What's wrong with my RO/DI unit? - Page 3

AZDesertRat · 04/30/2008, 01:56 PM

Stick with a housing like Pentek, formerly Amatek which has a proven track record in the industry.

Poisonus Yeti · 04/30/2008, 02:12 PM

Speckled Trout,

Were you sure to lube the membrane's O-rings with dish soap or o-ring lubricant before installing?

speckled trout · 05/01/2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Were you sure to lube the membrane's O-rings with dish soap or o-ring lubricant before installing?

No, I didn't. I can't see how that would affect the units performance, though, and raise the TDS level. Am I missing something?

speckled trout · 05/01/2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Then disconnect the DI from the membrane and flush 5 gallons or so from the membrane before reconnecting to the DI then finally do a couple gallon rinse up on the DI resin .

How exactly would you flush the DI? Mine is a sealed in-line canister.

Thefilterguys · 05/01/2008, 07:44 AM

OK had to step back and think about your problem it could be your membrane is over driven into your housing. Remove the membrane from the housing and reseat it but do not force it in. Use the screwing on of the cap to drive the membrane into its final seated position. With most housings the membrane will still be sticking out of the housing about 1/4" when fully seated. See if that changes your performance. If that is the problem I expect to see your RO tds drop down to the 14 to 20 range. You may need to flush the membrane a little (10-15 minutes) after reseating as improper seating can allow excess surface fouling. Don't flush until after you see if performance has changed.

Jim

wolfofstone · 05/16/2008, 11:19 PM

It is defiantly a membrane problem kudos TheFilterGuys
Many things can affect the membranes performance. check them off the list as you address them.
1000TDS how often do you manually fast flush the membrane?

1 Water quality going in(chlorine can damage membrane)

2 Damaged/defective membrane (Airwaterice has a great return policy)

3 incorrect installation (TheFilterGuy got this one)

4 draining problems (bad valve, food stuck on drain line, kinked line)

For checking drain problems, measure how much water goes out the waste line and how much RO is produced. compare it. It should be 4 to 1 to 3 to 1. if it isn't you might have a problem with your restricter valve or something along that line.

If you don't mind wasting a ton of water or if you have a garden to drain it into you can pick up and extra membrane housing and run them in line (one after the other) never seen it done but people have talked about it.

If you want me to help you over the phone, i can gladly call you or you can call me.
Can you take pictures of the way it is hooked up and post it?

04/30/2008, 02:12 PM	#52
Poisonus Yeti Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 220	Speckled Trout, Were you sure to lube the membrane's O-rings with dish soap or o-ring lubricant before installing? __________________ - Yeti

05/01/2008, 07:44 AM	#55
Thefilterguys RC Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 553	OK had to step back and think about your problem it could be your membrane is over driven into your housing. Remove the membrane from the housing and reseat it but do not force it in. Use the screwing on of the cap to drive the membrane into its final seated position. With most housings the membrane will still be sticking out of the housing about 1/4" when fully seated. See if that changes your performance. If that is the problem I expect to see your RO tds drop down to the 14 to 20 range. You may need to flush the membrane a little (10-15 minutes) after reseating as improper seating can allow excess surface fouling. Don't flush until after you see if performance has changed. Jim __________________ RO/DI Supplies & parts www.thefilterguys.biz We Custom Build Each System Phone 218 724-8000 Current Tank Info: 40 OCEANIC STRETCH HEX FRESH HEAVY PLANTED, 58 OCEANIC LPS, Monti’s ,Softy’s, 18 Nano Zoo’s , 11 Nano, 70 OCEANIC SPS New 200 Cube on the way Last edited by Thefilterguys; 05/01/2008 at 08:04 AM.

04/30/2008, 01:56 PM	#51
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Stick with a housing like Pentek, formerly Amatek which has a proven track record in the industry.

05/16/2008, 11:19 PM	#56
wolfofstone Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Victorville,CA Posts: 17	It is defiantly a membrane problem kudos TheFilterGuys Many things can affect the membranes performance. check them off the list as you address them. 1000TDS how often do you manually fast flush the membrane? 1 Water quality going in(chlorine can damage membrane) 2 Damaged/defective membrane (Airwaterice has a great return policy) 3 incorrect installation (TheFilterGuy got this one) 4 draining problems (bad valve, food stuck on drain line, kinked line) For checking drain problems, measure how much water goes out the waste line and how much RO is produced. compare it. It should be 4 to 1 to 3 to 1. if it isn't you might have a problem with your restricter valve or something along that line. If you don't mind wasting a ton of water or if you have a garden to drain it into you can pick up and extra membrane housing and run them in line (one after the other) never seen it done but people have talked about it. If you want me to help you over the phone, i can gladly call you or you can call me. Can you take pictures of the way it is hooked up and post it?