Another ro/di question

I just got an RO/DI system. It was $160. I got it up and running and my water pressure is only 30 psi. I am looking into getting a boost pump to bring the system up to its optimum performance, which requires 50 psi. The thing is, these little boost pumps cost from $99 - $120, and then you need a transformer that is another $25 or so...jeez...the little pump cost almost as much as the system... I emailed the company and they explained that the lower water pressure will cause DI resin to be used up faster. Anyone have experience with this? Will the extra expenditure be worth the savings in wear and cost of DI resin?

 

Airwaterice.com has the pump and transformer for $129.99. I have no experience with low water pressure, but I know that RO/DI's require normal city water pressure to operate properly. If your pressure is sub-par, I'd bite the bullet and do it.

The expenditures never end in this hobby.

 

Yeah, I know this... I started in April of this year and have sunk quite a bit so far...currently am working on setting up a bigger tank already...might just put this purchase on the back burner for now

 

yeah i keep telling my wife that this piece will be the last, lol. maybe someday that will be true. maybe not.

 

It might be cheaper to buy another canister so that you no longer have mixed bed resins. If the anion resins and cation resins are separate, you can recharge them multiple times.

You can always save up and still get a permeate pump later.

 

You can find used and new booster pumps on ebay for less than $50, some even with pressure switches too.
Good luck!

 

Stick with the Aquatec 8800 booster pump, its a much better pump and will last forever.
30 psi is not enough pressure to force water through the RO membrane so a pump is needed. 40 is the absolute bare minimum, 50 is OK and 60-80+ is optimal, I run mine at 90-100 and get much better RO rejection and DI life. It will make a huge difference.
If you have a TDS meter, and you should, test the tap water TDS and your RO only TDS before DI. At 30 psi you are probably less than 90% rejection rate or removal efficiency. This is significant because for every 2% you increase the RO rejection rate (efficiency) you DOUBLE your DI life. The booster will get you up in the 98% range and quadruple or more your DI life so much fewer changes and big cost savings that will soon offset the booster cost.

Just curious, are you on a domestic well system? If not 30 psi is somewhat unusual for household pressure. Is it a newer home? If so you may have a pressure regulator where the water enters your home which could be adjusted higher.

 

I am living in Japan. I am renting the house. It is city water. I believe the house was built in the 80s. Pressure seems to be pretty good for other uses. I don't know about a pressure regulator, I haven't looked yet.