Tunze Osmolator 3

[rvitko]

That would be odd, generally non infrared spectrums will not affect it, UV is on the far opposite end of the light spectrum from what the sensor uses, I would be more inclined to suspect maybe heat from the unit or magnetic interference, infrared is much more like heat in fact with the old osmolator, being near a heater could mess up the sensor but only heaters with a visible nichrome coil, those old bathroom heat lamps and chicken coop heat lamps or ceramic heaters are basically infrared light bulbs. I can't rule out that the window has a filter that could have some conversion to infrared (unlikely) or a red/orange pilot light to let you know it is on could be a cause. In the past with the old unit we sometimes saw issues with certain ballasts that would transmit interference and the wires would carry it like an antenna, but in this case, a radio would also pick this up and that kind of went away as an issue with compact flourescents no longer being a factor in the hobby.

 

[Warpigdave]

That would be odd, generally non infrared spectrums will not affect it, UV is on the far opposite end of the light spectrum from what the sensor uses, I would be more inclined to suspect maybe heat from the unit or magnetic interference, infrared is much more like heat in fact with the old osmolator, being near a heater could mess up the sensor but only heaters with a visible nichrome coil, those old bathroom heat lamps and chicken coop heat lamps or ceramic heaters are basically infrared light bulbs. I can't rule out that the window has a filter that could have some conversion to infrared (unlikely) or a red/orange pilot light to let you know it is on could be a cause. In the past with the old unit we sometimes saw issues with certain ballasts that would transmit interference and the wires would carry it like an antenna, but in this case, a radio would also pick this up and that kind of went away as an issue with compact flourescents no longer being a factor in the hobby.

Something with the uv sterilizer is definitely messing with it.

 

[reefer_madness69420]

Something with the uv sterilizer is definitely messing with it.

Hey did you ever end up figuring this out. I'm having almost the exact same problem as you with the green light not staying on. I'm in the process of setting up the tank so there are many changes, one of which is the UV being turned on recently. Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

If you are using a UV, it is likely the UV causing the issue, we had the same problem back when with the 3155 and Power Compact lighting, the only fix is making sure no wiring is in proximity and the light and ATO are on separate household circuits, in these cases the wiring becomes an antenna transmitting interference. As with the Power Compacts, these issues did not tend to occur on premium brands, we have not seen issues with Pentair UV's, it seems to be related to economical ballasts that lack EMF suppression/filtering.

 

[Miguel.PT]

Looking at the osmolator 3.. mixed reviews. Did you guys manage to get your troubles resolved?

That's what is making me step back on purchasing it. . .

 

[Acroholic89]

I sure like my old Tunze blue box ato setup. Never fails. Id like to upgrade possibly when this one wears out. Is the new model worth it? What was the reason to discontinue the old blue box model.

 

[Miguel.PT]

I sure like my old Tunze blue box ato setup. Never fails. Id like to upgrade possibly when this one wears out. Is the new model worth it? What was the reason to discontinue the old blue box model.

From the reviews ive seen..... no. They tried to fix what shouldnt be fixed..... I asked Tunze if I purchaeed a 2024 version would they replace it before it fails.... did no reply back. But stated that is a big upgrade from the previous 3155.... which I doubt....

 

[rtparty]

I sure like my old Tunze blue box ato setup. Never fails. Id like to upgrade possibly when this one wears out. Is the new model worth it? What was the reason to discontinue the old blue box model.

Roger spoke about why they made a new one and what they upgraded. It’s a definite upgrade

From the reviews ive seen..... no. They tried to fix what shouldnt be fixed..... I asked Tunze if I purchaeed a 2024 version would they replace it before it fails.... did no reply back. But stated that is a big upgrade from the previous 3155.... which I doubt....

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. You’ve chosen to “see” reviews from early models that did have a manufacturing defect that Tunze acknowledged and replaces any that fall under that.

 

[rvitko]

Yes, I already answered these questions. The 3155, water damage was the number 1 failure, that and the pump. If you look at all the competing products, the pumps are always the achilles heal. The 3154 has a purpose built ATO pump and I believe the only one that can be serviced and was not just taken from a pet fountain or a windshield washer. It is also waterproof. Nobody wants that many wires and the infrared LED on the 3155 is completely obsolete technology. I would ask simply, how many reports have you seen of a Tunze Osmolator causing a flood if it was installed correctly and was not water damaged, any model? How many reports of new ones have you seen that we did not take care of what was our fault? When the 3155 came out in 2002 none of these reviews exist, most of us who were in the hobby used "mail order" so there were no online reviews so that is also skewing the perspective, as much as we try to have things perfect before launch, they never are and from doing this same job back then, we had very similar issues with the 3155 when it was new and a year or so later, we had them solved.

Reviews are a mixed bag, I know for a fact since I handle each of these cases personally for the US, some of those negative reviews were peoples "bright ideas" that did not go as planned and even then, when they cut wires, swapped power supplies etc, we still took care of them and not a single one was man enough to go back and say "I was wrong". You have no idea on a reviewers background as well, there are a lot of people brand new to the hobby that have near zero patience and will not be in the hobby a year from now as a result regardless of what products they buy because, the real defect is the one in the mirror every morning.

 

[X-37B]

I had an issue with my first one. Roger took care of it.
I run 5 O3's and ran a 3155 for 7 years before I spilled water on the controller, lol.
I expect to get that and more from the 03's.

 

[mrpizzaface]

i was skeptical of the osomolator 3. I now have them on 4 systems. i never thought i could love a sensor, but...