My Controller is Displaying DE, What Does This Mean?

If your controller is reading 'DE', this refers to a dead end. A dead end message will pop up when the controller detects a dead end and cuts off the pump to protect it.

There's a few things that can cause a dead end to happen, and seeing DE on your controller will be a regular part of your day, but the main thing is something restricting the water flow.

This might be a kink in the hose, a tap valve, a Uni-Valve or even something like an ill fitting connection. The controller is designed to detect when water flow has been stopped, so that the controller will stop the pump well before any huge pressures build up. The advantage here is that the system is under less pressure reducing the risk of blown connectors or split hose lines.

The controller is designed to know when the flow has been restored. It does this by carrying out a dead end re-test every 3 seconds. If the flow has been restored, (tap or Uni-Valve opened or kink removed) the controller will turn the pump back on. The controller is engineered in a way that even if left in DE for prolonged periods pressure will not build up in your system.

DE also pops up as a message if there is air in the pump. Occasionally diaphragm pumps (particularly when new) can get a bit stuck if air gets into the system. If you run your tank completely dry, have a loose hose connection or anything in this vein, an 'air-lock' can occur. 

In the event of the controller unexpectedly displaying this message (and no clear blockage) please check the following information:

1. Turn the controller flow to 99
2. Check that the hose has not become disconnected, twisted or blocked.
3. Check that the water tank is not empty.
4. Check for a blockage in the jets, the hose line or pipe work after the pump. To check for a blockage start by removing the brush, does this clear the DE? If not then next disconnect the pole hose and so on through elimination you may end up right back at the pump outlet.
5.  If this doesn't clear the problem, you will want to disconnect the hose from the pump outlet so it has a guaranteed open outlet, then try again. 
6. Finally if none of the above is able to assist, you may need to recalibrate the controller - follow this calibration guide to do so

There are a number of factors that will affect DE and the length of time it takes the control to DE and stop the pump:

1. Ambient air temperature. The temperature will effect the hose wall stiffness and expansion qualities of the hose. The change to hose wall expansion will effect how long the system takes to pressure up
2. The thickness and stiffness of the hose wall.
3. The size of the hose or microbore.
4. Low Battery voltage.

In our tests we have found that a drop in voltage will slightly increase the dead end detection time but this change is minuscule. Certainly, this tiny increase will not cause any extra wear on the pump, battery or fittings. In addition, remember that as the voltage drops the pump will run slower, dropping flowrates and pressures.