ossmilator 5017 - power supply question

CapitolsRock · 05/01/2012, 11:06 PM

hello all,

I bought a used tunze ossmilator with a power supply that has a 9v/12v switch on it. Is this correct? Which one do I use if it is?Is this safe to use?

Info on the power supply

Brand - MW

Universal AC/DC adaptor

Model - M-800

Current : 800mA max.

Thanks in advance...

rvitko · 05/02/2012, 08:02 AM

That is the power supply we used before 2007, you will generally use it at 9V, 12V increases the pumps power but it also does reduce pump life and with a new pump may cause a safety shut off as the new pumps have 2 oring seals and draw more power so you will excede the 800mA capacity. Since 2008 we have used an 11V 1600mA power supply, the double oring pump and a different on board thermal protection set to 1200mA limit. In 2007 we used a 9V 1000mA transformer. Basically, this is a very old osmolator made sometime between 2002-2007.

CapitolsRock · 05/02/2012, 02:25 PM

Great info thanks rvitko....

ossmilator use:

I'm using this on a 40 gallon tank and the head hieght will be about 3 feet give or take a few inches.

------------------------------------------------------

"Basically, this is a very old osmolator made sometime between 2002-2007. "

Does old mean unreliable/unsafe/not advised for use?

rvitko · 05/02/2012, 02:45 PM

It is pretty old, if it works, great, but repair becomes problematic as so much has changed since then. Actually, besides the tubing, no part is exactly the same as it was at that time and repair will generally involve changing a few parts to get it up to date and then it becomes a question of whether it is worth to spend $50+ to keep something running compared to all the current benefits of magnet holder for the sensors, flow rate adjustment for the pump, etc and just buying a new one and starting from scratch. I would run it at 9V and if it works or just needs a pump, there is no reason not to use it, but if it needs any more than a pump, I would probably cut my losses and get a new one because the new one is that much better, has a warranty and I would feel like repair is throwing good money after bad. We do see 10+ year old osmolators that still work today, but the normal service life seems to be between 5-10 years and the higher end is only if it was really well cared for, simple things like corroded wiring to the pump can cause internal components to overheat and fail.

CapitolsRock · 05/02/2012, 03:05 PM

Having posting issues....

can you pm me Roger?

CapitolsRock · 05/02/2012, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the reply Roger.

I'm just kind of bumed out about the whole thing. I thought I was buying the BMW of aquarium gear but now it seems like I've got a $100.00 piece of junk. Really bumed out.

I bought the Tunze off CL after reading that Tunze had the best ATO system. What I didn't know is that the older models fail.....

You win some and you loose some, just really disappointed. I was on a real high - had my first high-end piece of gear....

I wish there was something I could do. I sorta blew my budget for a while on this junk and it's not really right to re-sell it to somebody knowing what I know now....

PS - I can't answer the PM posts until I post 10 times...

rvitko · 05/03/2012, 07:43 AM

I understand, and while it is a BMW, unfortunately it is BMW with high mileage that is at the point where repair costs excede the value. I would hook it up and if it works great, the worst that can happen if you install it correctly is it won't top off.

05/01/2012, 11:06 PM	#1
CapitolsRock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington DC Area Posts: 43	ossmilator 5017 - power supply question hello all, I bought a used tunze ossmilator with a power supply that has a 9v/12v switch on it. Is this correct? Which one do I use if it is?Is this safe to use? Info on the power supply Brand - MW Universal AC/DC adaptor Model - M-800 Current : 800mA max. Thanks in advance...

05/02/2012, 08:02 AM	#2
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,872	That is the power supply we used before 2007, you will generally use it at 9V, 12V increases the pumps power but it also does reduce pump life and with a new pump may cause a safety shut off as the new pumps have 2 oring seals and draw more power so you will excede the 800mA capacity. Since 2008 we have used an 11V 1600mA power supply, the double oring pump and a different on board thermal protection set to 1200mA limit. In 2007 we used a 9V 1000mA transformer. Basically, this is a very old osmolator made sometime between 2002-2007. __________________ 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

05/02/2012, 02:45 PM	#4
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,872	It is pretty old, if it works, great, but repair becomes problematic as so much has changed since then. Actually, besides the tubing, no part is exactly the same as it was at that time and repair will generally involve changing a few parts to get it up to date and then it becomes a question of whether it is worth to spend $50+ to keep something running compared to all the current benefits of magnet holder for the sensors, flow rate adjustment for the pump, etc and just buying a new one and starting from scratch. I would run it at 9V and if it works or just needs a pump, there is no reason not to use it, but if it needs any more than a pump, I would probably cut my losses and get a new one because the new one is that much better, has a warranty and I would feel like repair is throwing good money after bad. We do see 10+ year old osmolators that still work today, but the normal service life seems to be between 5-10 years and the higher end is only if it was really well cared for, simple things like corroded wiring to the pump can cause internal components to overheat and fail. __________________ 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

05/02/2012, 08:29 PM	#6
CapitolsRock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington DC Area Posts: 43	tunze Thanks for the reply Roger. I'm just kind of bumed out about the whole thing. I thought I was buying the BMW of aquarium gear but now it seems like I've got a $100.00 piece of junk. Really bumed out. I bought the Tunze off CL after reading that Tunze had the best ATO system. What I didn't know is that the older models fail..... You win some and you loose some, just really disappointed. I was on a real high - had my first high-end piece of gear.... I wish there was something I could do. I sorta blew my budget for a while on this junk and it's not really right to re-sell it to somebody knowing what I know now.... PS - I can't answer the PM posts until I post 10 times...

05/03/2012, 07:43 AM	#7
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 30,872	I understand, and while it is a BMW, unfortunately it is BMW with high mileage that is at the point where repair costs excede the value. I would hook it up and if it works great, the worst that can happen if you install it correctly is it won't top 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

05/02/2012, 02:25 PM	#3
CapitolsRock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington DC Area Posts: 43	Great info thanks rvitko.... ossmilator use: I'm using this on a 40 gallon tank and the head hieght will be about 3 feet give or take a few inches. ------------------------------------------------------ "Basically, this is a very old osmolator made sometime between 2002-2007. " Does old mean unreliable/unsafe/not advised for use?

05/02/2012, 03:05 PM	#5
CapitolsRock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington DC Area Posts: 43	Having posting issues.... can you pm me Roger?