Multiple booster pump question

[dodgerblew]

This might be a dumb question. I currently run the Vertex Puratek 4 stage RO/DI. I've expanded it to a 7 stage with the addition of a single stage prefilter canister from source water with a tds meter to anther prefilter > carbon > chloromine > RO membrane > an additional two stage with double DI > finished. The Vertex has a built in booster pump. All membranes and canister filters, flow restrictor etc are Spectrapure and high end and quite new. I'm currently running a 4:1 ratio of waste:clean water and it's Taking about 60 minutes to make 5 gallons. Here's my question. I purchased a brand new Aquaticlife Smart Buddie booster. A very well respected hobbyist friend of mine uses it and told me nothing better.

My question is, do I need to disconnect the already installed pump and switch out with the Smart Buddie or can I piggyback them from Vertex pump to the SB?

 

[Misled]

I wouldn't piggyback them. At some point the second in line may push more than the first. I don't know if it would hurt either pump in the short term. It may long term though. I also don't think it would change the pressure anyway. The way most boosters are designed would probably keep that happening. Take the old one out and just keep it for a spare.

 

[dodgerblew]

Thanks Jesse. I'll need to research how to remove it

 

[Misled]

Where is the pump located in the line? I know, prolly a dumb question too. :lol: But humor me. Take a pic.

 

[dodgerblew]

The line enters the booster from the chloromine canister which sits directly underneath the pump on left. Water enters pump from backside and you can see the line coming off the front of the pump that then goes into the membrane.

 

[tkeracer619]

So why are you changing out the booster pump? You're getting 120gpd, that pump is rated for 100gpd. It may be a downgrade.

 

[dodgerblew]

My RO/DI and original components are probably 8 years old more or less. As mentioned in my original post I'm getting 4 (maybe a tad more):1 ratio and five gallons is taking about an hour. I thought maybe the booster pump isn't what it used to be. I was visiting a very well known hobbyist and friend who I respect about as much as you can respect any one person and admiring the new rebuild of his outdoor frag tank, dt and sump all plumbed together and his equipment and he mentioned he thought there was no better booster on the market and I should consider it. So, I did.

My Vertex machine btw is 90gpd

 

[tkeracer619]

5 gallons in an hour is 120gpd so you're doing better than 90gpd.

I've heard people like that booster pump, no experience with it myself.

I've used aquatec for years. They have various versions that allow for larger and more membranes.

See what it gets you but your current setup is already working great it seems. 4:1 is good for water quality and membrane life. The waste ratio is set by the restrictor not the booster pump, though, increasing pressure will have an effect on it.

 

[dodgerblew]

The flow restrictor is also pretty new. I used to get just over 1:1 ratio with 0 tds

 

[dodgerblew]

If you look at my pics above there's a top down of the Vertex and you can see there's a lot of electronics. I was hoping not to mess with them. I was also thinking of just disconnecting the input and output line from the existing booster and just run the lines through the Smart Buddie and see if anything changes in ratio. If the booster pump is running with no lines attached, will it burn out the pumps motor?

 

[tkeracer619]

The flow restrictor is also pretty new. I used to get just over 1:1 ratio with 0 tds

1:1 will destroy a membrane quickly unless you have soft water and the system is designed to auto flush with DI water. Your system doesn't do that. 1:1 was incorrect. 0TDS after DI is expected, that has nothing to do with the membrane and the waste ratio.

 

[tkeracer619]

If the booster pump is running with no lines attached, will it burn out the pumps motor?

Short term no, long term probably.

 

[dodgerblew]

I think what I'm going to do is to disconnect input and output from existing pump and hook up to the SB. If my ratio goes down to 3:1 then I'll consider removing the existing electronics from the unit and route it through the SB and store the other one as a backup

 

[dodgerblew]

If it doesn't improve I'll return the SB or sell locally

 

[tkeracer619]

Remember, the ratio is set by the flow restrictor. Pressure can effect this but is not how you set the waste ratio.

If you want 3:1 go get a needle valve, put it on the waste water line, and restrict it until you get 3:1. It's that simple.