R.O. Pressue Problem - Advice Needed

M

Meaty24

New member
I live in NYC in an apartment. My water pressure is very low. When I hook up the R.O., I only get pressure readings of less and 5 psi.

It takes forever to make water. But, my real question is whether I am getting good RO water? Does the low pressure stop the RO from removing all the bad stuff?

I think I need a booster pump, but man, all that equipment in a small apt. is tough.
 
Do you have a TDS meter? My PSI is usually 40. You could try a booster they're not that big.
 
Last edited:
One more thing... when I close one of the valves (the one ontop of the horizontal cartridge), the pressure jumps up to 40 psi. Also, the water output increases dramatically (and no, I am not confusing the waste line with the RO output line).

As I understand, when I close the above referencec valve, the until is not working properly and I am simply flushing the horizontal cartridge).

Am I doing something very wrong?
 
if you're RO/DI or just RO system works like mine - you need to opperate that waste line vavle in the shut position. Just open it to backwash every once and a while. When it's closed it should still let some water get by as it's not a true shut off valve just a back pressure valve.

So the backpressure valve on the waste line should be;

- open for backfushing (cleaning RO filter)
- closed for operation, but you should still get some flow.

HTH
 
I would definitely get a booster pump, although the water that you do get is probably better quality if the pressure is lower. I believe the valve you are referring to is the Flushing valve like you said, and it should be in the closed position when you want to make water, and open when you want to flush it. How does it work when the valve is closed and at 40PSI?
 
When it closed, I only get 5 psi or less. And the water takes for ever to make.

When it is open, the pressure jumps to 40 psi and the water comes out pretty quickly... but not ridicilously fast like the waste line.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12571634#post12571634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Meaty24
When it closed, I only get 5 psi or less. And the water takes for ever to make.

When it is open, the pressure jumps to 40 psi and the water comes out pretty quickly... but not ridicilously fast like the waste line.
Click to expand...

I sounds like something is hooked up wrong - if it's like mine anyway. I've heard of a couple cases where they came hooked up wrong so it wouldn't surpise me.

with the valve open, the pressure should drop and flow decrease out of the RO, this rinses the RO membrane. On mine the valve handle is straight or in line with the tubing

with the valve close it should still alow some water out of the waste line but it provids the backpressure to push the water through the RO membrane. This alows for the water to still flow over the membrane and out the waste line taking the larger particles that don't pass through the membrane with it.

Is the backpressure valve on the waste line or someplace else?
 
I am going to check it out tonight. I am at work. PLEASE check back and help me with this issue. It has been driving me crazy.
 
sounds to me like your pressure is fine and like psteele said...soenthiung is hooked up wrong. 40 of course isnt optimum for maximum production, but thats what storage containers are for, and 40 is plenty good enough to get perfect water out of it

My pressure from my well is between 40 and 50.........and I have never even considered a booster pump
 
Re: R.O. Pressue Problem - Advice Needed

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12570875#post12570875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Meaty24
I live in NYC in an apartment. My water pressure is very low.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised... I had a buddy who lived in the upper west side and his water pressure was the highest I had ever seen. You actually had to be careful while taking a shower, or you'd get shot in the groin with what felt like water coming out of a fire hose.

What part of town do you live in?
 
OK, I think I got it... with your help.

I have the black flush valve going from 12 to 6 o'clock (I guess this is closed).

Then I have the midde blue valve going from 9 to 6 o'clock and the blue valve all the way to the left from 12 to 6 o'clock.

That got up the pressure to 50 psi. The water comes out a decent rate... not just drips (it is not suppose to just trip right?)

Does this sound right to everyone?

Also, it is no biggie to leave water sitting in the chambers once you turn off the faucet (and leave it there until you use the unit again next month). If I am not suppose to, then how do you get the water out?
 
what size unit is it??

the average 75 or so gpd unit should be coming out as drips...a fast drip out of the product line. roughly 4 times that much should be coming out if the waste line

as far as leaving water in.....its fine...but its always a good idea to dump the first few gallons of product after the unit has been sitting unused for a while


you can pick up a handheld TDS meter for $20-$50. they are a necessary peice of equipment IMO and will always tell you in seconds if your unit is working right, or if you need to change the filters
 
do this....

get a container with a known measurement......and time how long it takes to fill up. do this for both the product and the waste line and report back......

also let us know what unit specifically you are using
 
yeah - most of the sponsors that sell RO units will sell a TDS meter (total dissolved solids)

you should be getting a reading of zero with set of good filters

I think the "filter guys" site has a diagram of a RO/DI set up under the instructions tab. If your'e set up looks like theirs you may be able to use it to check you hookups.
 
Re: Re: R.O. Pressue Problem - Advice Needed

Re: Re: R.O. Pressue Problem - Advice Needed

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12572844#post12572844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MJDiP
I'm surprised... I had a buddy who lived in the upper west side and his water pressure was the highest I had ever seen. You actually had to be careful while taking a shower, or you'd get shot in the groin with what felt like water coming out of a fire hose.

What part of town do you live in?
Click to expand...

I live in Astoria and I have 100 psi and 27PPM on the tds meter. nyc has the best water around.

5psi? thats insanely low, id talk to my landlord or get a booster pump... well you kinda have to anyway.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12571351#post12571351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Meaty24
One more thing... when I close one of the valves (the one ontop of the horizontal cartridge), the pressure jumps up to 40 psi. Also, the water output increases dramatically (and no, I am not confusing the waste line with the RO output line).

As I understand, when I close the above referencec valve, the until is not working properly and I am simply flushing the horizontal cartridge).

Am I doing something very wrong?
Click to expand...

Yes you are doing someting wrong, and I am suprised no one caught this. If that valve looks like this:

MEMBRANEFLUSHKIT.jpg


Then when it is closed it is running normally, When it is open you are flushing them RO membrane. It sounds like you are thinking it is the oposite way. Either way you will need a booster pump as 40 psi is still low. My tap water runs at 80psi without a booster pump!
 
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