Tunze osmolator issue (solid high, blinking low)

[NotSure]

Tunze osmolator has a solid high light on, and a blinking low light on. Plus the alarm is sounding and I hear the relay click once when I plug in the controller. Any ideas? Does this light combination mean something?

It worked fine the other day. I had to buy a new metering pump for it because the old one somehow got water in it and shorted out. The controller was NOT doing this before I bought the new pump. I verified this by plugging in the controller without the faulty pump wired up. Wanted to test for proper functionality before I bought a new pump. This just started happening after it was sitting for a week (with no power connected and sensors out of the water). I connected the new pump, put the sensors back in the tank, plugged in the controller, and then noticed this issue. Unplugging the new pump makes no difference.

The controller never got wet. I wiped off the electronic sensor. The controller has worked fine before and no new items have been installed near it. I'm not sure how old the controller is. I tested the float (NC circuit when down, circuit opens when float is lifted) and its working fine. The proper voltage is getting to the controller. Perhaps the electronic sensor is malfunctioning? I know a little about electronics, just need to know what to test for on which 4 wires. I also have experience in soldering small stuff so removing/replacing the sensor is not a problem. Trying to save money where ever I can because I haven't been working much.

 

[clownnrnd]

same exact thing is going on w/ my osmolator. Solid high level and blinking low level light. I have sent mine in to Rodger for him to check it out. He found nothing wrong. I got it back and everything was fine. About a month ago I unplugged it to do a WC and plugged it back in and it is doing it again.

Chad

 

[NotSure]

I hate when problems come and go like that and nothing can be found wrong. Ok Rodger, whats the trick here? I've been topping off manually at the moment and want to get this unit put back into service.

I also need to buy a replacement rail. Somehow the 2nd one got misplaced. Would like to have the electronic sensor and the float back on there own rail.

 

[rvitko]

Their are two possible culprits, electromagnetic fields, especially from ballasts or X10 systems. The osmolator should ideally not even be plugged in to a socket on the same circuit as a ballast and a wire from a ballast near the controller is enough to cause interference.

The other possible culprit is water damage, even a minor splash, if water gets into the controller it is pretty well toast.

 

[NotSure]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13717321#post13717321 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
Their are two possible culprits, electromagnetic fields, especially from ballasts or X10 systems. The osmolator should ideally not even be plugged in to a socket on the same circuit as a ballast and a wire from a ballast near the controller is enough to cause interference.

The other possible culprit is water damage, even a minor splash, if water gets into the controller it is pretty well toast.

Neither happened. The unit is plugged into an outlet that has no ballasts, x10 systems, etc plugged to the same circuit. In fact I don't even have any x10 stuff. All my other aquarium hardware just happens to be on a different circuit. Nothing has changed recently on my system, the controller has been in the same place its always been which is away from water splashes. This item was expensive so no way was I going to have it mounted where it could get wet. Thats why its even on a different circuit, its not close enough to be plugged in to the same outlet as the other stuff is (well, unless I use an extension cord which I didn't want to mess with). I have the rest of my aquarium hardware on its own circuit/breaker. Its mounted on a wall couple feet away from the tank and any electronical devices.

So what can be done with this? If its a doorstop now, then I'm afraid this will be my last tunze product. For the price of this item and how I took care of it (as with all the stuff I own), it should not all of a sudden one day become an expensive doorstop. How much would it cost to get this fixed?

 

[rvitko]

It has a two year warranty, you can send it in and I will get it repaired, if it is less than two year old and didn't get wet it will be free.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753

 

[NotSure]

Before I send it in I would like to see if you can check the warranty on it so that I don't get any surprise costs. Theres a sticker on the back of the controller board, perhaps some of those numbers are part of a date? I can't recall when I bought it, I just know it wasn't cheap.

What all needs to be sent besides the controller? Power supply, pump ??

 

[rvitko]

Sen the controller, power supply and pump. There is a date it is the numbers in the upper left and it decodes as week/ year, 34/06 for example. Even if it is out of warranty I will discount what ever you need and it may be repairable for far less than you think. Worst case scenario would be about $120 for a new controller.