Tunze 5017 salt water damage

[rickyh24]

Hi Guys. My HOB skimmer caused a leak last night lost maybe a gallon of tank water but the leak dripped right onto my tunze top off controller.

Can I trust this thing at all when it dries up? Right now when I plug it in I get the alarm and 2 red lights. Sucks because I just ordered a replacement pump for this unit yesterday. just my luck. Is my only option to buy a whole new unit?

 

[rvitko]

You can order just the controller, but that is 3/4ths what a full unit costs and only worthwhile if it is fairly new. Unfortunately, the damage caused by saltwater is generally not repairable. If you call me I will work with you on a new one.

512-833-7546

 

[rickyh24]

Thanks for the quick reply. The controller has dried out and seems to be working properly. Is it worth trying to use it again on my tank? Or do you think it's a bad idea? I've had it for 4 years or so. It's not like I haven't got my money's worth. Just wondering if it wouldn't function at all after salt water contact if it was ruined.

 

[rvitko]

If it is working, you may be OK, in general any short triggers the water damage damage code and it won't run (too high and blinking too low).

 

[rickyh24]

Tunze 5017 salt water damage

Ok I'll try it out and monitor it. Thanks for your help.

 

[rickyh24]

Looks like there might still be an issue. I installed the new pump I had already ordered. Pump just runs then it shuts off and flashes too low. I'm pretty sure my sensor is not telling it to stop its just stopping because the pump has run too long.

Anything that can be troubleshooted? Starting to sound like my unit just may be done.

 

[rickyh24]

Now the controller seems fine but my pump kicks on and immediately shuts off before it moves any water.

 

[rvitko]

May guess would be the controller is the issue, the controller has some safety circuitry and likely some corrosion in the path to the pump is causing it to detect an overload. The only other possibility that comes to mind would be if this controller was much older, pre-2008, it would have a power supply that is switchable between 9-12V, the power supply needs to be at 9V and the connector for the pump needs to be clean and free of any corrosion for a new pump to work.

 

[rickyh24]

Alright I have to order one for a new tank anyways. so I'll just check the controller situation when I get that one. If the controller is the issue I'll buy a controller to replace this one that's done.