Need RODI help!

hollow6210 · Dec 18, 2022

Need some help/advice. Was hooking up BRS 4-stage RODI today to plumber installed valve. Used the brass ferrule that came with valve. Didn't feel like I tightened it too much but water was squirting out past the compression nut. Turned it off and tightened a little more but no good--still leaking. Not sure if you can tell from the pic but the ferrule is little off angle axially with regard to the tubing. Plumber recommended tubing stiffener but couldn't find anything at HD or Lowe's. Found something on McMaster Carr, but I'd have to order of course which would delay getting tank up. Anyone else hook up their RODI similarly?

A_Blind_Reefer · Dec 18, 2022

Have you tried a new ferrule and making sure it’s on straight? That would be my first thought, most valves come with a spare. Hd and lowes do have what your plumber was talking about but I think I’ve only seen them in a kit for ice makers that comes with that opaque nylon hose. It’s just a little brass thingamajig that slides inside the tubing.

Marten · Dec 18, 2022

Are the tapers on the compression sleeve the same on both sides? Have you tried to install the compression sleeve the other way around?

hollow6210 · Dec 18, 2022

Tried buying a john guest to make it easy to connect but 1/4" john guest is too large for that valve. Have to get a new ferrule.
@Marten, no the tapers are not the same on both sides. @A_Blind_Reefer the valve didn't come with spare.

HD was very helpful, but they assumed it was PEX and not polyethylene tubing that comes with the RODI. Guess I'm going back to HD again.

hollow6210 · Dec 18, 2022

What a pain--went to HD and determined that I must have overtightened the compression nut. Bought a 3 pack of replacements. Tried the first one, following the package directions--hand tight then 1/4 turn. Still squirting leaking. Next attempt I did hand tight only. Not squirting, so that was a win, but steady dripping 1-2 per sec. From there I tightened the compression nut a little at a time until dripping stopped. Dried it off and had to tighten just a bit more to have zero drips. 3 trips to HD today, but I'm making water!

A_Blind_Reefer · Dec 18, 2022

hollow6210 said:
What a pain--went to HD and determined that I must have overtightened the compression nut. Bought a 3 pack of replacements. Tried the first one, following the package directions--hand tight then 1/4 turn. Still squirting leaking. Next attempt I did hand tight only. Not squirting, so that was a win, but steady dripping 1-2 per sec. From there I tightened the compression nut a little at a time until dripping stopped. Dried it off and had to tighten just a bit more to have zero drips. 3 trips to HD today, but I'm making water!

Ha! Pretty much sums up life in reefing! Glad you got it straightened out.

ifreefingwasaperson · Dec 18, 2022

hollow6210 said:
Need some help/advice. Was hooking up BRS 4-stage RODI today to plumber installed valve. Used the brass ferrule that came with valve. Didn't feel like I tightened it too much but water was squirting out past the compression nut. Turned it off and tightened a little more but no good--still leaking. Not sure if you can tell from the pic but the ferrule is little off angle axially with regard to the tubing. Plumber recommended tubing stiffener but couldn't find anything at HD or Lowe's. Found something on McMaster Carr, but I'd have to order of course which would delay getting tank up. Anyone else hook up their RODI similarly?

When you use compression fittings with the tubing you also need compression inserts. They stop the tube from being crushed so it can be tightened.

anthonygf · Dec 18, 2022

ifreefingwasaperson said:
When you use compression fittings with the tubing you also need compression inserts. They stop the tube from being crushed so it can be tightened.

I was waiting for this lol, very important.

hollow6210 · Dec 18, 2022

That's what I was looking for!!! I couldn't find it online and must have missed it in the store. I've tightened the compression nut as far as I'm comfortable--it has a really slow leak. Like a drop every few minutes. Next trip I'll look for those. Online it says they're brass--is that an issue?

hollow6210 · Dec 19, 2022

Another unrelated question. Been making water all day. 3 TDS in, 0 TDS out. My question is about the DI resin stage. All the stages except the DI resin stage are full of water. The DI stage is only about 1/3 full. Is that normal?

ifreefingwasaperson · Dec 19, 2022

hollow6210 said:
Another unrelated question. Been making water all day. 3 TDS in, 0 TDS out. My question is about the DI resin stage. All the stages except the DI resin stage are full of water. The DI stage is only about 1/3 full. Is that normal?

Normal

ifreefingwasaperson · Dec 19, 2022

hollow6210 said:
That's what I was looking for!!! I couldn't find it online and must have missed it in the store. I've tightened the compression nut as far as I'm comfortable--it has a really slow leak. Like a drop every few minutes. Next trip I'll look for those. Online it says they're brass--is that an issue?

It’s fine as long as it’s regular tap water not saltwater

Buckster · Dec 19, 2022

Yes the TDS is normal. I have the 7 stage which generally is 1-2 on the first stage then I get 0 for the second and third stages.

A_Blind_Reefer · Dec 19, 2022

hollow6210 said:
Another unrelated question. Been making water all day. 3 TDS in, 0 TDS out. My question is about the DI resin stage. All the stages except the DI resin stage are full of water. The DI stage is only about 1/3 full. Is that normal?

It’s normal but you could crack open the canister a turn and bleed the air out if so inclined. I’m ocd adhd so I do that as it just irks me.