Anyone know anything about reverse osmosis systems?

I've been having some trouble with my RO system. I have this one by Whirlpool:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_129808-4335...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=Reverse+osmosis&facetInfo=

About a month into using it, during which it was working perfectly, the tank stopped filling. I checked all hoses, etc, and all was working fine. I replaced each filter individually, and the system immediately started working again after I changed the prefilter (first filter). This was pretty surprising, because they are supposed to last 6 months.

One month later, same thing, tank stops filling. I replaced the prefilter and it returned to normal. That was two days ago. This morning I have no water in the tank again. I'm at a loss as to what could be causing this. Surely something is up. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

I know we used to always have problems with ours at our restaurant, but I'm not sure what the problem was.

 

How long have you had it? take it back

 

Ive had it for 2.5 months. I threw the box away after the first few weeks since it was working...

 

Not sure, I have a Culligan system and it has been working fine for 12 years, I only have to change the filters every 2 years, I had them come out every year and change them, but they said they were in good shape go to every 3, now that I know how to do it I just order them online and change them. I would take it back, with no box and get another type of system. This one seems to not work well. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

Does it have a flush valve? Some allow you to flush the filters once in a while to make them last longer. Another rule of thumb is the prefilter needs changed twice as much as the normal filters, but I realize yours is much sooner.

Your PPM must be really high so you might need a bigger prefilter before the unit to help filter.

 

I've not had any issues with my other appliances, so I wouldn't think so.

This is one of those products where it says not to return it to the store, but rather to call a troubleshooting hotline. Of course that hotline is only open 8-5 Monday through Friday, when I'm kind of busy at work.

It's a completely enclosed filter unit so I don't think so.

We have some of the worst water in the US out here, so everyone has an RO. I don't know anyone else who has this issue though.

 

I just took the post filter off and put it in the prefilter position (same part number) and sure enough the tank fills now. For the next two days probably

 

Where I'm at, my subdivision is the end of the line and no line going back to keep the water circulating. Any krap in the water, come into one of the houses. There are times the water looks like rust I've been filtering the dogs water since it's so nasty. Maybe you just get the crap ends up in the line and clogs your filter.

 

Our water is always crystal clear. I have a water softener upstream of the RO and its been functioning perfectly.

Lol at the spelling of krap

 

All I know about reverse osmosis systems is that since I showed up everyone around here has gotten a lot smarter.

 

Check your incoming water for lots of contamination.
Maybe run 2 pre filters. Say one at 20 microns and the other at 5-10 before it hits the membranes.
Try and figure out how to flush it and do that overnight.
Also check all operating pressures and ensure they are within parameters.

 

so a couple of things COULD be wrong. one is that you have lost pressor in the tank,it should be about 2.5lbs or so. to check diconect all lines and drain tank and check. the other is that the blader in the tank is done. its a start. good luck.

 

re ^^^ This is correct.
My experience is with industrial RO systems, rather than home systems.

The Reverse Osmosis portion requires a considerable pressure differential to work properly. It sounds like there is too much pressure drop across the prefilter leaving not enough pressure for the RO to function. Also check the waste water drain from the RO unit, make sure it is of sufficient size and is not restricted in any way. If there is backpressure on the drain, (there shouldn't be any) this will reduce the operating range of the RO portion.

You option to verify is to have a pressure gauge on the supply, (or if you know your supply pressure) and a gauge after the pre-filter. You will want at least 50psi going into the RO unit. If the feed line from your supply to the pre-filter is lengthy and too small, you could have a large pressure drop there already.

Options are:
- ensure supply line is of sufficient diameter; and the little things like making sure there is a length of straight pipe prior to the pre-filter inlet rather than a 90 degree fitting right at the prefilter inlet. (straight run length should be 6x the diameter of the piping so 6x 1/2" = 3") a large amount of turbulence or restriction right before the filter can create a pressure drop.
- feed a supply line from the raw water line coming into the house before your home's pressure regulator (must be less than 100psi though) I'd recommend a plumber's advice there. I bet your home's pressure regulator is set at 50psi, so it won't take much pressure loss to drop the efficiency of the RO unit. In your case you have a softener in line, so maybe that's not an option.

- install a larger pre-filter, or multiple pre-filters in parallel.

The pressure gauge readings before and after filters will tell you what's going on.

 

I have water softener and RO. Bought it at same time from cullingan. Here in FL you almost have to have this setup water is extremely hard

 

how can I run two perfilters with the setup I have? It's just and out of the box 3 filter system.

The tank is good to go. As noted above I jut switched the post filter to the prefilter, and the tank was full within an hour.

Thanks, you seem very knowledgeable on the subject. I was thinking that the inlet pressure into the system was not a problem in this case, because the system worked fine for over a month of daily use.

There not much doubt in my mind that a clogging filter is the issue. When I switched the prefilter and post filter with each other, now I have a full tank of RO water, but zero flow out of it (due to clogged post filter). I can switch them back (good filter as post filter now), and I have lots of pressure out of the tank.

These things are costing me $25 every month and now every few days. What can I do? If I add two perfilters, won't this same problem afflict the first one?

 

Tank is definitely fine.

The instructions say that the RO should ONLY be used with presoftened water.