Reverse Osmosis Water Management

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Nexogen

Excuse me for intervention. You have a big problem that will cost you RO membranes. Where the Flow Restrictor is connected; you must mount a valve in parallel with the Flow Restrictor (the cylinder in which the blue tube enters and the white tube comes out) to flush membranes. I mean, Ray needs to explain to you in more detail how to flush membrane.

This is anyone’s thread Nexogen... no problemo. I’m somehow over my head for what should be an easy thing, I think. Some things, smart as a whip. Other things ummm, not so much. Not really sure why. Feel free to chime in.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Nexogen

Excuse me for intervention. You have a big problem that will cost you RO membranes. Where the Flow Restrictor is connected; you must mount a valve in parallel with the Flow Restrictor (the cylinder in which the blue tube enters and the white tube comes out) to flush membranes. I mean, Ray needs to explain to you in more detail how to flush membrane.

I have no idea what this "big problem" is. No valve is necessary in the flush line, as the flushing action occurs with normal operation of the RO system. Back-flushing is unnecessary. The membranes are designed to operate efficiently for about 12,000 gallons of throughput without it.

WW - HERE is a description of the functioning of quick-connect fittings.

[Nexogen]

Any serious RO system includes automatic flushing. 5 years ago I bought from Amazon exactly a system presented by WaterWitchin and after one (1) month of operation the flow was reduced by half.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Nexogen

Any serious RO system includes automatic flushing. 5 years ago I bought from Amazon exactly a system presented by WaterWitchin and after one (1) month of operation the flow was reduced by half.

I have been using, building and selling RO systems for greenhouse and residential use for over 30 years and have literally never needed to back flush.

If the output changes that drastically that quickly, either your water is really hard - and I mean REALLY hard - or there is something wrong with the design or setup. Or, thinking about it more, did your water temperature or pressure change significantly?

I have been using a similar unit of my own design and construction for about a year now, and I get about a gallon of 6-8 microSiemen/cm water in 20 minutes. The membrane is rated at 50 gpd @ 25 psi, but with my warm water and line pressure, I get a lot more.

[Nexogen]

The experience I have is empirical, I wanted RO and for the first time I bought a ready-made system. In the meantime I realized that I can build my own and back flush is good in "cleaning" the membrane. Probably going without a back flush. I saw what happens without. Nowadays, the cost of a membrane is low and you can do as you wish, which is why I chose to go with 300 ml/min restriction for 100gpd and back flush even if I have RO 3-5ppm output. In fact a membrane 400 gpd + housing costs around US$ 50 from Aliexpress, it is not expensive, for me it was important to be small.

[WaterWitchin]

Okay, back on page 2, remember this series of conversation?

Originally Posted by Subrosa

One brand I've installed (Coralife if memory serves) marked the ports "in" and "out", but without marking which side of the system was for product water. But the unit is assymmetrical, so by comparing with the illustration the proper hook up became apparent.

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 AM ----------

And this....

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Yes Subrosa... "apparent" being the operative word. You forget who we're dealing with here... ME.

I'm the one who had to have remedial training to learn how to operate those push/click connectors to get my mister set up. What a pro I became by the time I got the RO going.

---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 AM ----------

And then this?

Originally Posted by Ray

Every one I've ever seen has screw heads visible on one side - that's the "pure water" side of the switch.

So I look today, and APPARENTLY I have installed completely backward. And supposedly my TDS inline meter will arrive today. Last time I had this much fun was a root canal back in late '90s.

And I will try the needle nose pliers Roberta. Plus with Ray's quick connect graphics, I see at the bottom there's some little tool one can use to help with disconnecting. I can get one off Amazon for under $7. Definitely need to look into that. Because now I'll have to take it apart piece by piece and reassemble once I can figure out where I got the RO system from and order new cartridges and a membrane.

More fun to follow later today....

[Nexogen]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Okay, back on page 2, remember this series of conversation?

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 AM ----------

And this....


---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 AM ----------

And then this?



So I look today, and APPARENTLY I have installed completely backward. And supposedly my TDS inline meter will arrive today. Last time I had this much fun was a root canal back in late '90s.

And I will try the needle nose pliers Roberta. Plus with Ray's quick connect graphics, I see at the bottom there's some little tool one can use to help with disconnecting. I can get one off Amazon for under $7. Definitely need to look into that. Because now I'll have to take it apart piece by piece and reassemble once I can figure out where I got the RO system from and order new cartridges and a membrane.

More fun to follow later today....

You don't have to disassemble everything. You must remove the Flow Restrictor (you do not need tools - press with the nail near the blue tube and with the other hand pull the tube). Put the RO installation somewhere where the water can flow. Turn on the water in the RO entrance. Allow the water to run for 20-30 minutes (to clean the coal dust and so on). Insert the blue tube back into the Flow Restrictor (you must press the tube into the restrictor). If the pipe water comes out with GREEN clamps, it's fine ... The problem is at the RO exit. Here are two problems: 1) Possible Defective Flow Restrictor (ie does not create pressure in the membrane) 2) Exit from the membrane is restricted by the hydraulic cutoff. Here you have to act ...

---------- Post added at 10:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 AM ----------

I forgot something, before you press the nail on the edge of the entrance into the flow restrictor you have to remove that little blue piece that blocks the blue tube.

[WaterWitchin]

Nexogen, I know the "how" of the quick connect and taking it on and off, and the blue clamps. The issue is arthritis, finger and hand strength, and a decent amount of clumsy because I can't feel well in those fingers. I don't have the ability to hold down the collet firmly enough AND pull back on the tube at the same time. I do think the tool will help.

What is a flow restrictor? And it was working before I tried to install the hydraulic thing... I am pretty sure I have it installed backward but haven't been down to the BatCave to look again yet.

Why wouldn't I have to disassemble each connection when I'm changing out cartridges? I don't get it.

[Nexogen]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Nexogen, I know the "how" of the quick connect and taking it on and off, and the blue clamps. The issue is arthritis, finger and hand strength, and a decent amount of clumsy because I can't feel well in those fingers. I don't have the ability to hold down the collet firmly enough AND pull back on the tube at the same time. I do think the tool will help.

What is a flow restrictor? And it was working before I tried to install the hydraulic thing... I am pretty sure I have it installed backward but haven't been down to the BatCave to look again yet.

Why wouldn't I have to disassemble each connection when I'm changing out cartridges? I don't get it.

I'm sorry, I didn't understand that you want to change the filters. Of course you have to disconnect them.
"A flow restrictor, as the name suggests, restricts the flow of RO reject water. Flow restrictor maintains high pressure inside the RO membrane (a precondition for RO purification) by creating back pressure on the membrane and also controls the recovery ratio of the purifier."
See here.
https://www.amazon.com/Malida-connec...01MRPAKUF?th=1

I have a proposal for you, when it is time to change the membrane than to try to remove it from the housing; you better buy an encapsulated membrane at a very good price. You can order it sometime before (it takes until you receive it), from this site.

Quick connect HID 100 GPD RO membrane for 5 stage water filter purifier treatment reverse osmosis system NSF/ANSI Standard-in Water Filters from Home Appliances on AliExpress

You are smart and you can build a bigger system, depending on how much RO water you need.
If you look at this site you will find larger membranes, it depends on what you want...

[WaterWitchin]

Okay folks... I had the hydraulic thing on backwards. It is now installed correctly and works. But the float valve is defective. To make a long story short, it wouldn't shut off the water flow (I tested, not filled to overflowing). I took it apart, and the little thing inside that shuts off the water when the float lifts was missing. Go figure. At least I know how a float valve works, courtesy of my dad, the plumber.

I ordered another, it will be here today. Here's hoping to report success by tomorrow sometime. The TDS thing is here. I'll install it at same time, then see if I need new cartridges. Of course, no instructions on how to install. I'll take a picture of it later today, and get some instructions on how to install. Of course, another piece of equipment with no instructions included.