RO/DI Troubleshooting help needed

[Tag]

Can someone give me some ideas on trying to correct my RO/DI system.....

My TDS reading was 8 so I changed ALL of my filters minus RO membrane ---- 1 sediment, 2 carbons, and 1 DI (horizontal type). All filters were sealed new, but I have had them for four years setting in the closet.
After dumping about 30 gallons of water I could not get my TDS below 20, so since my RO membrane was about four years old - I ordering a new RO membrane from one of our sponsors (150GPD) - still no help..............

Specs: after running about another 30 gallons of water.
Tap TDS 180 @ 65 degrees
RO TDS 19 @ 68 degrees --- 51PSI
DI TDS 18 @ 68 degrees ---- 51PSI

I'm lost
<hr class="bbcode_rule" />
need help.

Thx

 

[bimmerzs]

Tag,

First it looks like your input water pressure is kinda low, which could be affecting the performance of your unit, 65psi is a more normal number but could be off on that. I would first recheck and make sure all of the cartridges are seated correctly and not allowing water to bypass. Was your original membrane a 150GPD unit, if not you would also need to replace the flow restrictor with one for 150GPD. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/flow-restrictor-for-150-gpd-membrane.html Try putting all of the original stuff back in a see if it the TDS goes back to 8(which is not bad). Good luck bro!

Cheers,

 

[Tag]

Good Idea on putting the old filters back in, but there is a problem with that....... They are already sitting in the the city of Carrollton's land fill. [smilie=lol.gif]

The unit was originally a 100gpd system and worked fine, but it was time to change the filters.
Because of boasting of how great the 150 membrane was, I decided to order one and it came with a flow restrictor, but It did not solve the problem and not being a pro @ Ro systems I began to read up on them -- which I should of done in the beginning. I have since learned that pressure plays a big part, and my unit did not come with a pressure gauge - so I went to Lowes and got the parts to install one. Thats when I first saw what my pressure was.

I'm guessing the 150 just needs more pressure than I have to work.... If I had ordered a 75gpd I may have been ok.. but who knows???

I ordered a booster pump today, so that will definitely take the pressure question away, and hopefully solve the problem.........(fingers crossed). I also ordered a vertical DI setup because I wasn't impressed with the drop of 1 TDS from my horizontal unit. I could of just spent $40 and tried the 75gpd membrane, but the bottom line was I needed to increase the pressure either way.

That another $200 to the hobby [smilie=angry.gif]

Thanks - bimmerzs

 

[Jeff]

Are you measuring the final TDS directly from the exit flow or from a collection container? It could be the container is contaminated or dirty too.

 

[Tag]

@DheereCrossing wrote:

From a clean glass and a TDS pin. I have 5 gallon jugs of water made prior to the filter replacement and two shows 8 and one shows 5. Along with my booster pump order, I have a dual inline TDS meter coming too.

Thx.

 

[melev]

The TDS coming out of your system at 18 isn't a big deal, but after the DI is. If you can take the DI section and turn it vertically, that may help. If the resin isn't filling the chamber completely, water will pass right over it.

18 going into DI will use it up more quickly than if it was in the single digits, that's all.

 

[Tag]

Ok --- Update (problem solved).

Received and installed the booster pump: this brought the pressure from 51psi to 65psi ---- TDS now coming out of the RO is 3 . Replaced the horizontal DI chamber with a vertical type chamber --- TDS out of the DI is 0


I think the pressure was the key here............. [smilie=whew.gif]


Maybe this experience can help someone else with RO/DI issues
Thx guys
Tag