Controller reads F8

badfinger · 02/04/2017, 03:20 PM

I moved my skimmer down 1/2". Haven't changed anything else. The error code reads F8 , manual says that is a air-supply error. How do I fix/resolve this. Thanks

badfinger · 02/04/2017, 07:25 PM

Also, will this damage the pump. I have it turned off for now until I can figure out how to resolve the error code

slief · 02/04/2017, 10:43 PM

Sorry for the late reply. The F8 error means the air supply is obstructed. First check the nozzles venturi port for salt creep. The nozzle pops off the pump for easy servicing. If the wedge pipe is turned too far one direction or the other, that can kink the silicone air hose which will result in air obstruction. Also make sure the air hose is firmly seated on the venturi port. Lastly, if the skimmer is really deep, you can connect the ozone tube and leave it uncapped so it can draw air. This shouldn't be necessary though.

badfinger · 02/05/2017, 02:27 AM

How does the pump know there is a air line obstruction?

It's in 9"water. I will check the venturis but it's 1.5 weeks old it shouldn't be clogged yet.

If this isn't taken care of (i will fix, but for other people) will it damage the pump or is it just saying that it is not running at full speed

slief · 02/05/2017, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badfinger

How does the pump know there is a air line obstruction?

It's in 9"water. I will check the venturis but it's 1.5 weeks old it shouldn't be clogged yet.

If this isn't taken care of (i will fix, but for other people) will it damage the pump or is it just saying that it is not running at full speed

The pump controller is intelligent and monitors RPM and resistance on the impeller. The air being pulled in has a direct correlation to the RPM/resistance if I am not mistaken and the presence of air reduces resistance on the impeller. Restricted airflow will reduce the RPM of the impeller which could trigger the F8 error. At least that is how I believe the controller senses tha air restriction. Another thing is the Ozone port. If that is left open on the nozzle without the cap, that could make the pump more sensitive to the F8 error as the pump will pull some water through that port when the ozone tube is not connected.

The F8 error will not damage the pump. It there to notify you that the air is being restricted. The 9" depth should not be an issue.

badfinger · 02/05/2017, 07:44 PM

I did 2 things, put the controller to 32 watts, and no error code. Anything less then that, it gave me codes.

After that I pulled the venturi off and moved the red port to about 12 o clock and put it back in. At the 32 watt setting it almost overflowed. Put it to 28 watts and getting back to skimming.

So crazy it can tell when their is an air obstruction.

The manual tells you what the codes mean, but not how to fix them.

slief · 02/05/2017, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badfinger

I did 2 things, put the controller to 32 watts, and no error code. Anything less then that, it gave me codes.

After that I pulled the venturi off and moved the red port to about 12 o clock and put it back in. At the 32 watt setting it almost overflowed. Put it to 28 watts and getting back to skimming.

So crazy it can tell when their is an air obstruction.

The manual tells you what the codes mean, but not how to fix them.

Glad you got it figured out.

The cable between the controller & pump is bi-directional and senses the speed of the impeller as well as other data regarding the pumps operations. The controller is smart.. The manual.. Not so smart.

Then again, that's what we are here for and we also monitor & respond to support emails 7 days a week.

Interestingly, the F8 error has only come up a few times that I recall in the last year. Once with you and once on Facebook very recently. Both were resolved with a bit of explanation however the first one who encountered it didn't bother to check the manual to even see what the error was for. In his case, the silcone hose wasn't on the venturi port all the way. There was one other F8 error that I remember and again, it was an easy fix.

Unfortunately, the manual leaves a lot to be desired and I do agree there should be some better instructions in there for address potential issues including what to look for in the case of the F8 error. The conversion from German to English in manual makes it even more confusing. I need to get a soft editable copy of that manual so I can clean it up and add to it. There is a lot of info that I have put into the tuning thread here and the overflow thread that addresses some potential issues and make setup and fine tuning much easier for those who don't read this forum.

Either way, I am glad you got it straightened out. Having the pump down deeper does increase the head pressure on the pump and also creates a bit more resistance on the air draw which in your case exacerbated the issue for you.

eros123 · 06/21/2019, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Glad you got it figured out.

The cable between the controller & pump is bi-directional and senses the speed of the impeller as well as other data regarding the pumps operations. The controller is smart.. The manual.. Not so smart.

Then again, that's what we are here for and we also monitor & respond to support emails 7 days a week.

Interestingly, the F8 error has only come up a few times that I recall in the last year. Once with you and once on Facebook very recently. Both were resolved with a bit of explanation however the first one who encountered it didn't bother to check the manual to even see what the error was for. In his case, the silcone hose wasn't on the venturi port all the way. There was one other F8 error that I remember and again, it was an easy fix.

Unfortunately, the manual leaves a lot to be desired and I do agree there should be some better instructions in there for address potential issues including what to look for in the case of the F8 error. The conversion from German to English in manual makes it even more confusing. I need to get a soft editable copy of that manual so I can clean it up and add to it. There is a lot of info that I have put into the tuning thread here and the overflow thread that addresses some potential issues and make setup and fine tuning much easier for those who don't read this forum.

Either way, I am glad you got it straightened out. Having the pump down deeper does increase the head pressure on the pump and also creates a bit more resistance on the air draw which in your case exacerbated the issue for you.

eros123 · 06/21/2019, 01:13 PM

Best

i have super marine 250 with speedy pump
cool F8 error but after a few seconds the container turned off and there is no power at all anymore?

eros123 · 06/21/2019, 01:15 PM

Best

i have super marine 250 with speedy pump
cool F8 error but after a few seconds the container turned off and there is no power at all anymore?

slief · 06/21/2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eros123

Best

i have super marine 250 with speedy pump
cool F8 error but after a few seconds the container turned off and there is no power at all anymore?

PM sent.

02/04/2017, 03:20 PM	#1
badfinger Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 29	Controller reads F8 I moved my skimmer down 1/2". Haven't changed anything else. The error code reads F8 , manual says that is a air-supply error. How do I fix/resolve this. Thanks

02/04/2017, 10:43 PM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Sorry for the late reply. The F8 error means the air supply is obstructed. First check the nozzles venturi port for salt creep. The nozzle pops off the pump for easy servicing. If the wedge pipe is turned too far one direction or the other, that can kink the silicone air hose which will result in air obstruction. Also make sure the air hose is firmly seated on the venturi port. Lastly, if the skimmer is really deep, you can connect the ozone tube and leave it uncapped so it can draw air. This shouldn't be necessary though. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

06/21/2019, 01:15 PM	#10
eros123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 10	F8 code Best i have super marine 250 with speedy pump cool F8 error but after a few seconds the container turned off and there is no power at all anymore?

02/04/2017, 07:25 PM	#2
badfinger Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 29	Also, will this damage the pump. I have it turned off for now until I can figure out how to resolve the error code

02/05/2017, 02:27 AM	#4
badfinger Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 29	How does the pump know there is a air line obstruction? It's in 9"water. I will check the venturis but it's 1.5 weeks old it shouldn't be clogged yet. If this isn't taken care of (i will fix, but for other people) will it damage the pump or is it just saying that it is not running at full speed

02/05/2017, 07:44 PM	#6
badfinger Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 29	I did 2 things, put the controller to 32 watts, and no error code. Anything less then that, it gave me codes. After that I pulled the venturi off and moved the red port to about 12 o clock and put it back in. At the 32 watt setting it almost overflowed. Put it to 28 watts and getting back to skimming. So crazy it can tell when their is an air obstruction. The manual tells you what the codes mean, but not how to fix them.

06/21/2019, 01:13 PM	#9
eros123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 10	Best i have super marine 250 with speedy pump cool F8 error but after a few seconds the container turned off and there is no power at all anymore?