Tunze ATO 5017 - Optical Sensor?

[ClearwaterReeferNoob]

Hello Everyone! I have a Tunze 5017 ATO and I think the optical sensor is no longer functioning. When power cycling the device, the pump runs and comes on, the lights flash, and then it says the water level is fine. I can move the sensor and it never reads that it's not in the water. The pump does work when power cycling, and the float switch works if you move it up to simulate a run away fill, but the system does not come on when the water is "low". Any suggestions? I looked for a replacement sensor, but it doesn't look like they sell them. The sensor is clean or any build up or gunk as well. I haven't soaked it in vinegar yet, but I am not sure what that would do to help it unless there is something I can't see that is affecting the sensor.

 

[rvitko]

You want to check the sensor off the magnet, often the issue is just a dull haze of mineral deposits or build up on the back against the magnet. Also, rule out a source of infrared, growlight spectrum lighting can blind the sensor. We do replace sensors, we do not sell them outright as when a sensor is replaced we need to recalibrate it, in some cases, calibration is the only issue. On units made before mid 2019, we also have to replace a resistor on the board to account for a change to the LED in the sensor. We cannot repair anything older than mid 2015. I am out of sensors for about 2 weeks, they are $29.49 installed.

 

[ClearwaterReeferNoob]

You want to check the sensor off the magnet, often the issue is just a dull haze of mineral deposits or build up on the back against the magnet. Also, rule out a source of infrared, growlight spectrum lighting can blind the sensor. We do replace sensors, we do not sell them outright as when a sensor is replaced we need to recalibrate it, in some cases, calibration is the only issue. On units made before mid 2019, we also have to replace a resistor on the board to account for a change to the LED in the sensor. We cannot repair anything older than mid 2015. I am out of sensors for about 2 weeks, they are $29.49 installed.

Awesome. It is not soldered. I already took the controller apart and plugged it back in. Is it common for these sensors to just stop working? I'm going to soak it in vinegar just to try to see if it works. The unit is second hand, so I might just buy a replacement.

 

[rvitko]

It is based on an infrared LED and infrared receiver and being on continuously, the lifespan generally is around 5 years, we do sometimes encounter units that fail earlier and sometimes last a lot longer.

 

[ClearwaterReeferNoob]

I got you. Might just be easier to ship it to you and pay the $30 when you get the sensors in. I think the senor is just dead. How does one go about shipping it in so I can get in line for a new sensor?

 

[rvitko]

We generally always have sensors, this is a small glitch in delivery as I asked that they hold a shipment until some other products were ready to come along with it. It is definitely worth having repaired and when the sensors come in, I will have plenty.

Tunze USA
2121 Cole Springs Rd
Buda TX 78610

Be sure to include your contact and return info in the box.

 

[aqua Xtreme]

We generally always have sensors, this is a small glitch in delivery as I asked that they hold a shipment until some other products were ready to come along with it. It is definitely worth having repaired and when the sensors come in, I will have plenty.

Tunze USA
2121 Cole Springs Rd
Buda TX 78610

Be sure to include your contact and return info in the box.

Hi,

I have the same problem, cleaned the sensor and still not functioning. Where can I ship the product?

 

[rvitko]

The first thing to do is find out when it was made, anything with a serial number tag on it, you can fix yourself, you just order the sensor and swap it, part 5017.300. Anything older than that needs to come in as we need to update the board, but we can only repair units made after July 2015, anything older is end of life. Anything made after Oct 2019 will have a serial number tag on the cable that the pump connects to with the 2 squeeze clips. Older than that will be a silver tag on the back of the controller with no serial number, but it will have a date of manufacture.

 

[aqua Xtreme]

 

[rvitko]

In this case you can just order it yourself, ignore out of stock, in general we make 90% of our own components and all out of stock tends to mean is it is not in stock for immediate shipping and is instead in a parts bin in storage or in a production room, US orders ship from the US and we have them in stock.

Optical probe for controller 5017 - Tunze

Hi-Tech für Aquaristik

www.tunze.com

 

[aqua Xtreme]

In this case you can just order it yourself, ignore out of stock, in general we make 90% of our own components and all out of stock tends to mean is it is not in stock for immediate shipping and is instead in a parts bin in storage or in a production room, US orders ship from the US and we have them in stock.

Optical probe for controller 5017 - Tunze

Hi-Tech für Aquaristik

www.tunze.com

I’m

In this case you can just order it yourself, ignore out of stock, in general we make 90% of our own components and all out of stock tends to mean is it is not in stock for immediate shipping and is instead in a parts bin in storage or in a production room, US orders ship from the US and we have them in stock.

Optical probe for controller 5017 - Tunze

Hi-Tech für Aquaristik

www.tunze.com

ordered thank you for the help

 

[killerkukoo]

You want to check the sensor off the magnet, often the issue is just a dull haze of mineral deposits or build up on the back against the magnet. Also, rule out a source of infrared, growlight spectrum lighting can blind the sensor. We do replace sensors, we do not sell them outright as when a sensor is replaced we need to recalibrate it, in some cases, calibration is the only issue. On units made before mid 2019, we also have to replace a resistor on the board to account for a change to the LED in the sensor. We cannot repair anything older than mid 2015. I am out of sensors for about 2 weeks, they are $29.49 installed.

How can I tell when my ato was produced?

 

[rvitko]

Pre Oct 2019 there is a silver tag on the back of the controller with a 6 digit date, year and month of production, 201806 for example, the same date code will be on the serial number tag on the cable the pump connects to on units made after Oct 2019.

 

[BkReefBaby]

@rvitko I sent you a PM I'm having the same use with the sensor. I need a new one

 

[rvitko]

I relied with the link US orders ship from TX

 

[ChiCity]

yeah i might need to get a new one…
one on my main is acting funky, and it’s been well over five years now.

let me know how to proceed

 

[rvitko]

You would send in only the controller, price is the same, $25.79, but we have to replace a resistor and update the software. Shipping varies but is cheapest if you send only 5017.000, controller with sensors, no magnets or other parts.

Tunze USA
2121 Cole Springs Rd
Buda TX 78610

 

[ChiCity]

so send just the controller and ir eye

 

[rvitko]

Osmolator® Controller - Tunze

Hi-Tech für Aquaristik

www.tunze.com

 

[ChiCity]

oh, you do want the float..,
and everything sent like this?