osmolator doesn't turn on

kretzkiller · 05/11/2009, 06:08 AM

I have the tunze auto top off and while I do love it (when it works), I am having problems with it. From time to time it says that it is too low, which is is indicated by a red flashing light on the head unit. However, it doesn't turn the pump on and thus, my sump level drops down. The only way to get it to come back on and start filling back up is turning the unit on/off. I obviously don't want to do this because it's not why I bought it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

James77 · 05/11/2009, 06:52 AM

You might want to post in the Tunze forum, Roger will give you an answer in no time.

cmm1970 · 05/11/2009, 07:02 AM

What kind of pump do you have attached to the osmolator. The unit will only operate the pump for a short interval before timing out to prevent overfilling the tank. I use an AquaLifter and if something goes amiss, and there is a ton of evaporation, this same scenario develops. It may be that you need a higher volume operating pump to meet the demands of your system to avoid the osmolator timing out as it should after operating for ten minutes(I think this is the interval).

carman9941 · 05/11/2009, 07:06 AM

There are 2 safety features that will stop the pump from running,
1.when the pump runs for more than 10 mins
2.if the high level sensor shuts the pump off

The red light means that 1 of the 2 safety features have been violated
you might try putting a check valve inline so the line stays full and there is no additional air in the line which would take the pump running past the 10 min limit,

the Yellow light is when the pump is running and Green means sump level is correct. Hope that helps, Steve

kretzkiller · 05/11/2009, 07:23 AM

It sounds like I may need to set my drip rate higher. The problem is I am using it to dose kalk. I don't want to add too much too quick.

kretzkiller · 05/11/2009, 07:34 AM

another question - how long does it take before the sensor resets? It turns off the pump after 10 minutes, but how long does it take it to come back on? does not having a check valve installed make it think my pump is still on?

kretzkiller · 05/11/2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by James77
You might want to post in the Tunze forum, Roger will give you an answer in no time.

I posted it there as well.

cmm1970 · 05/11/2009, 07:40 AM

The unit doesn't reset until you power it off and on again. This is most likely why you are having trouble. The evaporation is getting ahead of your top off pump due to the slow drip rate.

kretzkiller · 05/11/2009, 07:43 AM

thanks for all your help.

carman9941 · 05/11/2009, 08:05 AM

I have never had a problem letting the pump run wide open using kalk as the unit has a very precise level controlling eye and requires very little evaporation to trigger the pump to add top off water

kretzkiller · 05/11/2009, 08:23 AM

true that.

EdMan1971 · 05/12/2009, 09:41 PM

Mine did the same thing and all I did was soak "eye sensor" in vinagar to get clean and scrubbed alittle with old toothbrush and it started to work fine. Also make sure in is pointed perpendicular to water surface. also maybe if water is too "wavy or rough" , will throw off sensor.
Hope this helps!!
Eddie

kretzkiller · 05/13/2009, 05:59 AM

I believe my problem was that I was dripping the water to slow. I adjusted the rate and it seemed to fix the problem. Thanks for the help.

05/11/2009, 06:08 AM	#1
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	osmolator doesn't turn on I have the tunze auto top off and while I do love it (when it works), I am having problems with it. From time to time it says that it is too low, which is is indicated by a red flashing light on the head unit. However, it doesn't turn the pump on and thus, my sump level drops down. The only way to get it to come back on and start filling back up is turning the unit on/off. I obviously don't want to do this because it's not why I bought it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

05/11/2009, 06:52 AM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	You might want to post in the Tunze forum, Roger will give you an answer in no time. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

05/11/2009, 07:02 AM	#3
cmm1970 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 426	What kind of pump do you have attached to the osmolator. The unit will only operate the pump for a short interval before timing out to prevent overfilling the tank. I use an AquaLifter and if something goes amiss, and there is a ton of evaporation, this same scenario develops. It may be that you need a higher volume operating pump to meet the demands of your system to avoid the osmolator timing out as it should after operating for ten minutes(I think this is the interval).

05/11/2009, 07:06 AM	#4
carman9941 Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 705	There are 2 safety features that will stop the pump from running, 1.when the pump runs for more than 10 mins 2.if the high level sensor shuts the pump off The red light means that 1 of the 2 safety features have been violated you might try putting a check valve inline so the line stays full and there is no additional air in the line which would take the pump running past the 10 min limit, the Yellow light is when the pump is running and Green means sump level is correct. Hope that helps, Steve

05/11/2009, 07:23 AM	#5
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	It sounds like I may need to set my drip rate higher. The problem is I am using it to dose kalk. I don't want to add too much too quick.

05/11/2009, 07:34 AM	#6
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	another question - how long does it take before the sensor resets? It turns off the pump after 10 minutes, but how long does it take it to come back on? does not having a check valve installed make it think my pump is still on?

05/11/2009, 07:40 AM	#8
cmm1970 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 426	The unit doesn't reset until you power it off and on again. This is most likely why you are having trouble. The evaporation is getting ahead of your top off pump due to the slow drip rate.

05/11/2009, 07:43 AM	#9
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	thanks for all your help.

05/11/2009, 08:05 AM	#10
carman9941 Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 705	I have never had a problem letting the pump run wide open using kalk as the unit has a very precise level controlling eye and requires very little evaporation to trigger the pump to add top off water

05/11/2009, 08:23 AM	#11
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	true that.

05/12/2009, 09:41 PM	#12
EdMan1971 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: United States Posts: 46	Mine did the same thing and all I did was soak "eye sensor" in vinagar to get clean and scrubbed alittle with old toothbrush and it started to work fine. Also make sure in is pointed perpendicular to water surface. also maybe if water is too "wavy or rough" , will throw off sensor. Hope this helps!! Eddie

05/13/2009, 05:59 AM	#13
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	I believe my problem was that I was dripping the water to slow. I adjusted the rate and it seemed to fix the problem. Thanks for the help.