RODI unit not producing: need help diagnosing!

[FishDoji]

Hello. I recently acquired a used BRS 5 stage RODI unit. I replaced the sediment, carbon, and resin in the unit and fired it up. No product water is coming out of my blue line.

I have a booster pump that is pushing water to 90psi after the 2nd carbon filter. Is there a water block in the membrane? Should I start taking apart the canisters on top of the unit?

I have attached some pictures to assist with any advice! Thanks!

 

[FishDoji]

The unit is producing lots of waste water but the product water line from the bottom membrane isn’t producing anything

 

[Spare time]

I had this happen when my RO membrane was just barely too small and was not creating a perfectly tight seal. You could try a thicker membrane. This fixed my problem with my ro buddie where it was only producing waste water.

 

[r20crazy]

disconnect the line from the pre filters to the membranes and fire up. if water flows turn off and reconnect. disconnect line after membranes (before di unit) and fire up. if nothing membranes most likely clogged or were allowed to dry out, replace) reconnect. lastly check flow restrictor. also disconnect blue line just before the 'Y' to the membranes in your setup and fire up. if nothing replace the white box just before the 'y'.

 

[FishDoji]

Thank you for the response. Do you think I should just go ahead and bit the bullet and get 2 new membranes from BRS? is there any way to visually tell if a membrane needs to be replaced? Thanks!

 

[FishDoji]

disconnect the line from the pre filters to the membrane and fire up. if water flows turn off and reconnect. disconnect line after membrane (before di unit) and fire up. if nothing membranes most likely clogged or were allowed to dry out, replace) reconnect. lastly check flow restrictor

Okay thank you. I guess since it is used it is likely that the membranes were not taken care of or allowed to dry out. I am getting lots of waste water and the psi reading is from after the pre filters. So I guess the issue is in the membranes.

 

[KStatefan]

Once a membrane is wet it needs to remain wet

 

[ddrueckh]

Is the flush valve open? This would cause lots of waste water and barely any product water. It is the black valve behind the RO filters. The valve should be closet.

Looking at the third picture (top view), the flush valve is at the top of the picture. It is white with a black handle. It looks open to me.

 

[dank reefer]

did you check the flush valve if this unit has one and make sure that its not on?

 

[FishDoji]

Is the flush valve open? This would cause lots of waste water and barely any product water. It is the black valve behind the RO filters. The valve should be closet.

So the valve on the waste water line should be closed? How does waste water exit the system?

 

[KStatefan]

So the valve on the waste water line should be closed? How does waste water exit the system?

Thru the same line. It switches it from sending the waste thru an orifice to it being open.

 

[KStatefan]

I would also disconnect from your DI until you have verified it is working correct.

 

[ddrueckh]

It lets some waste water through but not all the water. It restricts it to a certain pressure.

 

[ddrueckh]

If you look at the instructions that came with the unit (common problems at the end), this will be one of the common issues. Leaving the waste valve open.

 

[FishDoji]

Thru the same line. It switches it from sending the waste thru an orifice to it being open.

Wow. I’m an idiot. System is now working perfectly and is making 0 water! This community is amazing. Very helpful.

I just went from very sad that my unit still wasnt working to being very pleased. Thank you all

 

[r20crazy]

awesome. I dont have a flush valve (helps keep the membranes clean) so missed that. congrats

 

[ddrueckh]

Glad it's working for you. Your tank is happy too

 

[Nanorock1970]

Try taking each line off, one at a time to see where the water is not coming out. Like do you have anything coming out of the black line or any of the blue lines before the membrane?
From BRS Do you have the flush valve closed?....LOL sorry late to the party, I had this open all day but didn't get to respond till now....Glad you got it working...

 

[Opus]

awesome. I dont have a flush valve (helps keep the membranes clean) so missed that. congrats

There is no evidence to support this on consumer units.