Output question

[d_icemand]

I have the SpectraPure 60 gpd RO/DI unit. I just changed all the filters including the membrane. I turned the unit on and the pressure gauge is reading only 10psi on the membrane. And the yellow waste line is pumping out water as fast as its going into the unit. I have not messed with the restrictor, I did take it out and check it out. I could blow air through it. Put it back in, and turned the unit back on. Little to no "good/clean" water and a lot of waste water. I had a backup restrictor and tried it with the same result.

What should I do?

[SpectraPure]

Push the membrane in a little bit further firmly into the "cup" you can see at the inside far end of the housing.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[d_icemand]

i opened it up and made sure the membrane was seated inside that housing. Put it all back together and turned it on. I will let it run some more but right now it looks the same. Before I posted, I had let it run for over 3 hours.

[SpectraPure]

Did you disconnect the blue and yellow tubes from the end of the housing? Sometimes, people put them back, reversed.

Looking at the end of the housing, the longer bump is the good water and the shorter bump is the waste water.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[d_icemand]

I checked the hoses. The longer bump has a blue hose hooked to it and it goes into the last filter (the color-indicating DI cartridge), and then out of there, and that's my "clean" water. Is that right? The yellow hose with the restrictor is hooked into the smaller bump.

The pressure guage is still reading about 10 psi. I know the output is supposed to be 4:1 ratio. Whats the easiest way and timeframe to check that?

[SpectraPure]

Measure each into a measuring cup (milliliters) for one minute.

Now you know the flow rate of each, in ml/min. The waste should be 4x the product.

Remove, first the sediment and then the carbon, and see if the pressure comes back for some strange reason. Are there any other pre-filters or water processing equipment in your house?

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[d_icemand]

OK, so I measured both with a time span of 1 minute. First the aftermarket Flow restrictor---15-20 ml of good and 175 ml of bad. Then I replaced the original flow restrictor (it has orange paint on it and I have never cut it) back in and the results are 25 ml of good to 160 bad. So i guess thats a little over the 6:1 ratio. I think that I used to see the pressure gauge up more and in a previous thread, I asked the question what to do when it drops, and a SpectraPure rep. said it was time to change filters/membrane. But now my pressure gauge still shows 10psi and thats what made me worry.

Should I order a new Flow Restrictor?

oh yeah, the ROOM tempature was measure at 74 degrees F and there were no other water sources being used at the time.

[SpectraPure]

I hope you didn't misunderstand us -- low pressure on the gauge points to plugged pre-filters, but not membranes.

It's a little confusing because at 60 psi, the FR should be passing about 160 ml/min. If you really only have 10 psi, it should not be making that much waste water.

BUT, if you really have 10 psi, I would expect to see the 25 ml of good water you mentioned.

I am still not sure what your real house pressure is. Please remove the two prefilters (second request) and report the pressure gauge reading.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[SpectraPure]

One more thing. Do you have a piercing needle valve at the cold water pipe?

It can get corroded and all but stop the flow of water.

IF you must use a piercing valve, go to the hardware store and get a new one (and a spare).

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[d_icemand]

Ok Scott, I disassembled the piercing valve and must of loosened up some blockage. It was only 6 months old, so in my mind, that couldn't of been it. I now have 42psi back on the gauge and my output of good water seems to be back to normal. Is this good or should I continue to "tweak" the system for more output? I never did remove the prefilters, that was the next step unless you think its ok.

Thank you so much for walking me through some troubleshooting steps. I know it must be frustrating and nerve wracking to do this on the net. I truely appreciate all the help.

thanks

dave

[SpectraPure]

I would get something besides a piercing valve. Yes, they are easy to install, but if that one only lasted 6 months, you can expect the same problem in another 6 months or LESS. Some kinds of tap water are more likely to cause problems with them and you never know until it's too late. Cut the copper pipe and sweat in a tee with a real valve for a lasting solution.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[d_icemand]

Since you have been helping me out, one last question. Is the last chamber with the mixed bed Deionization cartridge supposed to be full of water? I've never understood why it only has a couple inches of water on the bottom? Just curious.

[SpectraPure]

It siphons out, due to the way you just happen to have the tubing set up. It doesn't matter, the resin will always stay moist in any case.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.