No Matter What, TDS Meter reading 1 not 0

[MattR]

I have no idea why but my brs unit will not read 0. Always used to read 0 now decides to only read 1. Use 1x per week to make 10 gallons max. Flushed for 15 minutes. Has been running for an hour and still goes from 11 into 1 out. Also third chamber is pratically empty. For the life of me i cant unscrew it. Non of the media looks exhausted. Any ideas

 

[SteveEreef]

On your second picture, the DI resin looks used up. I would refill if you can get the canister off. Your TDS will be back to zero

 

[MattR]

On your second picture, the DI resin looks used up. I would refill if you can get the canister off. Your TDS will be back to zero

Thank you for that. After looking at it with the flash I would agree. Do you think the fact that the resin chamber is rarely full impacts that anyway?

 

[MattR]

*barely

 

[SteveEreef]

Yes. The resin should be packed down so through ways don’t form . BRS has a good video on replacing the color changing resins if you have not seen it and care to

 

[MattR]

Yes. The resin should be packed down so through ways don’t form . BRS has a good video on replacing the color changing resins if you have not seen it and care to

Thank you for your help, I will purchase the the new DI resin and everything.

4 Stage RO/DI Replacement Filter Kit

Works with all BRS 4 Stage RO/DI Systems This kit is designed to treat all primary water sources that are treated with chlorine and wells with low amounts of contaminants. This kit will work with all BRS 4 Stage RO/DI Systems and most other RO/DI units on the market today that use industry...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the right one for my unit right?

Also really stupid question but the Di resin block that comes with the unit is refillable right? I can take the color changing resin and replace the old one using the container that came with it?

 

[SteveEreef]

You could go with that one. Depending on your water I would personally go with the 4stage RO/DI value replacement filter kit it’s only $4 more and has one micron filters instead of five microns. Yes you can take the old canister out, dump the spent resins and pack the new color changing resin in.

 

[MattR]

You could go with that one. Depending on your water I would personally go with the 4stage RO/DI value replacement filter kit it’s only $4 more and has one micron filters instead of five microns. Yes you can take the old canister out, dump the spent resins and pack the new color changing resin in.

Ok Ill take your advice thank you very much for your help!

 

[JoshH]

Thank you for that. After looking at it with the flash I would agree. Do you think the fact that the resin chamber is rarely full impacts that anyway?

Yes. The resin should be packed down so through ways don’t form . BRS has a good video on replacing the color changing resins if you have not seen it and care to

If you are referring to barely full of water then no. The air within the canister will in no way effect the performance of the resin. If you are concerned you can losen the canister a touch while the unit is running and the air will be forced out. However this is absolutely no necessary.

 

[Jeepjeep_0]

Are you testing the water right out of the ROdI unit or in the container you make water in?

 

[rsumner]

Yes. The resin should be packed down so through ways don’t form . BRS has a good video on replacing the color changing resins if you have not seen it and care to

I agree with this comment. Channelling can occur if you don't pack the resin tightly and evenly as you fill the canister. I tap my on the countertop and pack it (using a DIY packer made of a disc to closely match opening of the canister attached to 1/2" PVC as a handle) every inch or so as I fill the resin. I recently had the same experience where my TDS was always at 1, so I warn you about this from experience.

 

[jda]

1 TDS is nothing to sweat about. I don't start to care until I am at 5, or so. It also could just be your meter... it is not like they are high precision pieces of equipment.

 

[rsumner]

1 TDS is nothing to sweat about. I don't start to care until I am at 5, or so. It also could just be your meter... it is not like they are high precision pieces of equipment.

This depends on what the TDS level is after the RO-stage and before DI-stage compared to after the DI-stage. Personally, I can usually get my TDS to 2ppm after the RO stage, so when I see a TDS of 1 existing the DI stage combined with color changing resin that looks as new as the day it was installed, I know something isn't right. The OP looks to have a dual-TDS meter, so I would definitely use those two figures as my indicator of DI efficiency.

@MattR, it wouldn't hurt for you to dump the DI resin on a paper plate (or something similar) to give it a good inspection. Unfortunately, pictures with a flash glare don't give us the best method of assessing if you have DI discoloration. If the resin looks good, then you would try repacking it and see if your problem goes away.

 

[rsumner]

it is not like they are high precision pieces of equipment.

But, valid point here @jda. The TDS meter he's using looks to be the stock one shipped with the BRS 4-stage unit which is made by HD Digital. The specifications on this equipment is +-2% accuracy with a 1ppm resolution. In theory, that variance in accuracy shouldn't cause false readings that exceed an entire ppm, but I don't know any reefers that calibrate their TDS meters either.