This guide explains how to fill and prime your Orion with water. You need to complete this before using the system.
The Orion app walks you through it. The steps below explain what to expect and how to avoid the common mistakes.
What will I need?
Distilled water
Your Control Tower powered on
The Orion app installed and paired with your device
A pitcher or large cup
Do not add water until the app tells you to.
When do I fill the system?
Only after the Control Tower is powered on, the device is paired in the app, and the app has entered fill and priming mode.
The system cannot fill correctly without the app guiding it.
How do I fill and prime it?
Remove the wooden lid from the top of the Control Tower
When the app prompts you, slowly pour distilled water into the top reservoir
Fill only to the bottom of the funnel opening
The pumps move water from the reservoir into the system
Follow the timers and instructions in the app
Expect to be prompted to add water more than once
Keep going until the app confirms filling is complete
Priming usually takes five to ten minutes.
What will I hear during priming?
Priming is louder than normal running. That is expected.
Louder pump noise before water reaches the whole system
Changes in sound as water starts circulating
Short pauses between fill cycles
Once primed, noise drops significantly. See Noise and Vibration for what normal running sounds like.
How do I know priming is finished?
The app confirms the process is complete
The system stops asking for water
Normal operating sounds return
What mistakes should I avoid?
Adding water before the app asks for it
Overfilling past the bottom of the funnel opening
Using anything other than distilled water
Stopping before the app confirms completion
If the system says it needs water but the reservoir has water in it, tap the side of the Control Tower firmly a few times. This releases trapped air and is the standard fix. If that does not work, see My Orion Is Stuck In Needs Water Mode.
How will I know when water is low?
The Control Tower shows a gently pulsing white light
The app notifies you
Top up with distilled water when prompted.
What is the ongoing maintenance?
Very little.
No regular water changes. Orion does not need draining or refreshing in normal use
Use distilled water whenever you top up
Add a cleaning tablet once every 6 to 8 months. You do not need one every time you top off the water
If you drain the system for moving or storage and then refill it, add a cleaning tablet at that point.
What if something seems wrong?
Unplug the device and contact Orion Support if you notice:
Very loud or unusual noises
Water leaking onto the floor
The system unable to finish priming after repeated attempts