RO/DI wastewater

[keepsmesane]

I am not that new to the hobby, but I am new to RO/DI and plumbing in general.

I am getting ready to buy and set on up a RO/DI, but am confused about the shutting off and the wastewater issues.

I was planning on hooking a "Y" up to the cold washing machine laundry line and running in the in off a hose bib. Also planning to dump the waste water in the washer drain or my sump hole (basement) which is right beside my clothes washer.
Does the unit have to have water running to it all the time?, or can I turn the tap water (laundry valve) on and off to the unit every time I use it (since I am not going to be using a holding tank/reservoir with float valve Auto shut off for now. maybe later, but not ready to take that leap yet).

I am thinking that if it is hooked up to the laundry line, and not shut off, it will run and run and run, and wastewater with continually run out of the unit???

I am confused!

[sdc19982002]

Yes. Turn it off when not using it.

[strout]

I ahve mine set up just the way your talking about. My Y fitting has a shut off for each side of the Y, I leave the one going to the washer on and just turn the one going to the RO unit on when I am making water.

[Sisterlimonpot]

I do the same thing... I Y'd it off the washer machine with a valve that allowed me to shut off supply to the RODI when I'm not using it. That way you lessen the chance to walk into a flooded floor.

[jgln]

Originally posted by keepsmesane


I am thinking that if it is hooked up to the laundry line, and not shut off, it will run and run and run, and wastewater with continually run out of the unit???

Not to mention the clean water, I doubt you would need or be able to store that much clean water. Turn the water sourse off when you are done. However since I only "make" water when I need it I have no idea how to plumb an outo topoff system that would also turn on/off the RODI sourse when it is needed. I would be interested in how that is done if it is possible.

[James79]

You could also install an auto-shutoff valve on ro/di unit. It will shut off source water when a valve on pure water line is closed. This is easier than reaching behind washer, you'll still need a valve on Y fitting so you can change filters.

[James79]

Sorry didn't read your post well thought you weren't ready for auto topoff system for sump. The auto shut-off is easy to install and coralife makes a cheap valve that I'm using without problems. Just place a ball valve on end of pure water line and a few seconds after closing valve source water shuts off. It cost 20 bucks online and came with a float valve, very easy to install even with typically poor coralife instructions.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally posted by James79
You could also install an auto-shutoff valve on ro/di unit. It will shut off source water when a valve on pure water line is closed. This is easier than reaching behind washer, you'll still need a valve on Y fitting so you can change filters.

As long as the shut off valve is on the beginning side of you RODI unit. I wouldn't want to have pressure on the unit while I'm not using it. Something about those slip fitting that I don't trust under constant pressure.

[James79]

I haven't heard of too many failures from john guest style fittings. Most refrigerators and undersink filters use them.
Try to pull one apart without releasing the fitting, bet you can't.
It also seems that the pressure helps keep the DI resin from channeling by squeezing it the top of canister.

[jgln]

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
As long as the shut off valve is on the beginning side of you RODI unit. I wouldn't want to have pressure on the unit while I'm not using it. Something about those slip fitting that I don't trust under constant pressure.

I was going to ask but wanted to do some reasearch also. I could not really understand how the shut offs worked, they all seem to work on the princible of built up or excessive pressure.

[jgln]

Originally posted by jgln
I was going to ask but wanted to do some reasearch also. I could not really understand how the shut offs worked, they all seem to work on the princible of built up or excessive pressure.

And from what I understand they are talking about storage tank pressure, so I still don't know how I could use one for an open bucket storage.

[Sisterlimonpot]

I have a ball valve on both sides of my RODI and when I shut off the outlet side I have all kinds of small seeps that I can't seem to stop leaking. All it takes is one of those plastic tubes to pop off and... well you know what happens next.... I just like to weigh on the side of caution and turn it off on the inlet side and alleviate the problem altogether

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally posted by jgln
And from what I understand they are talking about storage tank pressure, so I still don't know how I could use one for an open bucket storage.

I'm pretty sure more people just dump water into an open bucket (like a Rubbermaid) than a storage tank. Just put a ball valve on the inlet side and turn it on when you need it and turn it off when you’re done.

[adam_not4u]

You can buy a mechanical float switch that has a hole going through it for the water to pass through when the float goes up the valve closes and the water doesn't pass.

I bought a $30 wireless pump from air, water and ice (RC spon.) that uses the flow from the waste water to make more clean (better quality) water faster. It saves up to 80% waste water!!

I got the float switch from Marine Depot (RC spon.) for like $12
I'm putting together a syphon break auto-top off system now that uses no pumps and only one float switch to keep it full.

It's not good to run RO/DI's all the time my top off will fill automatic once it empties and will sit until the water level drains all the way down

[James79]

With the auto shutoff you put the ball valve on the output side and the ASO turns off input water to RO membrane. This stops RO from drying out between uses and seems to help DI resin.
If any of your fittings leak under pressure they should be replumbed.

[Sisterlimonpot]

How is your membrane going to dry out? Water is still in there (in all the filters for that matter) it's just not under pressure. Hence the avoidance of a flood.

[mmedeiros2]

The waste and product lines comming out of the membrane should be higher than the membrane if you want the membrane to be fully submerged in water when the unit is not running. If not, the membrane will gravity drain down to the lowest fitting.

[keepsmesane]

thanks everyone!
good advice!

I think I am ready now.

I might try to incorporate a tub/reservoir auto shut off float valve system, but the auto top off to the sump may take some serious thinking/planning. that is because I do not have a good way to run a line from the RODI unit or holding tub, cause the RODI and tub/reservoir unit will be in the laundry room in the basement and the display tank and sump is in another room, 30 ft away in the basement. not sure how to run the water line to it???
finished basement with slab floor.

[mmedeiros2]

If you have a drop ceiing, go above that. If not and you have baseboard heat, follow the piping if possible. If you don't have either, the only thing that I think you can do to hide the tubing is to either knotch the sheet rock at each stud behind the baseboard molding, or run it under the carpet near the molding. Possibly outboard of the carpet tackless if there is enough room between the tackless and the molding not to leave a lump at the edge of the carpet.

[kaylo]

After a few small floods in my basement while making top off water, I would suggest getting a timer.

I simply got a Y off my washing machine connection and went to Taget ($10.99) and got a 2hour dial timer for a garden hose. Put that inbetween the Y and the intake for the RO/DI unit and set the dial to 2 hours. This fills my water tub to where I have enough top off water for the week and if I happen to forget i'm making water, I don't go downstairs to a minor flood of wasted RO/DI water.

There are more intensive timers for irrigation systems at stores with a gardening centers, but I guess get what suits your budget/needs.