HELP please? RO/DI filter problem

[goldmaniac]

ok
Can someone give help on diagnosing this problem?

I have a Kent Maxxima Hi-S 4-stage RO/DI, rated 35 gpd. It's worked for a long time but something is clogged/not working and want to ask before I take it all apart to no avail.

No waste water being created
all filters replaced now, same result.

The waste water has stoppped coming out of the filter when I run it. usually a high drip/slow flow out of waste line, and fast drip out of the finished end. Still have the fast drip of finished water, but no waste water.

I thought it was the membrane, but since that's the most expensive, I replaced the other three stage filters first. They probably needed it, anyway.

Replaced the 1 micron sediment filter, the carbon block filter, and the DI last week. Ran the filter. Same result - finished water, but no waste water. no huge surprise.

this week, ordered and received the 10 inch RO membrane from bulkReefSupply.com. Good price, too. Fits perfectly, rated at 50 psi and 75 gpd.

Last night, ran it all night, still no waste water, I kept pressure at 30 psi.

Any suggestions, anyone?

 

[goldmaniac]

and my TDS meter broke, need to borrow/buy a new one.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

My unit recommends a 4:1 ratio of waste to finished water, there is a nob for adjusting this ratio, if it is turned completely one way that could be the problem. On my unit the adjustment nob I am referring to is the only metal object on the unit (beside the frame of course).
Do you have a PSI meter?
If so what does it say while flowing?

 

[goldmaniac]

yes, i have a PSI, I kept it at about 30 psi overnight.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Can you adjust the PSI?

 

[goldmaniac]

yes, i can adjust , as it's hooked up to a faucet. I was watching the psi change last night, i would guess it's the new RO membrane adjusting. But yes, I can adjust. recommended psi of this new RO membrane is 50 psi

thanks

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Can you adjust on the RO unit?
If so that is the control for the ratio of waste water to RO water.
You you can turn that all the way in both directions and you still get no waste water something is clogged.

 

[wrott]

Sounds like the flow restrictor is clogged.
Unscrew the waste water line and pull out the small (probably orange restrictor--I use my teeth), blow through it both ways.
You can screw the waste tube back on and flush the membrane of anything large enough to clog the restrictor.

 

[goldmaniac]

So run the filter without the restrictor to blow out anything clogging it, and then I would guess put the restrictor back in?

 

[Anemonebuff]

I would get a new restrictor. They do not last forever, the constant pressure can warp them.

I know this is the wrong size, but they are easier to use and last longer IME:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/p447/75-GPD-FLOW-RESTRICTOR-WITH-QUICK-FITTINGS/product_info.html

 

[Anemonebuff]

Here is a 50gpd inline restrictor:
http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/~buckeyef/Flow-Restrictor-Cartridge-p117.html

 

[goldmaniac]

Thanks

I put an add-on flush kit onto the waste line, i pulled it apart and inside the 1/4" OD tube was a needle-thin tube which seems to have been the restrictor. it was clogged. I had a 1 mL syringe and that small needle was small enough to un-clog it.

I didn't know that the waste line had/has a restrictor in it. I'll get the Buckeye Reef restrictor as a replacement -

Flow seems to be back to normal after clearing the clog and putting everything back together

thanks everyone -

Eric G.

 

[polyppetey]

Hi Eric, I met you at Dave and Cyndis house and was at your place once, I have a TDS if you want to try it out. Pete.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Get that pressure up if you can. 50 psi is just what the membrane is spec'ed at. It will perform better at higher pressures. Crank the pressure up to fo higher than 85 or 90 psi if you can.

Check the waste water to purified water ratio - should be about a 4:1.

Russ