Tinze Osmolator 3155 Issues

[lordofthereef]

I started having issues with my Tunze Osmolator about two days ago. Water level would drop significantly, but the sensor would not be triggered. I removed the sensor and gave it cleaning. It did have some buildup, but a vinegar bath and a good scrubbing with a toothbrush has it looking brand new. Now my issues is the opposite. It just keeps filling until the emergency float switch is triggered, but not all the time. I loved this thing and praised it for having never failed me. Now it's being incredibly random. Feeling a little :headwalls: here. I have completely taken it off line and am resorting to topping off manually until I can get some advice as I do not want to harm the livestock.

 

[lordofthereef]

Bump

 

[rvitko]

Can you give me some background on how old the controller is and the size of your set up? Sump or sumpless?

 

[lordofthereef]

It's not more than a year old. Using it in a biocube 29, leftmost section.

 

[rvitko]

Was it in a bigger tank previously? What you describe would be normal on a small tank and a simple mod would fix this.

The osmolator intentionally overfills for 5-10 seconds after a fill is registered, you will see on the display that the green "level" light comes on and the yellow "pump on" light remains on for 5-10 seconds. This is done to minimize the number of cycles in a day and the resulting pump noise. On a tank of less than 40 gallons, this can be enough to raise the float, it is about 1 cup of extra water. All that is needed is a small valve to reduce how much water is added, a small drip irrigation valve added to the end of the hose and choked back a little will solve this.

 

[lordofthereef]

I don't know if it was on a larger tank previous to mine, but it has been on the BC29 for about 5 months now and only just now started having this issue. I currently have it in a bucket of fresh water with a lid on it. Even in there the dang thing randomly turns on. It is a fairly closed environment, no water movement, and virtually no evaporation. (I just heard it turn on in the room next to mine which is what primpted me to check this forum).

 

[rvitko]

It sounds like something is really wrong then, send it in and I will check it out and figure out the issue.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[lordofthereef]

Just to add some information, I went ahead and grabbed a gang valve to restrict the flow. It's doing the same thing. Keep filling until the emergency float is triggered.

I'd be happy to send it in. Do I need to do anything special? Does it need to be in its original box? Any information I need to add? Attn: Roger Vitko perhaps? Thanks for all of your help so far by the way.

 

[lordofthereef]

Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

[rvitko]

You don't need to include any attention to or the original box. In this case I just need the controller and as note with your return address and phone number and a brief description of the issue (or just print these posts and include them).

 

[lordofthereef]

Thanks Roger! I will get this shipped today or tomorrow!

 

[jbonez]

i just got a tunze osmolater today how far off or in the water does the optic sensor go? also the wite i guess float valve thats next to it should the water be right under it or touching it a lil???

 

[lordofthereef]

i just got a tunze osmolater today how far off or in the water does the optic sensor go? also the wite i guess float valve thats next to it should the water be right under it or touching it a lil???

The float will vary. If the water is touching that's fine. It doesn't NEED to be though. Based on Roger's explaination before, the water level can vary some due to how long the pump is allowed on (8 seconds past "full" sensor). If you have a large compartment that you are filling, the water may not touch the float at all. The smaller the compartment, the more the float will rise. If the compartment is too small, it will trigger the float (which can be remedied by chocking back the output a bit to reduce the amount of water being pumped in that 8 seconds.

 

[lordofthereef]

Hey Roger,
Sorry for taking so long. Been busy with the winter holiday stuffs (who isn't?!). This is going out today USPS. I slapped a tracking number below. I removed the pump and didn't include the power supply. I figured those weren't needed, and it let me save a bit on shipping.

Thanks a ton!

420787539101128882300030575065

 

[lordofthereef]

Looks like it's out for delivery! I realize it may take a bit before you can get to it. I am just excited to get this working again

Please let me know what I owe for repairs/shipping and I can send it your way ASAP. Will have the inlaws over during Christmas so the less tank maintenance the better!

 

[rvitko]

I expect if I get it today, I can get it done tomorrow.

 

[rvitko]

Actually, it has arrived, just put the addresses together.

 

[lordofthereef]

Actually, it has arrived, just put the addresses together.

Excellent. Thanks Roger

 

[lordofthereef]

Well, I CAN NOT express my feeling of gratitude enough on this thread. I had a package waiting on my doorstep yesterday and did not get a chance to post last night. See below what was inside. I am literally speechless. It didn't cost me a dime! Thank you SO SO SO much Tunze, and of course Roger. You guys are at the top of my list customer service-wise.

<a href="http://s693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/LordoftheReef/?action=view&current=1233efad.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/LordoftheReef/1233efad.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>

 

[rvitko]

Thank you, just to let you know what I found, there was some corrosion damage to the power connection, but this could not cause the issue, it seems a timer chip had gone out, but I am sending it to the factory today for further testing.