Tunze Osmolator problems

Millepora_Maniac · #1 02-04-2014, 10:03 PM

HI All,

I have been running two osmolators on two different tanks for about two years now. The one on my main tank had the pump die on me, so I replaced it, then all of a sudden I thought that pump went too. I changed it out and realised that the problem is the controller or something else.

The other one on my office tank is fine, never changed a pump, never had an issue at all.

Can anyone else relate? What did you do? and is there someone who will fix these locally?

thanks a million, getting sick of lugging buckets, I thought that's what I paid 300 bucks for...

ScubaSteve · #2 02-05-2014, 01:41 AM

My osmolator did this back in the fall too. I haven't been able to dig into it to really see what's going on but, from the cursory inspection I did, I'm suspecting the voltage regulator IC is toast. When the pump is unplugged, the controller works fine but as soon as the pump is plugged in it causes the head unit to either shut off or not output the right signals. Same effect when i tried a new power supply. To me that suggests that the voltage regulator can't handle the draw of the pump.

jordsyke · #3 02-05-2014, 05:33 AM

I just bought a broken one from some guy on here, i never questioned the seller as I fixed it on my own, turned out to be optical sensor. i bought one from the north american tunze guy for $15 shipped and rewired it. I dunno if this is your problem but if the green light is on and the sensor is dry tjen that is probably the sensor

whatcaneyedo · #4 02-05-2014, 02:06 PM

In response to "What did you do?", when my Tunze began to malfunction I sold it for $50 then bought two cheep float switches on ebay and plugged in a Maxi Jet. Now my Apex is the auto top off system. Can the Digital Aquatics unit do the same?

FishyFishy! · #5 02-05-2014, 02:58 PM

Yup. This is common IMO. I've had numerous Tunze's, and have always had pump problems, and one controller failure. You can usually pick up replacement parts at J&L.

I got frustrated with the Tunze, so I went for the cheaper JBJ ATO, and used a Maxi-Jet 1200 pump... Ran for years on numerous systems without a single issue. Biggest piece of advice with any mechanical float switch setup is regular maintenance.