Tunze ATO malfunctioning - any help?

[matt_rogers]

Hi Roger - Matt from 3reef here... got an odd one..

In the last day or so my Tunze Osmolator has exhibited odd behavior - it appears incapable of keeping the pump on to top off the tank. When it turns the pump on - it keeps it on for about 2 seconds, then stops. Then it repeats for a while. On the controller it goes from 'low' to 'level' over and over.
Worse, it is not topping off the tank enough - my sump level is going down.

Power cycling does not help. Any clues? Anyone seen this behavior with your Tunze? I am surprised - it has always been flawless ... thanks in advance.

matt

 

[rvitko]

Hi Matt,

The most likely culprit for this is the PTC, which is essentially a thermal circuit breaker, its job is to kill the pump if its power consumption reaches a point that the controller would not have enough power to run its safety functions. It overheats if the pump needs more than 800mA on 3+ year old osmos and 1200mA on those made in the last few years. This breaks the power to the pump and after it cools contact is renewed so you see the cycling you describe. Causes can be, the connector for the pump got wet or is shorted by salt creep or corrosion. The wiring to the pump is corroded, water can wick into the wires and require the wires be cut back and cleaned up. The pump is dying. It is also possible the PTC is failing but this is not very likely.

 

[matt_rogers]

Thanks for the quick reply Roger - I will check the wires but all connections look good so far. I bought this pump back in March - is there a warranty still in play here?

 

[rvitko]

How old is the osmo and what type of power supply do you have? I ask because a new pump, has a double seal, old 800mA osmos were made for a single seal pump which used less power, the combo is problematic unless the power supply is 9V.

 

[matt_rogers]

Bought it in March I believe - so this is not old - came with magnet mount - not sure about the power supply but it is smaller than the one on my old osmo.

 

[matt_rogers]

Ok - I am lucky to have an old one in the garage. At first I just swapped out the pump - same behavior!

Then I swapped out the whole unit with the old one (old 5017 controller and older, bigger power supply with selectable voltage - on 9v setting) and I am back in business.

So on my newer model with the slim 11w 1600mA power supply - I have problems as described above. It does not appear to be pump related.

matt

 

[rvitko]

I am sorry, I was under the impression you just bought a pump in March, not a complete Osmolator. Please send in the pump, controller and power supply, anything except water damage would be covered under warranty.

About the only other thing that may be repairable on your end would be if the optic sensor is just crusted over by calcium, have you cleaned it recently? That could also possibly cause this if it was just at the brink of being too dirty to work. Just soak the sensor in vinegar for a couple hours.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[matt_rogers]

The sensor is very clean - I did try cleaning that first. The whole unit is very clean - I did not see any evidence of water damage or corrosion anywhere - I am very perplexed here. I will send you the unit Roger - and thank you!

matt

 

[matt_rogers]

Hi Roger - I apologize for the delay - I am mailing this out today. Thanks again.