Automatic flush of RO produtction water

[n240sxle91]

First let me say that I know there are kits to automate flushing the RO membrane. This is NOT what I am looking to do.

When your RO unit first turns on the water it produces is high in TDS. This is due to TDS creep. It normally starts producing low TDS water after about 15-30 seconds. This water can use up your DI resin quickly. If you drain the first 15 to 30 seconds of water that the RO membrane produces before it goes to your DI filter you can fix this problem.

My top off water is completely automated by my Apex controller, so I am not around to flush this high TDS RO water manually. Using my Apex to flush the high TDS RO water would be easy, but my Apex is not in the same room as the RO unit. I'm looking into if my Apex could wirelessly control an outlet.

If the Apex can not control an outlet wirelessly I would need to do this some other way. I'm thinking of maybe using the pressure switch BRS sells with an Arduino (since I already have an Arduino). Any ideas or thoughts? Thanks for any input!

 

[jshepherd]

If you are able to run a usb cable and a Eb4 I have a program that works in Apex to do what you are looking for.

I run a di and a ro solenoid and let the ro solenoid dump for 30 seconds.

 

[n240sxle91]

That sounds great! I don't currently have an extra eb4, but I'll look into getting one. If you'd be willing to give me that program that would be awesome! Thanks!

 

[n240sxle91]

Sorry, I jumped the gun. My usb cable would have to be over 40 feet long! I'll have to keep thinking about other options. Thanks anyway!

 

[BIGD0G]

You can buy 40+ foot USB cables.

 

[n240sxle91]

I'll have to check that out. For some reason I thought usb couldn't go that far. I'll measures the distance and check that out. Thanks!

 

[Crackem]

If you are able to run a usb cable and a Eb4 I have a program that works in Apex to do what you are looking for.

I run a di and a ro solenoid and let the ro solenoid dump for 30 seconds.

I'm in the process of upgrading and I'm curious as to how to set this up? Could you please explain?

 

[BIGD0G]

Some on here are using 75+ foot usb cables.

 

[Raul-7]

I'm in the process of upgrading and I'm curious as to how to set this up? Could you please explain?

I assume he has 2 solenoids; one feeding his DI unit and another leading to a drain. So he programs the drain solenoid to turn on for 30 seconds; it then closes and the other solenoid opens running the water through the DI resin.

 

[n240sxle91]

Yeah, that's exactly how I'm going to run mine. I think this will greatly extend the life of the DI.

I've decided not to run a USB cable. It would have to be run through the ceiling and that's not really possible anymore. However, after talking to my father about it he came up with a great idea. I'll explain below.

I have my Apex set to only allow top off water to my sump from 11am to noon. This keeps the RO unit from turning on and off all day. It also gives me peace of mind that the most likely time I'd have a failure would be when I'm home and awake (stay at home dad).

Knowing that my RO unit turns on at 11am everyday my father suggested I just get a digital outlet timer. Set it to turn on at 10:55am and off at 11:02. The outlet timer will open and close the solenoids. I found a wifi outlet on amazon that you can control from your phone, and it has a timer function too. A wifi outlet should be able to keep accurate time too, so keeping it in sync with the Apex shouldn't be a problem. I'll waste a bit more water this way, but it beats trying to get a cable to my RO unit.

I ordered the wifi outlet and the solenoid, so I'll let you guys know how it works when it's all setup!

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

I'd up that time period to 60 seconds, unless you have data to support the 30 seconds.

Russ

 

[n240sxle91]

Good point! However, with the way I'm going to do it it'll be more like 2~3 minutes. So I should be covered.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

That may be too much. If it were me, I'd run some tests with your system to generate this sort of data. Will tell you exactly how to set that duration:

In this case, 60 to 70 seconds would do the trick.

Russ

 

[n240sxle91]

I'd like to do that, but with the way I'm doing it I have to try to sync an outlet timer with my Apex. I'm guessing the digital outlet timer won't keep perfect time, so I'll need to have a minute or two of buffer in there. If I can keep the two devices in sync I'll try to get it down to one minute. I'll let you guys know how it works out when I get it setup.

I'm planning on getting a home automation system installed in a month or two, so when I do that I'll have that control the RO solenoids. The home automation system sets its clock to the internet just like the Apex, so keeping the two in sync won't be an issue and I'll be able to have the flush only run for as long as necessary.

As a side note, I ordered an extra solenoid and I'm going to automate the flushing of the RO as well. Fun stuff!

 

[aaronpentz]

Your apex can control x10 appliance outlets. You can use these and just connect solenoid valves to power adapters then to the x10 outlets no need for an eb4 or the usb cable.

 

[jshepherd]

I just now received the reply notification, that's odd.

RO_SOL programming

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Outlet DI_SOL = ON Then ON
If Outlet RO_Timer = ON Then OFF
If Time 09:00 to 09:02 Then ON
If Time 12:15 to 12:17 Then ON
If Time 16:00 to 16:02 Then ON

Virtual outlet RO_Timer
Set OFF
If Outlet DI_SOL = ON Then ON
Defer 002:00 Then ON


The If time statements are just to fill my dogs water bowl

 

[n240sxle91]

jshepherd, that's awesome that you have your dogs water bowl fill up automatically! I was actually thinking about doing the same thing for our cats' water bowl. It's a project on the back burner for now, but some day I'll get that done.

Your apex can control x10 appliance outlets. You can use these and just connect solenoid valves to power adapters then to the x10 outlets no need for an eb4 or the usb cable.

I looked into that, but it seemed like most people had bad luck getting the x10 to work reliably. I will just have my home automation system turn the solenoids on and off.

I do have an update. I received my solenoids today and installed them. So far everything is working as planned. I am currently using a digital outlet timer, but I'll only use it until I get my home automation setup next month. The time drifts on the digital timer, so it won't stay in sync with the Apex long term. That being said, it takes a couple of weeks for it to lose a minute, so it'll work well enough to get me by.