monsoon woes..

[Muddyfeet]

Ok so the first I got (wish I had read the reviews more) just up and died after loosing the ability to time cycles.. I could have purchased a mist king system sigh..

Anyway, we had for clearance and staff discount day, so heck for $40 picked up a second.. yup timer is shot already..


So.. as I don't have a bunch of nozzles to run.. anyone taken the guts out of a monsoon (the pump) and made a small misting system?? the pump still works.. just the timer and board is shot??


I got two small diphram pups, still work.. and seems like one could repurpose the pump part out of the darn crappy things

Wire it to power.. put on a holding tank, add a timer.. Done.. right??


Thanks!!

 

[MelissaB]

Even though you got it on clearance, I'd contact the manufacturer and see if it's still under warranty. I've read many instances where people were given a new one, sometimes more than once, when the timers crapped out while they were still under warranty.

 

[Spangoss]

I've returned three or four of these damn things. I requested a refund after the last failure, despite Exo Terra assuring me the defect had been resolved on 'new stock'.
I believe they have a two year warranty if you wish to pursue a refund?

Alternatively, if the system is working, could you not just plug it into a digital timer?

 

[Muddyfeet]

I give them a ring, but darn it.. sure as heck cannot find the receipt!!.. at the time I purchased that first unit.. all the reviews where OH awesome product.. I had no reason to think that it would fail... and sure enough.. started to.. then did some research on it,, lots of similar complaints.. months down the road.. oh well.. the second unit I picked up cheap.. and just to address a immediate need for a mister.. $40..BTW.. after the failure of the first unit.. and seeing also they "fixed" the fault in the newer units. was hoping.. I am not a return person generally.. not a fault of the company.. just seem to keep receipts on some things.. never need them.. then not have the ones I need.. sigh..

Not a complaint on a companies support or return policies.. Just heck kind of a crap product.. that "should" not fail the way it does, and curious why generally speaking exo terra makes pretty good products.. but funny this product that IS needed by most herps.. should be a good one is really crappy... complaint..


the big thing is on BOTH units.. Its the timer that goes.. first.. I really think there is a flaw of some Kind, in the board they are using.. heck a simple mechanical timer, like a light timer would solve this issues.. and the oh works, times well then starts to cycle on and off regardless of how it is set.. not as if there Is not room on the top of the unit to fit this, but oh wait, cannot use a remote... anyone NEED a remote?? that seems a stupid "add on"


My first one I was running on a timer.. as it still would run.. then died.. all around.. the first unit as the pump died, I do scrap for some extra funds decided oh hell, I tear it apart.. and I post some pictures.. Its not a great pump.. however very simple with small rubber rings less prone to failure than diaphragm type pumps.. in my case the spring broke.. not sure due to metal failure, or hell may have run dry.. too.. came home to a flooded cage.. but a simple repair if I can find a similar spring... now just need a way to wire it to power.. plug it into a timer.. sadly Mechanical fixes I can do, electrical... not so much..

Call it a bit of a project.. it is a small simple pump that one could find or order online.. not as heavy duty as Mist king pump... but if I can figure out some way to reuse, and repair it.. a on the cheap, for one cham DYI option for people..

My recommendation is, DONT buy a monsoon, spend the money on a mist king.. if I have to run the thing on my own timer.. then the entry level system mist king is CHEAPER! The timer is worth the money to spend the extra money on on the mist king system..


I post some pictures on the pump failure... and the fix.. one thing if the timer goes, heck use a switch timer solves the problem.. but the pump fails also, and if return is not a option.. may as well know how to fix the darn thing

Amanda

 

[Muddyfeet]

oh side note aquazamp? also has a superb system.. the Rain dome idea is also "really" worth it.. for some chams.. (more in a different post) a little more, but excellent reviews.. but I mentioned Mist king only as the entry level system is in the same price range if not Cheaper than the monsoon..

Monsoon Average $80-$120 mistking entry level $99.. as the timer seems to go first on the monsoon units, have to use own switch timer.. so Mistking without a timer, use your own (like the monsoon it seems) cheaper..


Just comparing similar price ranges..




Amanda

 

[Psychobunny]

Could you just buy a different brand of timer and make what you already have work?

BTW, anything electrical and made by Exoterra, I would stay away from.
May have good luck and never a problem, but chances are high that you will
be stuck with crap!!

I bought 3 of their deluxe programmable terrarium light hoods, very expensive, all 3 craped out! One was defective right out of the box, and another actually lasted a few months and died.
It nearly killed my leo's because I had them in my basement, and it's always cold down there, so I depended on that hood for their heat!!

I also bought one of their top of the line thermostats from a well known store
in NY (will not mention name, but BA!). It took a dump after a few days, and the store would NOT take it back so I could get a refund.
I was ripped off!!!
Will never do business with that store again, and will never buy anything made by Exoterra (except their dome fixtures) that you have to plug in

Buy from places with a good return policy

 

[deerharvester]

monsoon

All you will need to give them is the serial number, and they'll get a manufacturer date off of that. I believe they have a 2 yr warranty. But they previous poster has given you good suggestions. I use my monsoon for outside and it works great for that, I use a timer and I just have it on the 2 min setting. Hope that helps, good luck.
Scott

 

[Muddyfeet]

It seems they seem to have a timer issue... for sure..

As I have not tried to call or return them or use their warrantee. Why I lost my required "proof" of purchase per their stated warrantee.. could I have pushed the issue with the store?? yeh.. but hey I know.. returns are NOT reimbursed by a company.. others have and gotten replacements when they contacted the company.. so don't want to bad mouth a company's customer service..

But yeh.. their timers seem to be a huge issue.. my fist monsoon failed, timer wise, like the one I have now.. and then the pump failed.. why? might have run dry and heated up, causing the spring failure.. timer failure.. not shutting off.. the whole resivor running dry because the timer failed to shut the darn thing off.. common issue between my experience and yours?? the timer is the huge issue..

as we sell these in my store "a chain" we get many back.. and yup a customer has a choice, return for a refund where they purchased it.. or try to use the warrantee.. guess what the biggest option is.. return.. and the company DOES NOT refund the store for it... its how retail works these days.. not happy return to where you purchased it.. not accountability to the manufacture...like pet food with a "guarantee" your pet will love it.. on the bag.. yeh.. its the individual store that provides that.. NO reimbursement from the manufacture.. sigh.. I may look into this too much, but MY pay is determined on sales, returns.. and heck someone not happy comes out of MY paycheck for the return.. so I sure as heck want to know why!!

I may just for fun give the company a call.. and voice my concerns.. who knows may get some sort of offer.. and heck if not.. until people contact or use a warrantee a company offers.. vs return a product to a store where the company DOES NOT offer reimbursement to their vendors who carry their product.. not much going to change..

Amanda