Well, I just finished hooking up my new RO/DI system and I'm stoked to have it plumbed and working. No thanks to any instructions that came with it... I swear that there was no manual. Luckily, NSA had all the parts required to finish installation. Why they don't just include that stuff (saddle valve, drain saddle) defeats me. Of course, they also had the shutoff float valve which is cool. I'm concerned about two things. First the saddle valve and second a missing TDS meter. Doing research online, there is a WHOLE lot written about leaking saddle valves and mass destruction. Any plumbers in our mix? Is it worth having a plumber come in and do it right? (what do you charge? ) Second, everywhere I see this model RO/DI unit it comes with a TDS meter. Mine doesn't have it. No big deal really... although it would be cool to see the numbers rise and when I actually need to change the filters. Anyone have words of wisdom? Should I go back to NSA and hit them up about it, order one from AquaFx or just forget it? Anyway, WOO no more weekly water expenses!
I have an inline TDS meter that gives readings before and after the filter by flicking a switch. Got it at Marine Depot.
if it was advertised to be with one then i would hit up who ever it was purchased from. if not then i would recommend getting one for sure. it is very handy to have. i have had mine going on my 75 gpd unit and after 7 months of using about 10 gls per day plus water changes i am still at 0 ppm tds. but my intake is only around 40 ppm. according to the filter guys thats pretty low so my filters should last a while. i am not a plumber but i can sweat pipes if you want it hard lined in. thats up to you. i actually used the saddle valve since mines hooked into the garage.
I have no idea if mine was supposed to come with a tds meter. I was just looking around for information on this model and every one of them had this TDS meter. I'm guessing NSA ordered them without it for a better margin. I'm going to ask next time I'm there anyway. I'm still nervous about that saddle valve.
I found that Melev's Reef had very detailed instructions on the installation of his RO/DI unit. http://www.melevsreef.com/rodi_install.html With this much detail I might hazard purchasing a RO/DI unit, but right now my [STRIKE]first[/STRIKE] second priority is freeing the wires by burrowing through the wall. First is grounding the lights before I'm electrocuted.
I have the same unit, and mine does not have a inline tds meter. I got mine used though several years ago. The person I bought it from did give me a hand held tds meter. I use it very rarely to check it. You just reminded me that I should check it though thanks. Just be sure not to run hot water through it as it will ruin your RO membrane. I hook mine up directly to a faucet, I was thinking about "T" in some how though. They should make an adapter for this probably sold for icemakers. The line coming out of your wall to your faucet is about that size, break loose the line by the valve and install a correct fitting. Then put your faucet line back on the top. I will look to see if I can find a valve like that real fast.
Something like this, but like a "T" with two ballcock (ooh, sounds so dirty) ends, and a John Guest fitting end. http://www.johnguest.com/part_spec.asp?s=USPEIBTC_S2
Better yet? http://www.pwgazette.com/img/iv103.jpg http://www.pwgazette.com/roparts.htm#inlinevalve I like this one the best, and will probably go to Lowe's or HD to look for a fitting this week. I cannot get my smilies to work
I am going for a record number of post with no replies here. I would recommend a flow restrictor from these guys. Scroll down on the page link below and look at them, they work alot better than the little plastic one you put inside of the tubing. IMO The filter guys have great service and pricing also. http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_membranes.htm
heh.. I went to NSA today and they sell the TDS meter separate. They said that all the stuff they sell changes color to tell you when to change it. I figure this is a good solution. It's just a cool thing I would only check monthly. I also had to buy a couple other parts. You can turn a saddle valve off but, adjusting it makes me kringe and I think it's just going to start leaking again. Plus, it's really hard to reach.
Saddle valves are used for many different applications. They rarely leak if installed properly. Mine hasn't dripped once.
