mics_54

Does anyone know if a GE RO filter is supposed to drain waste water continuously???? Or is the holding tank not charged correctly?

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wookie

Automatic shut off valve not working. Some can be repaired most just replaced.

wookie

angus242

It's not the GE Merlin, is it? That's an entire different beast. You said holding tank so I assume not.

A typical RO system dumps quite a bit of "bad" water so while it may look like it's continuous, it may not be. Not sure of the exact amount but I thought it's something like 8-11GAL of waste for every 1GAL of filtered water. So when you do the math, the waste discharge may run for quite a bit after filling something like a pitcher or coffee pot.

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mics_54

No it isn't a merlin...it has a storage tank.

Here is the issue.
The water system is in a recreational home here in Alaska used maybe a month per summer.
In the owners absense I shut off the well pump but leave the system presurized so the boiler has makeup water if needed.
I noticed my pressure tank was at zero two days in a row with no water being used. This had me scratching my head for a while because I couldnt tell where the water was going.
I snooped around and noticed the RO was draining into the p-trap when no water had been used. This would mean that the RO filter had drained about 30 gallons into the drain. The pressure tank is not a small one.
I havent been back to day to check but I had shut the supply to the RO off at the angle stop valve.
I just spoke to a tech plumber in anchorage he said the auto shutoff valve may be stuck. It's a new RO filter and the owner did the initial fill on it. I just installed the plumbing and componants and figured since he would be changing the filters that it would be good if he did the initial charge.

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angus242

I do know if you don't turn the main supply off to the RO, it will continue to discharge. I've made that mistake before. I turned off the valve to the tank but not the main supply and when I moved a frig, water was still coming out (water line for frig was hooked to RO system).

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mics_54

Yes the holding tank is pressurized so it can run water for a bit. It can't drain waste water if the supply is off once the pressure in the storage tank is 0

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wookie

Not uncommon for a new RO not to function properly out of the box. System check needs to be done. membrane tds, storage tank pressure , product water to waste water ratio and aso. Whats the make of the unit or where was it purchased?

wookie

mics_54

it's a GE from THD the HO did the initial fill so I will drain the tank and check the pressure. I just wasn't sure how much waste waster to expect. I have an install operation guide. I'm just glad thats where the water was going.

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wookie

Check storage tank pressure 8psi when empty, but that will not fix a bad aso, not positive on a ge unit but most likely a external aso-just replace it. What is the gpd rating? that will tell me what type of membrane it is.very general rule is @ 3gal waste to 1gal product water this can be greatly improved with add on equipment. I Installed a zero waste water RO 1.5 years ago, I was real skeptical about it but performing great.

wookie

mics_54

Thanks wookie...keep ya posted

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Gatell Plumbing

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