osmolator pump alternatives?

fishface · #1 10-28-2007, 09:56 PM

has anyone got any? love the system but the pump has a hard time making a few feet of head. would love to hear alternative measures if you have any.

untamed · #2 10-28-2007, 11:17 PM

Any larger submersible powerhead to overcome the head height. I ran a pump into a couple of irrigation drippers. That prevented the pump from pushing too much water into the system too fast. Even if a float switch stuck on, the pump just couldn't push that much water through the drippers.

The pump could be stuck on for days before you begin to notice that the water level is increasing.

fishface · #3 10-28-2007, 11:31 PM

do the irrigation pumps work off 12v power? i believe the tunze pumps do.
edit: they're actually are 9v pumps.

fishface · #4 10-28-2007, 11:47 PM

ok, i re-read your post, i misunderstood what you said about the drippers.
so my problem still lies in replacing a pump that works from a 9v system...hhmmm

mr_alberta · #5 10-28-2007, 11:59 PM

Build a relay circuit with the 9VDC signal as the control for a 120VAC circuit. Then you can have the osmolator trigger any 120VAC pump. I believe that should work...

untamed · #6 10-29-2007, 12:24 AM

Yes, sorry I left of the important bit of info...in my case, it was a 12V relay. If the osmolator runs on 9V, it is a pretty easy and inexpensive build if you know someone with a little electrical knowledge.