[Mike55]

Hi, do any of you guys use this system?  If so could someone help me out with the following:

1.  After how many 1000 litres of water produced should the prefilters and membrane be changed?
2.  How do I flush the system and how often should this be done?
3.  What tds should I be getting from 300ppm in?  (I have been getting about 20ppm after ro, before DI)
4.  I'm producing around 150 litres an hour so should I be looking at getting a booster pump?
5.  The valve to the left of the membrane (I'm assuming that's the waste valve) - how open/ closed should this be?

Sorry for all the questions  : - I'm new to RO water production so want to make sure I start off correctly.

Any help with answering the questions really appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

[mikecam]

Mike have you purchased this system second hand ? I ask this because i know they provide a booklet,operating manual with their systems.

[Mike55]

Hi Mike.  Yes purchased this equipment second hand so not paperwork with it.  If anyone has a copy of the operating/ manual/ booklet they could send me would be great to hear from you.

[mikecam]

I'll have a go at some of them then Mike......

1. The pre filters should need changing every 2 to 3 months. The membrane should last a few years.
2. To flush the system you just leave the waste tap fully open and run water through the system. How often to flush it? some people flush for 15mins or so each day after use, others flush for half an hour once a week. I think the criteria is that regular flushing helps prolong the life of the membrane. Not sure i've ever seen it defined as a certain figure.
3. All depends upon your water pressure and temperature. Its hard to say what you "should get".
4. 150 litres an hour does seem on the slow side. If you where to get a booster pump it would also go some way to reducing your TDS.
5. How open or closed the waste valve is will be unique to your setup. Start off with it fully open so its flushing and slowly close it and start taking some TDS readings of your product water when your product to waste ratio is roughly a third. You can estimate this roughly by filling some empty pop bottles or buckets or something at the same time. Very slowly keep closing your waste valve until you hit your best TDS reading. In general it should not be producing more product than waste.

Hope that gives you a rough idea.

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

excellent answer mike m8

[Mike55]

Thanks for your advice Mike that's good stuff! 

A couple more quick questions following on from that:

Should I disconnect the resin vessel while the system is flushing or just leave the system connected up?

Also, do you need to 'test' the prefilters to check for efficiency before replacing (ie how do you know when they are spent)?  Is there a guide to say that they are good for 'x' amount of litres at 'y' tds?

Thanks,
Mike

[mikecam]

Thanks for your advice Mike that's good stuff! 

A couple more quick questions following on from that:

Should I disconnect the resin vessel while the system is flushing or just leave the system connected up?

Also, do you need to 'test' the prefilters to check for efficiency before replacing (ie how do you know when they are spent)?  Is there a guide to say that they are good for 'x' amount of litres at 'y' tds?

Thanks,
Mike

I'd probably disconnect it Mike and discard the product too whilst flushing.
The way to know when your pre filters need changing is to have a pressure gaugue on each one and when you see a disparity between the two then change them, but in my opinion you don't need them Two new filters, one carbon block and one sediment filter will set you back less than a tenner for the two, fit new ones, change them in two months time. See how they look and base your maintainance regime on how they look. I don't think there is a definitive guide Mike.

[Mike55]

Thanks very much for the help Mike, much appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

[Darranvps]

I bought a twin RO 1000 ltr system from them, No booklet and no sticker to say they made it

Also to be honest it is not as good as an home made system, that is until we modified it.

The main problem was the twin pumps running from one battery.
Whilst cleaning large buildings non stop, the battery supplied totally died out within 3 - 4 hrs, also the water ran out about this time.
Strange how the "manufacturers all claim 12 - 14 hrs working time, they forget to tell you the fact that you will have to start filling the system the minute you start working if you are going to use it all day, non stop.

Back to the pumps, I was very surprised to find that the system came with only one Battery for two pumps.
We bought two new leisure batteries, re wired them to the alternator and now we can work nine hours, more or less non stop (without leaving the engine running) and find after driving home and back to another site the next day they are both fully charged

We have also changed the pre filters for 20", and have added a DI resin tank incase of low water pressure on site, so we can top up the tank by bypassing the RO's - costly yes, but cheaper than having to come back the next day!

[Dave Willis]

I don't have a 4040 but on my system I change the prefilters every six months as per the sticker on the casings. Probably better to change them a little earlier on a 4040 due to the very high cost of a new membraine on these.

[Alex Allen]

changing the prefilters depends on the amount of water going through the filter and the tds
it can be every month or every year

[Mike55]

changing the prefilters depends on the amount of water going through the filter and the tds
it can be every month or every year

So is there a rule of thumb on this Alex?  Such as they need changing after 'x' amount of litres based on a tds of 'y'?

[mikecam]

changing the prefilters depends on the amount of water going through the filter and the tds
it can be every month or every year

So is there a rule of thumb on this Alex?  Such as they need changing after 'x' amount of litres based on a tds of 'y'?

Mike there is no rule of thumb. Look at what the two filters consist of.........

1) Carbon Block filter.....
   Very important as this removes the chlorine from the water, chlorine will kill your RO membrane.

2) Sediment filter...........
         like it says on the tin, removes or traps any sediment over a given size, usually 5 microns.

Now, to be able to define exactly when they need changing you would need to know the 'exact' chlorine and sediment content of your water, and the exact rate of water you use and contact the filter supplier for the advise. Remember, all filter manufacturer will be slightly different. If you change filers every two to three months based on a usage of 650 litres a day, five days a week you won't go far wrong.
 I only know this because of practical experience and what most system manufacturers advise you. I do not have any expert knowledge on it.

[Mike55]

Thanks Mike.

[Alex Allen]

you can use minkecam rule of thumb of 650l a day
until you work out your own usage
I change my 20" pre filters 1-2 a year