Nano Wavebox controller probably is faulty

notclear · 04/25/2012, 06:47 PM

On the past weekend my one year and 4 months old nano wavebox was not making wave although the pump was switching on and off. I then noticed something abnormal on the LED lights of the controller.

The Pump On LED and green LED are flashing at the same time every one second. Then when the Red LED (not the Pump On LED) is ON, the Pump On LED will lit at the same time while the green LED is off. Also the green LED on the power supply is flashing, but turns solid green when the Red LED is ON. Then the whole cycle repeats.

Also pressing the Food Timer button doesn't do anything. I do not have the photo cell installed.

So last night I took the nano wavebox out of the tank and gave it a vinegar bath and thorough cleaning. But the same thing still happens tonight.

If the controller is faulty, where should I get a replacement or get it repaired? I bought it from JL Aquatics (in Canada) at the end of 2010.

rvitko · 04/26/2012, 07:58 AM

It is fairly rare for the controllers to fail so lets check a few things.

First, a pump that is stuck is a very likely cause, when you soaked it, did you remove the propeller (drive unit) if not the soak likely wouldn't remove any calcium deposits between the metal shaft and drive unit and this is exactly what will cause what you describe.

Second, are you sure nothing got wet, water damage to the end connector of the pump or controller is another possible cause. I would open the controller and inspect it. Warranty does not cover water damage. If this is the older 6091 controller, water can enter around the foodtimer button if it was not mounted or pressed with wet hands and it will cause this issue, especially a non working foodtimer button.

notclear · 04/26/2012, 05:18 PM

I didn't remove the propeller when I soaked it. But now I am soaking it with vinegar again and will let you know the result tomorrow night.

It is indeed a 6091 controller. But the controller is located far from the tank and installed on the wall with other Neptune Energy Bars and power bars, so no chance it will get any water whatsoever. Also I actually have never used the feed timer as the wavebox power is controlled by the Apex Controller.

notclear · 04/27/2012, 08:35 PM

Just tested it again, same controller issue!

rvitko · 04/30/2012, 09:17 AM

I would contact your dealer or Xenia (www.xeniainc.com) for service.

notclear · 04/30/2012, 02:42 PM

I contacted Xenia this morning and got response very quickly. So most likely it is the motor block issue, not the controller. I only have to figure out how to ship it to them for replacement. Thanks.

notclear · 05/02/2012, 09:03 PM

I got the replacement motor block together with some free coral food samples from Xenia today! I tested it tonight and everything is OK now!

rvitko · 05/03/2012, 07:44 AM

We did get the 6085.700 out to you yesterday.

notclear · 05/03/2012, 12:25 PM

Thanks Roger.

notclear · 05/13/2012, 08:50 AM

Got the 6085.700 and it works perfectly, thanks again!

04/25/2012, 06:47 PM	#1
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	Nano Wavebox controller probably is faulty On the past weekend my one year and 4 months old nano wavebox was not making wave although the pump was switching on and off. I then noticed something abnormal on the LED lights of the controller. The Pump On LED and green LED are flashing at the same time every one second. Then when the Red LED (not the Pump On LED) is ON, the Pump On LED will lit at the same time while the green LED is off. Also the green LED on the power supply is flashing, but turns solid green when the Red LED is ON. Then the whole cycle repeats. Also pressing the Food Timer button doesn't do anything. I do not have the photo cell installed. So last night I took the nano wavebox out of the tank and gave it a vinegar bath and thorough cleaning. But the same thing still happens tonight. If the controller is faulty, where should I get a replacement or get it repaired? I bought it from JL Aquatics (in Canada) at the end of 2010. __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.

04/26/2012, 07:58 AM	#2
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,980	It is fairly rare for the controllers to fail so lets check a few things. First, a pump that is stuck is a very likely cause, when you soaked it, did you remove the propeller (drive unit) if not the soak likely wouldn't remove any calcium deposits between the metal shaft and drive unit and this is exactly what will cause what you describe. Second, are you sure nothing got wet, water damage to the end connector of the pump or controller is another possible cause. I would open the controller and inspect it. Warranty does not cover water damage. If this is the older 6091 controller, water can enter around the foodtimer button if it was not mounted or pressed with wet hands and it will cause this issue, especially a non working foodtimer button. __________________ 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

04/26/2012, 05:18 PM	#3
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	I didn't remove the propeller when I soaked it. But now I am soaking it with vinegar again and will let you know the result tomorrow night. It is indeed a 6091 controller. But the controller is located far from the tank and installed on the wall with other Neptune Energy Bars and power bars, so no chance it will get any water whatsoever. Also I actually have never used the feed timer as the wavebox power is controlled by the Apex Controller. __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.

04/27/2012, 08:35 PM	#4
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	Just tested it again, same controller issue! __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.

04/30/2012, 09:17 AM	#5
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,980	I would contact your dealer or Xenia (www.xeniainc.com) for service. __________________ 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

04/30/2012, 02:42 PM	#6
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	I contacted Xenia this morning and got response very quickly. So most likely it is the motor block issue, not the controller. I only have to figure out how to ship it to them for replacement. Thanks. __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.

05/02/2012, 09:03 PM	#7
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	I got the replacement motor block together with some free coral food samples from Xenia today! I tested it tonight and everything is OK now! __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.

05/03/2012, 07:44 AM	#8
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,980	We did get the 6085.700 out to you yesterday. __________________ 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

05/03/2012, 12:25 PM	#9
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	Thanks Roger. __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.

05/13/2012, 08:50 AM	#10
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 477	Got the 6085.700 and it works perfectly, thanks again! __________________ 160G (72"x22"x23.5"), 30G Sump, Vertex Illumina 6' LED, Vertex Alpha Cone 200 Skimmer/Cleaner, ATB 1500 Return Pump on 2 APC Smart-UPS 1500, ATB 4200 with OM4 CL, 2 Reactors for Carbon & GFO, Profilux SA3 Doser, Tunze Nano Wavebox, Tunze 6085, Rena LG100 Auto Feeder, Profilux Fan, Apex Controller.