osmolator pump alternatives?

[fishface]

Sean, thanks alot for the in depth explanation. i believe i could confidently built that, i'll inform you of any success or failure!

[kwirky]

np. if you need help send a pm

[fishface]

so radio shack has one that's 12vdc and 120vac...do you think that would work or should i just try to look somewhere else for a 9v relay?

thanks,

[Willito]

How far up are you going. I have no problem going vertical 6 feet and 6 horizontal. You might want to check for trapped bubbles in the pump. Also if your pump happens to run dry or in low water for any period of time, it too will trap bubbles and may not run properly even after you refill the reservoir. Try banging the pump against the bucket to release the bubbles and it should resume normal. Best way to avoid this is to never let the water level get too low in the reservoir

Suggestion, especially if your pump is working against such gravity force, is to install a check valve. This will ensure that the back flow won't create bubble pockets in the line and will also prevent flooding. How this helps.

[adidas]

little off topic, but do u guys ever have problems with your osmolator? mine stops working and flashes the "too low" light quite often

[Samw]

Originally Posted by adidas

little off topic, but do u guys ever have problems with your osmolator? mine stops working and flashes the "too low" light quite often

My first one died around the 2 year mark just before warranty expired. I cleaned the eye sensor and soaked it in vinegar for a week and it still couldn't detect the waterline. If its not completely dead, you should be able to get it work better by cleaning the eye sensor.

[adidas]

Originally Posted by Samw

My first one died around the 2 year mark just before warranty expired. I cleaned the eye and soaked it in vinegar for a week and it still couldn't detect the waterline.

mine still detects the water level fills for a bit and then that line goes on, i then have to unplug and plug back in to reset it, i already had the pump exchanged, maybe the controller is faulty too

[fishface]

Originally Posted by Willito

How far up are you going. I have no problem going vertical 6 feet and 6 horizontal. You might want to check for trapped bubbles in the pump. Also if your pump happens to run dry or in low water for any period of time, it too will trap bubbles and may not run properly even after you refill the reservoir. Try banging the pump against the bucket to release the bubbles and it should resume normal. Best way to avoid this is to never let the water level get too low in the reservoir

Suggestion, especially if your pump is working against such gravity force, is to install a check valve. This will ensure that the back flow won't create bubble pockets in the line and will also prevent flooding. How this helps.

i'm doing about 6 horizontal and 4 vertical feet. i've been dealing with bubbles in the line for quite some time, do alot of knockin' em out. problem with the check valve is that i'm pretty sure it wouldn't be able to push through it! also, reservoir never runs dry...i like Sean's idea with the relay and may give it a go.

[Willito]

Originally Posted by fishface

i'm doing about 6 horizontal and 4 vertical feet. i've been dealing with bubbles in the line for quite some time, do alot of knockin' em out. problem with the check valve is that i'm pretty sure it wouldn't be able to push through it! also, reservoir never runs dry...i like Sean's idea with the relay and may give it a go.

When air pockets are present in the line, it usually transfers to the pump, this is where your problem lies. In the past I've used 2 check valves on the same line and the pump was still managing. This was because I was dosing Kalk via top-off and the dual check valve prevented any kalk water from back flowing into the reservoir. I stopped using kalk so now it's just the one cheap check valve ($1.99) and it does the job. The other check valve was the John Guess fitting one, ($10).

[fishface]

i'll give it a shot, one thing i found out was that i had a broken connection inside the console itself. right at the power connection to the circiut board so the lights would be continually lit, but the power was actually fluctuating at the pump itself. this caused the water to pump, then fall back down, pump, then fall back down. resoldered that and it works fine now, although still a weak delivery but working. i'll most definately give the relay a shot when the time to replace that pump comes.

thanks for everyones idea's.