Wavebox problem

[NewSchool04]

Hello, I just set up the wavebox and I'm having a problem. The pump just pumps continously, no stop and go. The controller is not working and does not look like it's getting power even though it's plugged into the driver. I have no idea what to do. I've unplugged and plugged the controller with no change.

 

[rvitko]

Do you have the correct cord plugged in- the one labeled master? Is it plugged in all the way? You may have to push a bit harder to fully seat it. If the controller isn't running do not run the wavebox, the pump cannot handle continuous use.

 

[NewSchool04]

I shut the pump down after about 10 minutes. I used the master plug and set and reset the plug into the driver. Pressed it in, tried to adjust it with no luck.

 

[rvitko]

Hmm, do you have any other Tunze electronic pumps? It is difficult to say if the problem is the driver or the controller. I was hoping you could try the controller on another pump so we could rule out one or the other.

 

[NewSchool04]

No Roger, this is my only Tunze product.

 

[rvitko]

Do you have any friends with a pump? We could assume it is the controller as honestly it sounds the most plausible that the cable broke from it's solder points but I would rather be sure so I can send the right parts the first time.

 

[NewSchool04]

I can check my local club forum. What would they need (what type of pump?) to check the controller?
If it is the controller, would I have to solder? I have absolutely no experience in working with electric and would not feel comfortable starting now on this wavebox!

 

[NewSchool04]

Roger, will this controller work with any Tunze pump? I want to make sure that if I head over to someones house, I'm not wasting my time if they have a pump that is not compatible.

 

[rvitko]

As long as it is a controllable pump- 6000, 6100, 6200, 7200 or 7400.

 

[NewSchool04]

I'm having a hard time finding anyone near me that I can test this controller on.
I had a question. If the pump works, wouldn't that mean the transformer and driver are working and the only problem could be the controller?

 

[rvitko]

It is 90% likely to be the controller, however it can happen that the pin outs to the controller from the driver are bad. I saw this happen one time. It sounds like the best way to go is to send in the controller and I'll send you another one, it is fairly certain this will fix it. Most likely a wire came undone inside the controller. Just out of curiosity, have you tried the slave cable? It could be they routed the cables through the housing backwards.

 

[NewSchool04]

I didn't try the slave, I wasn't sure if that would damage the controller. Is there anyway to test this without having to put the wavebox into the tank?
Where should I send the controller?

 

[rvitko]

Send it to

Tunze USA
1304 Monica St
Austin TX 78758

You could dry test it for a very short period of time. Just don't let it run more than a few seconds.

 

[NewSchool04]

That sounds like a disaster looking for a place to happen! I'll put it in the mail to you tomorrow, do you know how long the turn around time will be?

 

[rvitko]

As soon as I get it, it won't be more than a day until we get it back out to you. In fact, I just realized that with the controller, I can determine if it is the controller or driver by seeing if it works here on my wavebox. Actually the pump can run dry for 30sec easy so I wasn't really asking you to do something dangerous, the pump is lubed with glycerin for shipping and factory testing.

 

[NewSchool04]

The controller is on it's way, sent it out UPS ground yesteday.

 

[rvitko]

I have the unit repaired- it was just as I thought, a wire broke free from it's solder point so no power was getting to the controller. Can you PM me your return address?