Maxxima RO Problems

[ShooterRick]

In preparation for the actual build of my 72 bow front, I decided to set up the RO system today. It is a Maxxima HiS 35 or 66. From any labeling on the unit I am not sure which one. I am getting 0 flow. The cartridge filters are filling and at first the waste water line would flow with the bypass valve opened up. After some reading I think I should assume that the RO membrane has dried out and is shot but would that prevent any flow at all? Tommorrow I plan on a complete disassemble to try and clean and find the problem. Can anyone point me in the correct direction to tell which unit this actually is so if needed I can replace cartridges? Can anyone shed some light on the no flow situation? Any suggestions or knowledge appreciated.

[Reefing Madness]

You turned off the bypass valve at the y-split after the RO Membrane, right where it splits off for the reject water? That valve should be wide open. Does the water flow with that opened up?

[ShooterRick]

You turned off the bypass valve at the y-split after the RO Membrane, right where it splits off for the reject water? That valve should be wide open. Does the water flow with that opened up?

No it will not flow in any position. At first it would only flow for about 30 seconds when the bypass was closed but soon stopped. When I say flow with the bypass closed I mean only on the waste line. I tried it both ways and no flow at all now.

[Reefing Madness]

And how old is the system you have? How old has it been sitting? You may want to try a back flush on it first, that may free up some junk built up.

[ShooterRick]

Fresh eyes fresh brain and simple fix. I had decided last night to tear the unit down and go through it piece by piece. This morning I rethought that plan and first disconnected the product line from the float valve in the 30 gal trash can and hooked the unit back to the water supply. Eureka! The unit flowed like a champ and after inspection the float valve was clogged with some kind of sediment. I cleaned the valve and it is making RO like a champ assuming the RO membrane is intact. The valve functions properly after simple testing. I am timing 6 hrs now so I can get an idea of the production rate and thus know what of the two sizes this model is. It is set up on my back patio as down in the deep south hard freezes are rare. If a freeze is forcast I will disconnect and move the working parts inside.

[ShooterRick]

[Reefing Madness]

[ShooterRick]

This is the pdf file shortcut. http://c3.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/KM1491.pdf From the capacity of water production I believe it is the HiS35 system.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Hi Rick - a few comments on your situation.

1. If you can use your TDS meter to get a reading of your 1) tap water, 2) RO water, and 3) DI water we'll have a much better idea if your RO membrane and DI resin are doing what they should.

2. Those Kent systems come without a pressure gauge. We always tell customers that a pressure gauge and a TDS meter are just about required to run these systems. If you are going to do any type of troubleshooting/diagnose any problems/know how the system is running, you'll need these two items. Neither is expensive.

3. We discourage placing the systems outdoors. You touched on one reason why - freezing temperatures will damage many of the components in the system. In your situations sounds like that is not an issue. The second reason, and this one really jumps out at me from your pics, is that exposing the system to bright light will 1)degrade the plastic on the system including the housings, and will 2) encourage algae (etc) growth inside the housings and then the remainder of the system.

4. If you'll unscrew the lid to the RO membrane housing and tell me what you see on the sticker on the blue part of the membrane we'll know the gpd capacity of the membrane. As it stands now, you might have a 75 gpd membrane that's only producing half of what it should.

5. Your system takes "standard-sized" filters in each stage. You'll want to know this for when you go to buy replacements.

6. Would be a good idea to measure the ratio of waste water to purified water. You want something about a 4:1. A higher ratio (more waste water) means you are needlessly wasting water. A lower ratio mean s you are likely shortening the life span of your membrane. To figure out your ratio, line up about 8 identical cups in front of the system. With your waste water tube in one hand, and your purified water tube in the other, how many glasses of waste water do you fill up in the time it takes to fill one glass with purified water?

If you have questions or need help troubleshooting, feel free to give us a call/email. We're available pretty much all day every day.

Russ

[ShooterRick]

Hi Rick - a few comments on your situation.

1. If you can use your TDS meter to get a reading of your 1) tap water, 2) RO water, and 3) DI water we'll have a much better idea if your RO membrane and DI resin are doing what they should.

2. Those Kent systems come without a pressure gauge. We always tell customers that a pressure gauge and a TDS meter are just about required to run these systems. If you are going to do any type of troubleshooting/diagnose any problems/know how the system is running, you'll need these two items. Neither is expensive.

3. We discourage placing the systems outdoors. You touched on one reason why - freezing temperatures will damage many of the components in the system. In your situations sounds like that is not an issue. The second reason, and this one really jumps out at me from your pics, is that exposing the system to bright light will 1)degrade the plastic on the system including the housings, and will 2) encourage algae (etc) growth inside the housings and then the remainder of the system.

4. If you'll unscrew the lid to the RO membrane housing and tell me what you see on the sticker on the blue part of the membrane we'll know the gpd capacity of the membrane. As it stands now, you might have a 75 gpd membrane that's only producing half of what it should.

5. Your system takes "standard-sized" filters in each stage. You'll want to know this for when you go to buy replacements.

6. Would be a good idea to measure the ratio of waste water to purified water. You want something about a 4:1. A higher ratio (more waste water) means you are needlessly wasting water. A lower ratio mean s you are likely shortening the life span of your membrane. To figure out your ratio, line up about 8 identical cups in front of the system. With your waste water tube in one hand, and your purified water tube in the other, how many glasses of waste water do you fill up in the time it takes to fill one glass with purified water?

If you have questions or need help troubleshooting, feel free to give us a call/email. We're available pretty much all day every day.

Russ

I ordered a TDS meter tonight. Thanks for all the info. I have no area indoors for the set up but will take precausions as follows.
I will move unit to a heated storage if cold weather is forcast. Since I will have to set this up as RO is needed for water changes What if I cover the unit in black plastic under a carport to sheild the sunlight when using? When the tds meter arrives I will do a ratio test as suggested and test the tds situation.

Thanks again for the info.

[ShooterRick]

TDS meter arrived today pre calibrated by the company. Household water reads 114 ppm.. I ran about 15 gal through the ro unit days ago and saved in a 30 gal rubber trash can. That water reads 002 ppm. Does this sound like it is functioning correctly?

[Reefing Madness]

TDS meter arrived today pre calibrated by the company. Household water reads 114 ppm.. I ran about 15 gal through the ro unit days ago and saved in a 30 gal rubber trash can. That water reads 002 ppm. Does this sound like it is functioning correctly?

LOL, yup. But your TDS should read 000. Need another DI Canister.

[ShooterRick]

LOL, yup. But your TDS should read 000. Need another DI Canister.

Ok RM. Another DI on my Christmas list.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

TDS meter arrived today pre calibrated by the company. Household water reads 114 ppm.. I ran about 15 gal through the ro unit days ago and saved in a 30 gal rubber trash can. That water reads 002 ppm. Does this sound like it is functioning correctly?

Hmm. Just looked and I didn't see an order going to Louisanna. Must have missed it.

Need measurements in 3 (THREE) locations:
Tap: 114 ppm
RO: ???
DI: ???

To measure the TDS in your DI water use a clean glass container and take a sample from the DI output (straight out of the tube, not from a reservoir) after the system has been running for a few minutes.

Based on the information you've provided, looks like you DI is working well.

Russ

[ShooterRick]

Hmm. Just looked and I didn't see an order going to Louisanna. Must have missed it.

Need measurements in 3 (THREE) locations:
Tap: 114 ppm
RO: ???
DI: ???

To measure the TDS in your DI water use a clean glass container and take a sample from the DI output (straight out of the tube, not from a reservoir) after the system has been running for a few minutes.

Based on the information you've provided, looks like you DI is working well.

Russ

Nope didnt miss it. It was a used unit that came with a package of used I bought with 72 gal used bow front. By the way the product water is at 002 ppm. Not measured the DI yet alone. If I need one I will be sure to contact you since you have been so helpful.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

LOL, yup. But your TDS should read 000. Need another DI Canister.

My guess is you don't need another DI cartridge. Given that you measured 2 ppm TDS in an open storage container, the TDS coming right out of your DI cartridge is probably lower than that, and may be 0 ppm.

Before you start adding stages, I'd start by measuring the TDS of your 1) tap water, 2) RO water, and 3) DI water.

Russ

[ShooterRick]

My guess is you don't need another DI cartridge. Given that you measured 2 ppm TDS in an open storage container, the TDS coming right out of your DI cartridge is probably lower than that, and may be 0 ppm.

Before you start adding stages, I'd start by measuring the TDS of your 1) tap water, 2) RO water, and 3) DI water.

Russ

Got it. will do this week sometime. Crazy at work with the holidays coming up soon.