**FIXED** RO filter won't stop producing waste water.

[Ram_Puppy]

Hey guys,

MY RO filter has a constant 'hiss' of working it never stops. I got underneath the sink today and started working on it, I knew i had a very slow leak in the 10 inch pre-filters. So I took care of that, but it still wouldn't stop. I finally accidentally creased the waste water line, and the hissing stopped.

So am I right in thinking this means the RO membrane is either faulty, or not seated properly? THe canister it's in is ver tight, and I am reluctant to open it back up unless I have to. For the time being, I just shut it down for fear of causing damage.

Oh, the TDS meter is showing 17 coming out of the RO housing, and 0 coming out of the DI housing if that helps..

[Tim Marvin]

Is the meter reading 0.17, if so this is a pretty low number and not a problem? You have a shut off valve on it right? DO you have an auto top off hooked to it also? Call the 800 number for help. They are very good at answering question.

[captexas]

It sounds like your RO unit is messed up. If there is no water coming out of the clean water output, the water you are seeing is not actually waste water, but tap water. Hopefully it is not just simply running through your RO filter and then down the drain as this is shortening the life of your filters. Most RO/DI units should have an auto shut-off valve so that when there is back pressure on the clean water output it stops water from entering the filters and therefore stops any waste water production. If this device is broken or hooked up wrong, you will end up with your situation, water running all day down the drain and killing your filter cartridges.

[Ram_Puppy]

Cap, Tim, thanks for the info, will call tomorrow.

[AquaFx]

The hissing noise is air trapped in the system. When you open the drain, it released.

You should be fine now.

The nature of RO is to split the water stream, therefore whenever you are producting RO water you also are producing waste (know as concentrate)

If you have any more problems Please let me know 1-877-256-3467

Marianne

PS: auto shut offs will not stop the waste water while you are making product water. You can add an auto shut off at any time you want to automate your unit. Captexas is right, this will stop the waste water when your tank/float indicates the the tank is full.

[rocketeer]

Many RO/DI systems are sold without an automatic shutoff valve that captexas described. Without it, it's normal for wastewater to be produced CONSTANTLY. Get one of these:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM1671

Jack

[falcam7]

Many RO/DI systems are sold without an automatic shutoff valve that captexas described. Without it, it's normal for wastewater to be produced CONSTANTLY. Get one of these:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM1671

Jack

Jack,

That looks good. :D :D :D

But why not support our sponsor and see if Tim Marvin(which is the local Rep for AquaFx)can get him one at a better price from the RO/DI unit maker AquaFx. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

I know they sell them, becuase I have one in my system from AquaFx.
:) :) :) :) :) :)

Thanks

[Ram_Puppy]

Marianne, the solution you provide would work if it was happening during RO production, it's not, it is a constant hiss, and I let it run open flat out for half a day to purge the air, I think Rocketeer and Falcam7 hit is on the nose.

Guys, I have an old RO system that didn't do this, and on it, there is a big plastic block with 2 ins and 2 outs... does this sound like an autoshutoff?


There is no float valve on my setup btw, just saw that on the marine depot site... I have a valve and a spigot. It was my understanding that when there was no more room for water on the other side of the membrane, the system just shut down via the simple laws of physics. I know there are no more leaks, so I am at a loss.

[JimD]

Thats weird, do you have a manual cut-off valve on the supply line? If you stop the supply, wouldnt the waste stop also? Or maybe Im missing something here.

[captexas]

Ram - yes, that plastic block is an auto shut-off valve that stops water from entering the filters when the clean water output drain line is stopped. Stopping the output feed is caused by a float valve or spigot at the clean water output at your water storage container or sump. Without that little block you speak of, the tap water runs through the filters and then follows any open path it can find which is your waste water drain line. Not having that auto shut-off will get real expensive, a high water bill from your tap running 24/7 and then using up your filters much faster than you should.

[Ram_Puppy]

whats really wierd is I have replied to this topic twice since cap wrote last, and neither post has shown up.

I installed the 'plastic block' but I think it must be defective, my old RO unit was acting squirley and I think Now I know why. I am going to order a new one from aqua FX.

[Ram_Puppy]

new one ordered. Will let you all know the results when it comes in.

[Ram_Puppy]

Wnated to Update you guys:

the new auto shut off valve I bought from Aqua FX arrived today, I promptly ripped open the package and saw an extra 'check valve' in there, something I didn't order! so, my confidence mysteriously shot (maybe it has something to do with this cold I am finally shaking) I got on the phone, and in my sick 'sexy voice' (you know the one you get when you spend more time coghing than breathing? yeah.. that one.) asked Aqua FX for help, three high quality tech support moments later, I was off the phone, installing the check valve between the RO out and the auto shutoff in, as directed. Apparently some units will 'chatter' without it. I figured it's a slice of a razor, go ahead and not have to do this twice. (Oh, i obviously installed the auto shutoff here as well). I turned the water back on, and what to my wonderment happened?

water went everywhere, rechaed down real quick, seated hose, stood up and watched again... everything seemed to be going well, normal sounds... waiting... is it going to shut off I thought? hmmm... waiting... nope.... So tinkered with it for a little bit, decided to let the water run incase some air got caught in it... and... what? no water... Lesson learned:

Don't install your new Auto Shutoff Valve backwards. :)

that problem corrected, it shuts off now with a nice satisfying THUMP! :)

OH, and some of you wanted a description of how I modified my barracuda:

Cold Water Out -> 10 inch sediment filter -> 10 inch carbon block -> First Stage of the 'cuda (move through 'cuda stages)

RO out -> UV Filter (From old unit) -> T (T splits to drinking water and DI water) Drinking water side then goes through a taste cartridge, and then to the typical RO spigot you see mounted on most sinks. The DI goes to a 50' long hose that can top off my trashcan outside when I need to make water, but is otherwise stored under the sink.

[Tim Marvin]

Ram, glad to hear they fixed you up and all is working right!

[Ram_Puppy]

Thanks tim, the system is awesome, and the customer service, as promised, can not be beat, I was really impressed.

[falcam7]

Ram,

Very glad to hear :D :D :D :D

You are going to be very happy with the unit :-D :-D :-D :-D


I love mine, can not do with out now. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)