sec/pulse and off.

You would deal directly with me on warranty, but if it is a non warranty issue you will be charged for any parts/labor and shipping so please confirm all connections, try powering down the unit and starting over using the pump plug to unpower it. Make sure it isn't salt or water damage, one drop falling down a line is all it takes and it is obvious by a green corrosion. Check all the knob and switch positions. Make sure the foodtimer isn't hung up. Basically if what you describe is correct it will be a first so I think it is highly unlikely, especially months after successful operation.

 

[cwhite]

Thanks Roger. I ended up using some forced air which seems to have fixed the problem.

 

[rvitko]

Cool! Let me know if there is another issue. BTW I didn't mean to be intimidating. I am the only one here and it has been difficult of late to keep up and last week I recieved two perfectly good items for repair that the only problem was a switch setting or some simple thing that kids had done when the owner wasn't looking. It is hard for me to keep up as it is so I try to avoid adding these unnessecary reviews and reshipping to my list.

 

[cwhite]

Roger, no need to apologize. I do have a question though...why are the controllers made in such a way that they continuously have issues with either moisture or salt causing malfunctions.

The pumps and controller are such a great product. I am just surprised that they haven't been upgrade to deal with this issue.

Oblivously I need to relocate the controller to a more sercure area to leviate the challenge. Currently I have attached to the inside of the cabinet door.

 

[rvitko]

It is very difficult to make controllers water tight without a tremendous increase in cost. Over ten years ago we made waterproof controllers, they cost double what they do now and it just was impossible to sell them. For that matter we still offer a waterproof customization. The controller and driver are sealed in a box with a clear front panel and a special waterproof foodtimer adapter. To get this work done costs $150 per pump and generally only zoos and public aquaria request this option but it can be done. Further, people like the ability to detach the cords for wiring and plugs will always have this weakness. We have recently phased out plugs on most equipment and the 7095 will have a hard wired photocell for this very reason. It is just hard to find a medium between consumer wants and perfect quality- the perfect product will cost to much and lack some of the convenience features.

 

[cwhite]

Makes sense. Thanks for the insight. Have a great day.