Tunze Osmolator failure

[rishu_pepper]

I have had my Osmolator ATO running for almost a year now and have been happy with the product as it has served its purpose well. However, this morning when I woke up for work and checked the sump just before I left, I found the return chamber was almost empty! I checked the Osmo's control box and it was blinking on red (Too Low). I cut the power of that outlet on my Apex and turned it back on again, then it started working, pumping RODI water. The question is, what was the error that led to this failure? I sure don't want it to happen again, especially if I am away for an extended period of time.

 

[rvitko]

Too low means it tried to fill for 10 minutes, a fill did not occur in time so it shut down.

Causes can be:

A leak somewhere
A broken pump
Reservoir was empty
Pump was airlock and could not prime or took a long time to prime (if the pump is ever dry tip it upside down when resubmerged to release any air)
Unit was connected and the water level was unusually low, 10 minutes equals 1.5-3 gallons of fill depending on your pump speed setting and head pressure, the default speed is generally about 2 gallons.

 

[rishu_pepper]

Too low means it tried to fill for 10 minutes, a fill did not occur in time so it shut down.

Causes can be:

A leak somewhere
A broken pump
Reservoir was empty
Pump was airlock and could not prime or took a long time to prime (if the pump is ever dry tip it upside down when resubmerged to release any air)
Unit was connected and the water level was unusually low, 10 minutes equals 1.5-3 gallons of fill depending on your pump speed setting and head pressure, the default speed is generally about 2 gallons.

There was no leak.
The pump is still working.
Reservoir was 90% full.
I hadn't changed anything so I don't think there was an airlock.
The water level had not changed for over half a year so there was no reason why it was suddenly "usually low".

What do you think is the problem? I don't want it to happen again.

 

[rvitko]

My best guess is a failing pump. If only the too low light was on, that can mean only one thing and that is the controller instructed the pump to run for 10 minutes and the fill did not occur. I would double check the pump connectors and clean the sensors and see if it recurs, if it does, I would try another pump as a first step.

 

[rishu_pepper]

My best guess is a failing pump. If only the too low light was on, that can mean only one thing and that is the controller instructed the pump to run for 10 minutes and the fill did not occur. I would double check the pump connectors and clean the sensors and see if it recurs, if it does, I would try another pump as a first step.

Since the incident, I have noticed that the ATO pumps more frequently to refill water. Is this a sign of a pump on its last legs?

 

[rvitko]

Unless it is not refilling completely, this change can be due to nothing more than drier weather or colder weather and the heater in the house and tank running more often.

 

[rishu_pepper]

Unless it is not refilling completely, this change can be due to nothing more than drier weather or colder weather and the heater in the house and tank running more often.

That may well indeed be the case. Thank you for letting me know.

How long is the pump usually rated for, in terms of life expectancy?

 

[rvitko]

We generally expect 2-3 years from the pump, half that if it is used in kalkwasser.