Reefmat 500 jammed error but isn't jammed

[exnisstech]

As the title says. I'm getting a jammed error but it isn't jammed. I can lift the drive roll off of the gear and rotate it and pull floss freely. I've pressed resume afterwards which resets the jam error. If I try a manual advance it acts like it's advancing but the motor doesn't make a sound. I've cycled the power and cleared the app cache. If were to guess I think the motor is crap but figured I'd check here before performing a dissection.

 

[Lavey29]

As the title says. I'm getting a jammed error but it isn't jammed. I can lift the drive roll off of the gear and rotate it and pull floss freely. I've pressed resume afterwards which resets the jam error. If I try a manual advance it acts like it's advancing but the motor doesn't make a sound. I've cycled the power and cleared the app cache. If were to guess I think the motor is crap but figured I'd check here before performing a dissection.

Maybe it's sensing some obstruction in the roll even though you said it moves freely. Sounds like a sensor issue in the motor. Can you try a different roll?

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe it's sensing some obstruction in the roll even though you said it moves freely. Sounds like a sensor issue.

I don't know that there are any external sensors except the level sensor. I think the advance sensor is inside the motor.

 

[Lavey29]

I don't know that there are any external sensors except the level sensor. I think the advance sensor is inside the motor.

Can you try a different roll?

 

[RoanokeReef]

My friend had same issue, was the motor.

(R35473) Replacement ReefMat DC Gear Motor (ReefMat 250, ReefMat 500, ReefMat 1200) - Red Sea

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[exnisstech]

Can you try a different roll?

I could but it sure acts like a motor because of how it fails to attempt to manually advance but pauses like it is before setting the error.

My friend had same issue, was the motor.

(R35473) Replacement ReefMat DC Gear Motor (ReefMat 250, ReefMat 500, ReefMat 1200) - Red Sea

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

Thanks. It sure acts like a motor so for $25.00 I'll try it.

 

[OctaviusBrine]

The first time my motor crapped out that’s what happened. Sadly those motors don’t last very long. I went through about one a year. With an advance of less than 6” a day.

 

[exnisstech]

The first time my motor crapped out that’s what happened. Sadly those motors don’t last very long. I went through about one a year. With an advance of less than 6” a day.

Mines been running a bit over a year advancing around 25" daily. I think they should last longer but at least they offer a replacement motor at an affordable price. Was afraid I would have to buy the entire assembly which I imagine is expensive. At least it works fine as a manual roller with the motor removed. Tank is in the dining room so when I hear water running I just reach in and advance it by hand. I've been letting it overflow a few times a week anyway.

 

[C_AWOL]

When you manual advance, is the dispensing gear (the one closest to you) spinning with the roll? If it free spins while dispensing then the controller assumes theres a jam or the roll is torn.

 

[krissiRLT]

Mine did this when I didn’t have it seated all the way properly. Easy fix if that’s it

 

[exnisstech]

I

When you manual advance, is the dispensing gear (the one closest to you) spinning with the roll? If it free spins while dispensing then the controller assumes theres a jam or the roll is torn

When I try to manually advance nothing at all happens. No sound or movement of any kind. The app thinks it is advancing but after several seconds about the normal manual advance time it sets the jammed error. It sure seems like a failed motor or whatever ever component on the board that sends the on signal out is not sending it. The motor is cheap so I'll try that first.

Mine did this when I didn’t have it seated all the way properly. Easy fix if that’s it

Pretty sure nothing is out of place. I'm about 2/3 through a roll and haven't touched the roller since I replaced the roll
I'll report back once I get a motor for it.

 

[JonoH]

Mine had the same issue - was the motor that was burnt out.
Red Sea did replace it though under warranty.

(Take some pics and a video of it not working for warranty before you change the motor - i did this, then replaced the motor myself, and they posted me a new motor also, so now i have a spare)

 

[krissiRLT]

Doesn’t sound like it’s just out of place, when it’s out of place it’ll try to roll, so that’s not it

 

[C_AWOL]

I


When I try to manually advance nothing at all happens. No sound or movement of any kind. The app thinks it is advancing but after several seconds about the normal manual advance time it sets the jammed error. It sure seems like a failed motor or whatever ever component on the board that sends the on signal out is not sending it. The motor is cheap so I'll try that first.

Pretty sure nothing is out of place. I'm about 2/3 through a roll and haven't touched the roller since I replaced the roll
I'll report back once I get a motor for it.

If you're under a year they should cover that under warranty. You're likely correct on it being the motor then if nothings happening from the advancing buttons.

 

[exnisstech]

Just an update that replacing the motor corrected the problem.

 

[Wayne Karlen]

Just past my 2 year warrantee on my Reefmat500 and the motor jammed. I removed the motor unit to inspect and still would not advance or retract using the buttons on the unit. Took about ~1/2 hr to remove 4 screws, open to inspect inside (clean & dry) & another 3 screws to remove the motor/gearbox. The motor/gearbox still wouldn't turn electrically or manually so I removed the clip to separate the motor from the gearbox. Both then rotated by hand freely. Reassembled and it worked perfectly.

I suspect the plastic sprocket on the end of the motor became jammed in the plastic gears in the gearbox. No broken teeth so hopefully that problem is solved.