Jobo ATL-1000 chemical bottle no pumping issue

sunhouwang · Oct 4, 2021

HI,All.
Recently bought a Jobo ATL-1000 processor.
First time tried the cleaning mode and E-6 standard mode with fresh water to test the machine, not bad.
But these days, the machine gets some abnormal issue, which can not pump the water from chemical bottles to the tank.
For example, the cleaning mode can go through the whole process, first and final incoming water can be pumped into tank in the process, only the six full filled chemical bottles failed, lids are checked and closed, and It's no beeping or warnings during the process.
Can anyone give advice what's going on with the machine or any suggestions to do with it, like reset to factory mode?

Best
Deane

sunhouwang · Oct 5, 2021

I just run the E-6 6-step standard program and C-41 3-step standard program, with the same results.
Fresh incoming water can be pumped into tank, 6 chemical bottles are full of water left when the whole process is done, no warning signal.

FotoD · Oct 5, 2021

This can happen when there is an air leak in the system. There has to be a vacuum for the pump to work. The pump is working right? It makes a loud noise so you should be able to tell.

The lid of the machine may not be pushing down hard enough on the lids of the bottles to make a seal. You can tape a shim on the inside of the top lid to create more pressure and test this. A litte silicone on the rubber gasket can help the lids seal better.

Of course, the leak could be anywhere between the bottles and the pump. The fact that all 6 bottles are failing suggests that the leak is either caused by a really loose top lid, or that it's closer to the pump.

Good luck!

sunhouwang · Oct 5, 2021

Yes, i can hear the air pumping sound clear during each step, does that mean the pump work well?
The lid should be ok, as i push down very hard to ensure its close.
As my understanding, the air pumping sounds first, then chemical is sucked into tank, with fews minutes rotation, then arm lifts, chemical pours out.
And I find an interesting thing, the air pump seems a bit slower than the program.
After first time rinse water pours out, green lights off, No.1 yellow lights up. At this time, no air pumping sound, just rotation, arm lifts. Then air pumping sounds first time, No.1 lights off, No.2 lights up.
It repeats the same cycle four times, at the end, No.6 lights for a period of time, in the meanwhile, arm lifts, chemical pours out, here is the weird thing, last air pumping sounds, and green lights up, rinse water steps come.

sunhouwang · Oct 5, 2021

I took an video an put it on the vimeo.

FotoD · Oct 5, 2021

I can't say I hear the pump working in the video. Do you hear it?

From memory it should run continously for about 10s every time a yellow LED turns on.

nbagno · Oct 5, 2021

I don't hear the air pump working.

sunhouwang · Oct 5, 2021

Sorry for confusion.
There were two sounds lasting about 3 secs during each yellow led light shifting, maybe i have mistaken this kind of motor sound as the air pump sound.
So does that mean the root cause is the air pump part?

Kino · Oct 6, 2021

I have an ATL 2300 and if that air pump sounds the same as this one, I can certainly say it's not working.

It has a raspy, but muted staccato sound that is unmistakable.

Go to 0:39 into this video and you will hear the air pump...

FotoD · Oct 6, 2021

Have you closed the drain valve?

Not sure if it makes a difference, but it would be an easy fix if it works!

sunhouwang · Oct 6, 2021

Kino said:
I have an ATL 2300 and if that air pump sounds the same as this one, I can certainly say it's not working.

It has a raspy, but muted staccato sound that is unmistakable.

Go to 0:39 into this video and you will hear the air pump...

It's different indeed.
I would check my air pump later.
Thanks.

sunhouwang · Oct 6, 2021

FotoD said:
Have you closed the drain valve?

Not sure if it makes a difference, but it would be an easy fix if it works!

Yes, have checked it.
Thanks.

nbagno · Oct 7, 2021

Here is the air pump sound on my ATL1500. You can clearly hear it start at 00:10 and end about 00:27. You will also hear the sound of the water in the tank as it's being pumped.

sunhouwang · Oct 10, 2021

Thanks guys given above information for reference.
I have found the root cause of no pumping issue, which was the wire connector too loose to the pump pin, and i changed the wire connector, the pump works good now.
But there is another issue when running the the cleaning mode, the bottle 2 got about 100ml water remaining after the cleaning mode.
I have tried more than 3 times, same results.
Also i did the cross test, exchanging the bottle tube 2 with bottle tube 3, and water remaining happens in the bottle 3, bottle 2 is no problem.
Does anyone have experience of above issue and how to fix it?
Thanks.

sunhouwang · Oct 10, 2021

Describe a little more clearly
Replaced tubes #2 and #3 in the hose collector, not the chemical bottle side.
Then bottle #3 has water remains.

FotoD · Oct 10, 2021

Good for you that you could fix the pump!

Make shure that everything from the lid on bottle #3, to the #3 hose connection to the pump is 100% air-tight. Then it *should* empty the bottle completely.

I'm thinking a small air leak makes the #3 bottle drain slower than the others, and 100ml remains when the others are empty.

Good luck!

FotoD · Oct 10, 2021

I've had the same problem b/c the top lid didn't push down hard enough on the individual bottle lids. The problems started with a single bottle. There is an adjustment screw to tighten the top lid.

sunhouwang · Oct 10, 2021

FotoD said:
I've had the same problem b/c the top lid didn't push down hard enough on the individual bottle lids. The problems started with a single bottle. There is an adjustment screw to tighten the top lid.

Thanks.
I would try it later, hope it's only the lid issue.

Jobo ATL-1000 chemical bottle no pumping issue

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