Neptune optical sensors

[five.five-six]

are they all junk? The BRS comments section seems to have real reliability issues with the MOS, I had one that stays dry 99.9% of the time get water inside the sensor. I’m wondering if the OS1 might be better or if I should just convert everything to dry contact wired sensors?

 

[Jimbo327]

I read the same bad reviews on the OS-1, and opted to buy the MOS. I've had the MOS for ~1 year, and still works...but it's also dry all the time as it is a high level sensor. It is magnetic attachment, so not sure if fits your application.

 

[Raptor72]

I’ve had better luck with the 2nd version. The 1st would definitely get water inside of it. Then there’s the LLS which I think were all junk. I had bad luck with all 3.

 

[five.five-six]

I’ve had better luck with the 2nd version. The 1st would definitely get water inside of it. Then there’s the LLS which I think were all junk. I had bad luck with all 3.

2nd ver MOS or OS?

I read the same bad reviews on the OS-1, and opted to buy the MOS. I've had the MOS for ~1 year, and still works...but it's also dry all the time as it is a high level sensor. It is magnetic attachment, so not sure if fits your application.

I‘m using MOS now and it failed. Considering dumping the LMM and all 4 sensors connected to it and replacing with sensors wired to the B.O.B.

 

[Discotu]

I've had both OS and float switches fail. I like the fact that OS have no moving parts and less susceptible to outside factors that might make the float stick. OS are relatively cheap and easy to replace too. I know the early OS1 sensors failed because water of water ingress. Probably due to poor application of the potting compound or using the wrong type. I am also using a MOS with no issues but haven't broken one open to see if the design is better. I might try adding rtv to the seams to make them last longer.

 

[five.five-six]

I've had both OS and float switches fail. I like the fact that OS have no moving parts and less susceptible to outside factors that might make the float stick. OS are relatively cheap and easy to replace too. I know the early OS1 sensors failed because water of water ingress. Probably due to poor application of the potting compound or using the wrong type. I am also using a MOS with no issues but haven't broken one open to see if the design is better. I might try adding rtv to the seams to make them last longer.

The fact that you used potting compound in a sentence is impressive.

 

[Jimbo327]

Your MOS failed...damn.... /looks at my MOS

I hope mine last longer since it is really a backup emergency high level sensor, and never see any water near it. But who knows, all I know is the Neptune quality is cheap. Like others, if I wasn't so deep in the APEX ecosystem and have so much invested in it, I would probably be switching.

It really shouldn't be this bad. My Tunze ATO optical sensor has been working flawlessly for 10+ years. And that touches saltwater all the time and all kinds of crude.

 

[drexel]

I hate the ATK and Neptune OS, I replaced them a couple times before I went back to gravity fed on my 90g. I found float sensors are more reliable than the optical ones. You might get crafty and buy an optical sensor from another manufacturer and DIY wire it for the apex?

 

[Discotu]

Im pretty sure the failure mode is 99% water leaking into the sensor. I'm seriously gonna start adding an extra layer of rtv around all the joints when I have to swap out my sensors. Silicone adhears well and is flexible so should last a lot longer.

FYI, a quick way to tell if your OS is working is to point your phone camera at it. Digital camera sensors are sensitive to the IR spectrum so you'll see it on your phone screen even thought it's invisible to the naked eye.

 

[Jimbo327]

Im pretty sure the failure mode is 99% water leaking into the sensor. I'm seriously gonna start adding an extra layer of rtv around all the joints when I have to swap out my sensors. Silicone adhears well and is flexible so should last a lot longer.

FYI, a quick way to tell if your OS is working is to point your phone camera at it. Digital camera sensors are sensitive to the IR spectrum so you'll see it on your phone screen even thought it's invisible to the naked eye.

Good tip. Yeah, it would make a lot of sense to add some silicone to the side.