RO/DI addons

i got extra parts from a watts RO unit (from cosco) and it came with
auto shut off valve but no check valve

do i need a check valve if i have a auto shut off valve and float valve

and also got a extra membrane will this be in any good used?

these parts are 1 year old and been used

im currently using a aquamaxx RO/DI that didnt come with any of these extra stuff

i was looking at bulkreefsupply to order a dual line tds meter and a psi gauge is there any other suggestion i should consider for my stock RO/DI unit

 

It is best to have a check valve along with the ASOV, it will operate better that way. The extra membrane is probably not any good if its not been used in a year and to work well with what you have it should be the same GPD as the new one and you need at least 60 psi to run a dual membrane system.
The pressure gauge is a good investment but I would get a handheld TDS mewter over an inline, I have both and never use the inlines. They are not as accurate and you lose the portability, with the handheld you can test your tap, the LFS, your ATO container, grocery store water, vending machine etc.

 

If your Aquamaxx is new the membrane should be good for a couple years use,the tds meter will tell you when it needs replacing.It's best to install the meter so the "in" sensor reads the tds coming out of the membrane and the "out" sensor reads the tds coming out of the DI canister,the final product line.This way you can moniter both membrane and DI performance.I would question the quality of the used Costco units membrane.The tds meter and pressure guage may come with quick connects to install them,if not,you might want to order these also.

 

The dual inline TDS meters come with quick tees but get the handheld, you will like it better, trust me on that one. Plus its more accurate since the inlines measure air temperature and not water temperature which are rarely the same and can make a big difference in readings. My COM-100 handheld and inline never agree.

The Watts Premier units are built here in Phoenix and use Dow Filmtec membranes but again its used and probably not the same GPD as you have now. Plus if you are thinking about using it as a replacement later it will most definitely not be good by then.

 

I would consider getting one the auto flush kit as well. You will get more life out of your membrane by flushing it.

 

Actually flush kits have no proven value. If you keep your waste ratio at the recommended 3:1 or 4:1 you should have no problems with membrane performance or life. Flushing the initial TDS creep will increase your DI life though if you remember to do it each and every time it starts up.

 

That is good to know. Desertrat I just installed my new Spectrapure unit (wooo hooo). I destroyed the garage and tee'd it into the water supply. So now I have access to water inside my garage (kudos for me) Lol..... What I plan on doing is just leaving the water on, hooked up to my unit and put a valve on the discharge side closed when I am not making water. Is this not a good thing to do or should I shut my water supply off when I am not using it. Which means from your suggestion to rinse your unit everytime before use to increase the DI life. Could you please explain the waste ratio. I am totally confused when that is mentioned. I mean what waste am I producing if I have only one discharge side for final product after it has been filtered. ??????????????? thanks

 

If you want to shut it off on the discharge side you will need an autoshutoff valve(ASOV) installed. If you are going to go that route why not add a Rubbermaid Brute trashcan and a float valve so when the can is full it raises the float which shuts off the ASOV. You can buy just the ASOV and check valve or the complete kit with the float valve very reasonable lots of places.

Without the ASOV when you shut the treated water off the waste continues to flow. The ASOV has internal valves which shuts both off.

The waste ratio is the 4 gallons of water the unit wastes for every 1 gallon of treated water it produces. You have a yellow waste line, a blue treated line and a black line which is the tap water in. You will run the unit as recommended to flush it initially then floowing the directions in the manual measure the flow from both the blue treated line and the yellow waste line and calculate your waste ratio. If is close to 4:1 waste to good leave it as is, if its off then following the directions trim the capillary tube for an exact 4:1 ratio for best perfromance and membrane life.