Osmolator won't stop running!

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 11:37 AM

I just installed this a few hours ago. The water will be level, then it drops a bit and the pump comes on, but wont quit, even when it goes up past the sensor. I could flip the saftey float switch by hand to make it stop, but as soon as I let go the controller started the pump back up.

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 12:11 PM

ok, I've unplugged it, lowered the water down below the sensor, the plugged it back in, the pump cut off this time when the water reached the sensor. Hopefully it keeps on working like that. Maybe I had the sensor too low into the water the first time and when I plugged it in, it couldnt "see" the water since it was already in it.

rvitko · 12/26/2007, 12:30 PM

This is common on new sensors. New sensors being made of plastic which is made from oil, repel water. It takes a couple days for the sensor to stop repelling water so actively and clinging to air bubbles so strongly. You can accelerate this break in by rinsing the sensor in hot soapy water and wiping it off well with a soft towel, being sure no soap residue is left. Was the pump actually running? The other common mistake is connect the top off hose to the sump. If the reservoir is taller than the sump water will siphon into the sump after the pump turns off.

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 12:55 PM

It just did it again. The pump is actually on, and the yellow light is on. I'll try the hot soapy water thing and see how that does.

Even now since the water's high, the sensor should see that it's below water when I put it back in and plug it up, and not come on?

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 01:08 PM

alright, I've cleaned it good with hot, soapy water, rinsed it then dried it with a soft cloth. Installing it, I made sure not to touch the sensor with my fingers and avoid getting any oil on it.

Is it common when first plugged in for the green light to come on, as well as the pump light, and for it to starting pumping water even if the sensor is in the water?

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 01:20 PM

The water is now about at the top of the optical sensor, and the green light began flashing and has been flashing for about 10 minutes now.

I've checked the book to see what it means and there is no explanation for it.

any idea's roger? Is the the sensor seeing the water's too high but not high enough to trip the float switch?

****EDIT*******

5 minutes after posting the the pump light came on and it started pumping again.

I've unplugged it for now.

rvitko · 12/26/2007, 01:27 PM

When power is first connected it runs for a second or two. Are there a lot of bubbles in this section where it is mounted?

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 01:29 PM

A few microbubbles from my 9010, but not alot. I can see the micro-bubbles clinging to the sensor, but their arent many.

rvitko · 12/26/2007, 01:50 PM

Can you move the sensor? The sensor just detects air vs water and if it gets bubbles on it in the right place the result will be the same as being out of water.

Runfrumu · 12/26/2007, 01:59 PM

Ok, I moved it to the return side of the sump where their are no bubbles. I hope that gets it. I appreciate the help alot Roger!

12/26/2007, 11:37 AM	#1
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	Osmolator won't stop running! I just installed this a few hours ago. The water will be level, then it drops a bit and the pump comes on, but wont quit, even when it goes up past the sensor. I could flip the saftey float switch by hand to make it stop, but as soon as I let go the controller started the pump back up.

12/26/2007, 12:11 PM	#2
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	ok, I've unplugged it, lowered the water down below the sensor, the plugged it back in, the pump cut off this time when the water reached the sensor. Hopefully it keeps on working like that. Maybe I had the sensor too low into the water the first time and when I plugged it in, it couldnt "see" the water since it was already in it. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

12/26/2007, 12:30 PM	#3
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	This is common on new sensors. New sensors being made of plastic which is made from oil, repel water. It takes a couple days for the sensor to stop repelling water so actively and clinging to air bubbles so strongly. You can accelerate this break in by rinsing the sensor in hot soapy water and wiping it off well with a soft towel, being sure no soap residue is left. Was the pump actually running? The other common mistake is connect the top off hose to the sump. If the reservoir is taller than the sump water will siphon into the sump after the pump turns off. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

12/26/2007, 12:55 PM	#4
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	It just did it again. The pump is actually on, and the yellow light is on. I'll try the hot soapy water thing and see how that does. Even now since the water's high, the sensor should see that it's below water when I put it back in and plug it up, and not come on? __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

12/26/2007, 01:08 PM	#5
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	alright, I've cleaned it good with hot, soapy water, rinsed it then dried it with a soft cloth. Installing it, I made sure not to touch the sensor with my fingers and avoid getting any oil on it. Is it common when first plugged in for the green light to come on, as well as the pump light, and for it to starting pumping water even if the sensor is in the water? __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

12/26/2007, 01:20 PM	#6
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	The water is now about at the top of the optical sensor, and the green light began flashing and has been flashing for about 10 minutes now. I've checked the book to see what it means and there is no explanation for it. any idea's roger? Is the the sensor seeing the water's too high but not high enough to trip the float switch? **EDIT***** 5 minutes after posting the the pump light came on and it started pumping again. I've unplugged it for now. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

12/26/2007, 01:27 PM	#7
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	When power is first connected it runs for a second or two. Are there a lot of bubbles in this section where it is mounted? __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

12/26/2007, 01:29 PM	#8
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	A few microbubbles from my 9010, but not alot. I can see the micro-bubbles clinging to the sensor, but their arent many. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

12/26/2007, 01:50 PM	#9
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Can you move the sensor? The sensor just detects air vs water and if it gets bubbles on it in the right place the result will be the same as being out of water. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

12/26/2007, 01:59 PM	#10
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	Ok, I moved it to the return side of the sump where their are no bubbles. I hope that gets it. I appreciate the help alot Roger! __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.