AI Axis pump - is DC controller a common failure?

[saltyfish24]

I have two AI pumps - an Axis 40 return pump and a Nero 3. Both use a similar controller with a single button and LED. Recently, they both are failing the same way. If the 24V power supply is unplugged and plugged back in, sometimes the pumps don't turn on. The LED doesn't even turn on or blank. It's like the power supply isn't working, but I've confirmed the barrel plug has 24V on it. They started doing this sometimes, and now the Axis 40 won't turn on at all.

The barrel connector is clean, and as far as I can tell, the connector and port look OK. They're only a year old. I haven't come across this is a common failure, but it's odd that both of mine are failing in a very similar way.

 

[bubbgee]

Might need a factory reset. Hold the button while you plug in power. It should blink red (or amber) a few times then set itself to green.

 

[saltyfish24]

Yes, I tried the factory reset as part of troubleshooting, along with cleaning it out. Still no joy.

 

[glOckcOma]

I am now experiencing a similar failure on my Axis 40. Although mine just shuts off randomly, my sump fills up tipping over my skimmer waste container dumping waste into sump. After a few seconds it cuts back on and continues as normal. This is a brand new pump only weeks old as I was having a similar problem with a 9 month old Axis 40 and got AI to replace it. No blockages on the pump whatsoever. Last night I happened to catch and ran to see if there were any changes in the button light and nothing, it was green throughout the failure. This all happens in a span of less that a minute. Its driving me crazy. What good is my skimmer if all the waste gets thrown back into the water column.

 

[cruzersmith]

I am now experiencing a similar failure on my Axis 40. Although mine just shuts off randomly, my sump fills up tipping over my skimmer waste container dumping waste into sump. After a few seconds it cuts back on and continues as normal. This is a brand new pump only weeks old as I was having a similar problem with a 9 month old Axis 40 and got AI to replace it. No blockages on the pump whatsoever. Last night I happened to catch and ran to see if there were any changes in the button light and nothing, it was green throughout the failure. This all happens in a span of less that a minute. Its driving me crazy. What good is my skimmer if all the waste gets thrown back into the water column.

My axis 40 is doing the exact same thing except my only issue is my anxiety over it doing that. My sump and overflow handles the issue and just recovers and continues on. Sucks no one has an answer or explanation for us.

 

[saltyfish24]

I spent a lot of time troubleshooting and still couldn't recover it. The Axis 40 has been just put in storage, and the Nero 3 not reliable - I just have to keep it plugged in and running. If I unplug it, there's a chance that it Nero won't run when it's plugged back in. Pretty unreliable.

 

[hnguy]

Thanks for posting about it. I was considering one but I'm not interested in unreliable equipment. I've had cheap dumb pumps last forever, not sure why a premium one would not be able to reach that bar. Been seeing too many issues w/ AI pumps reported.

 

[tsharpe291]

I spent a lot of time troubleshooting and still couldn't recover it. The Axis 40 has been just put in storage, and the Nero 3 not reliable - I just have to keep it plugged in and running. If I unplug it, there's a chance that it Nero won't run when it's plugged back in. Pretty unreliable.

my Nero did the same thing, just took it offline this week. disappointing for a so called
quality pump.

 

[bakk0020]

Oh no! I just experienced this with my 2 week old Axis 20. After completely investing in AquaIllumination products for my tank. Nero 3, Prime light. Ack. So far I can’t get it running again after multiple resets and cleaning. Thankfully, I held onto my old Sicce pump. I’ll try a factory reset tomorrow. I’m too spent after all of the trouble shooting.