RO/DI meltdown

[carriej]

I'm about to BURN IT.

So I bought a used Aquasafe 7 stage RO/DI system. It is only a few months old and came with all brand new inserts, etc.

I had my husband hook it all up and bolt it to the wall, and it's all hooked up properly. However we did not pierce the plumbing or anything like that.

I inspected it and it's all correct as far as I can see - here is the issue.

I can't get any water to come out of the good water line, at all. Depending on how much I turn the brass valve I can get tons of water from the waste (it just rushes out) but I get nothing from the good line. I let it go all day the other day and I got about half an inch in my bucket.

It doesn't seem to be going through the membrane.. If I detach the three DI stages there is no water coming out of that line. For whatever reason, it's all taking the path of least resistance out the bad water line and down the drain and isn't making me any water.

Someone please help me before I trash the thing.

 

[Gbear]

Do you have a water pressure guage on the unit?

I'm not an expert but I think you need at least 30psi and closer to 50 or even 60 is better.

I would take the RO membrane completely out and re-assemble without it for a flow test.

Any fitting that could be a check valve on backwards? That you shut it down for sure too.

Good luck.

 

[carriej]

I don't have a pressure gauge - but there is tons of water pressure and when I removed the tubing to see why it wasn't working there was lots of pressure built up inside (scared myself).

I will double check the fittings again but we have taken it apart and reassembled several times, following the instructions and the diagrams on their website (aquasafe)...

However I will try once again

 

[mikebow16]

Check to see if you have the flow restrictor on outlet. It sounds like there is no pressure on the membrane. It will either be a insert in outlet of the membrane or a cylinder like connection on the outlet. Also the flow rate has to match the membrane a 75 gpd restrictor will not work on a 50 gpd membrane.




Mike

 

[power boat jim]

Loosen the large plastic see through canisters that hold the pre filter, DI resin and the carbon filter. Sometimes they airlock. Make sure the water is on when you do this. Once water is running out the top of canister tighten it back up. This happens to mine when I change filters.

 

[carriej]

I'm a little confused. What do you mean by having the flow restrictor on outlet? ... I'm so not a handy woman!

 

[power boat jim]

I see the filters on you unit are not clear plastic, they are white and not see through. These are the ones to loosen and let the air purge out of if you already have not.

 

[hoaglanddiver]

I second what MikeBow said.. be sure there's a flow restrictor on it.. Also, if you have a "flush" make sure the valve is closed.

 

[carriej]

Tried all your guys suggestions... Nuffin

Why won't it work.. I must be too clueless to get this going!

Took it all apart - it is assembled correctly, clean, and most filters are new (and yes, packaging has been removed..lol) and I have the brass valve thing going. I played with it. I can get a TEENY bit of water like I said when it was almost shut, but the more I open it the faster water comes out the bad line and none out of the good line.

Im frustrated

 

[Dapg8gt]

Have you tried to contact the manufacturer directly? Did the previous seller state why they were selling. Hopefully it's not a defective unit.. Good luck I hate when something I get a good deal on turns into a hassle Lol.

 

[carriej]

Manufacturer directs me to the website where they have instructions... They don't like that I don't have it piercing my pipes and they don't want to help me.

I know the guy I bought it from (whom I asked to buy it when he upgraded to a whole in house system) - he is not sure why it isn't working and the unit is basically brand new only was used for a few months, still lots of spare filters etc. He feels terrible it isn't working but he had someone come set it up for him and isn't sure how to help me..

 

[MGM_]

Do you have an Auto shut off valve installed? These can get stuck very easily. If it was hooked to a pressure tank it will have an auto shut off valve. Flow is only abt 3 gallons/hr which equates to 6 oz per minute (for 75GPD unit).

 

[carriej]

Nope no auto shut off valve.. Only valves are the flow restrictor and the on/off valve

I get nothing.. Not a drop of water comes from the good water line, maybe a few drops.. Bu that's it. I've tried leaving it on all day and still nothing. Any amount comes out of the bad water line (can be adjusted with flow restrictor) but I cant get any to come out of the membrane. I took the DI units off and still can't get any out, so I know the issue is with the 4th stage or the actual membrane... BAH

Wish someone could come look at it.. lol... before I toss the entire thing

 

[11purewater]

you may have a tear in your brine seal on the membrane.

 

[carriej]

How does one tell? The membrane is like a big hunk of blue metal... Is there a way to determine if it's bad? It's only a few months old, aren't they supposed to last a few years?

 

[11purewater]

do you have a picture?

 

[pwreef]

You have an adjustable flow restrictor? Never heard of one. You need to take lots of pictures for us to help you.

 

[Kabuto]

There is usually a check valve on the permeate output of the ro housing. It could be bad. Also make sure the permeate hose isn't blocked. The permeate is the middle output of the membrane. Make sure you don't have it and the waste mixed up.

 

[carriej]

Well I think it's the flow restrcitor... Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about either!! Lol

I will take some pictures and post later. I might take a video aswell.

 

[carriej]

OK.

Good news. We have a steady trickle! Bad news, it's not nearly enough. It's a 100gpd system and I think in an hour I got like MAYBE 1 gallon.

My husband found a piece and put it in. It was like a seal or something - a little ring that fit inside the RO membrane. Styrofoam. Well, atleast we think that's where it goes.

Here are some pictures.. As you can see we have it hooked directly up to the main water line with lots of pressure. This is in the basement so forgive the dust..lol

Should those DI units not be full of water?