Trouble with Osmolator 3155

[jj5]

Recently I started having trouble with the ATO not filling. The controller light always stays green. I've cleaned the optical sensor and it will work during the cleaning process but in the sump it doesn't fill. If I cycle the unit off and on the pump does come on. The unit is many years old at this point but just failed while I was away. Any idea if this might be reparable or if it's just time to replace.

 

[rvitko]

A perpetual green light usually is just an optic sensor issue, if it is not too old (pre 2008) I would recommend repairing it by sending it in to get the optic sensor replaced ($28.80). If it is pre 2009, the odds that you will encounter further issues due to technical changes to the pump, power supply and just due to age are high, so I would then recommend replacing it. How did you clean it? The usual cause is a haze of calcium carbonate which is only removed by a few hours soak in vinegar, it can be invisible when the sensor is wet so it looks clean but when dry instead of shiny the sensor is dull and hazy. Try a soak in vinegar for 2-3 hours followed by wiping off with a soft towel.

 

[jj5]

I let it soak but not for that long. I'll give it a gook soaking tomorrow after work. I just moved the kalk drip line so hopefully its just a calcium carbonate build up. Is there any way to determine the age of a unit. I wasn't the original owner but I'll bet it dates back to 2008-2009. Thanks for the response.

 

[rvitko]

From the 90's until about 2007 the date was on an old fashioned price tag type sticker on the inside of the front cover, month and year. From 2006-2012 it was on a very small sticker on the back of the circuit board, early ones were a simple dot sticker that had the date typed on it (until about 2010), later ones were a Q code and we no longer have a reader for it. Since 2012 it is a silver (metal foil) sticker on the back or top of the controller with year and month and a lot of other info such as country of origin, etc.

 

[Wombat_101]

I am having the same exact problem and mine is only 1.5 years old. I will try the vinegar soak and see if it fixes the issue.

 

[rvitko]

They do have a 2 year warranty, a failure of the sensor is rare in under 5 years, usually they just need cleaning.