Does A RODI System I Can Use In The Shower Exist?

tablesalt · Dec 22, 2017

I am so confused about RODI systems... What I would like to have is a system I can use in the basement shower, where I can just remove my showerhead, add some adapters, plug it into a RODI system (with no power) dump the output into a 45 gallon trashcan on wheels (or bucket) and dump the wastewater down the shower drain. I don't have guests that often and could hook up the shower head when needed.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a (cheap) system that can do this?

Also, with RODI systems, how fast do they generally work? I don't want to babysit it all day and adding float valves seems like it is getting complicated.

TheEngineer · Dec 22, 2017

At first I thought you wanted to shower in the purest water possible

You can definitely do what you're asking. They make adapters for showers that allow you to connect a standard hose to them. You can go from a standard hose right to an adapter that has a 1/4" fitting for your RODI. You can get all of that from a home improvement store in the plumbing section.

MTBake · Dec 22, 2017

You would need an adapter that screws onto the shower head post with a 1/4" quick connect fitting on the other end. That would be easiest way to do it. Takes my 75 gpd system an hour and a half to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I set a timer on my phone if I fill something without a float valve.

MTBake · Dec 22, 2017

TheEngineer beat me to it, lol.

tablesalt · Dec 22, 2017

MTBake said:
You would need an adapter that screws onto the shower head post with a 1/4" quick connect fitting on the other end. That would be easiest way to do it. Takes my 75 gpd system an hour and a half to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I set a timer on my phone if I fill something without a float valve.

Could you point me toward some suitable options? I'm trying to find one that doesn't take electricity and am struggling.

ajhudson15 · Dec 22, 2017

We ran out waste line to the toilet so we used less water flushing it

kyleinpdx · Dec 22, 2017

tablesalt said:
Could you point me toward some suitable options? I'm trying to find one that doesn't take electricity and am struggling.

None of them will need electricity if you have high enough water pressure. Your standard 4-6 stage will work passively if your supply water pressure if high enough. The only time you'd need an electrical drop that I can think of would be to power a booster pump. Most all the TDS meters on the BRS/generic 10" housings are battery operated and even then you dont need to have one of these, they're a convenience not a necessity. Do you know your water pressure by chance?

Legal Reefer · Dec 22, 2017

Yep I second that...you can get quick connect fittings also and have it to where you can pop the shower head off and pop the RO/DI hose on in a matter of seconds. The same quick connects as you see on some garden hoses to switch to different type of nozzles.

TheEngineer · Dec 22, 2017

No power needed, assuming your water pressure is above 35 PSI.

MTBake · Dec 22, 2017

This would work, but its pricey imo;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F9KL0VI/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513973922&sr=8-1-fkmr1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=1/2+inch+nptf+to+1/4+npt

Edit: didn't realize that's a 10 pack. You only need one.

You should be able to find cheaper options. This was just a quick Amazon search and finding this kind of stuff on there can be tricky. Best bet would be to go to home depot or what ever your favorite home mprovement store is.

Buckeye Hydro · Dec 25, 2017

The threads on the showerhead stubout are IPS - they are PARALLEL threads, not tapered NPT threads. IPS threads are intended to seal at a gasket - and as such teflon tape serves no purpose. That brass adapter shown in the video above would not be my ideal solution.

Leland Foley · Dec 25, 2017

You need a brass 1/2" fip x 1/4" compression fitting. I wouldn't put a plastic connector on a shower arm, you'll likely have some pulling down on it from the weight of the system, and it could break off eventually. Granted it would be in a shower, so not much chance of flooding.lol You'll also want to buy a 1/4" plastic ferrule, and a 1/4" brass or plastic stiffener sleeve. Do not use the brass ferrule that will come in the 1/4 compression fitting. It will cut the plastic RO/DI feed line if you over tighten it. Lowes or Home Depot will have the fitting you need. You can turn it on by turning on the shower handle. The plus to this is you can mix a small amount of warm water into the feed water in the winter to get better performance from your RO/DI in the winter time when the ground water is colder, assuming you live in a colder climate. Just don't mix a lot of hot water, keep it 75-80 degrees maximum or you'll damage your RO membrane.

-Leland