Which RO/DI Booster Pump do You Use?

[drstratton]

I'm looking into buying a Booster Pump. I have an Aqua FX Barracuda RO/DI System - 100 GPD. We have a well and the pressure can very hugely. I was wondering what others use and if you have time how much it has helped in your water production? Thanks!

 

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure uses Aquatec pumps so you have a duplicate in you poll. The only other pump I might consider would be a Sureflo which is of the same quality as an Aquatec and way above the other imports.

 

[drstratton]

Spectrapure uses Aquatec pumps so you have a duplicate in you poll. The only other pump I might consider would be a Sureflo which is of the same quality as an Aquatec and way above the other imports.

Thank you! I just tried to remove it, but it won't allow me to. Is Aquatec made in the USA?

 

[TheEngineer]

I have an Aquatech 8800 and I'm on a well too. Works great for me.

 

[drstratton]

I have an Aquatech 8800 and I'm on a well too. Works great for me.

Good to know! My pressure is all over the place. Especially in the Summer when we are watering the lawn or tree lines!

 

[AZDesertRat]

US designed and manufactured since 1986.

The other thing and something every membrane manufacturer recommends is a water softener. Membranes love soft water and it will probably quadruple its life.

 

[drstratton]

US designed and manufactured since 1986.

The other thing and something every membrane manufacturer recommends is a water softener. Membranes love soft water and it will probably quadruple its life.

Awesome! I like to buy Made in the USA whenever I can! A water softener would be nice! Thanks!!!

 

[mfinn]

I picked up a used 8800 a few years ago and it really helps.

 

[drstratton]

Well so far that's 100% for the Aquatech 8800!

 

[TheEngineer]

You can find setups on eBay that include everything you need. This is the one that I bought. It has all of the pressure switches, solenoids and transformer that you need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquatec-CDP...377796?hash=item2ee13d2a84:g:H1EAAOxyu1BTkNsX

 

[drstratton]

You can find setups on eBay that include everything you need. This is the one that I bought. It has all of the pressure switches, solenoids and transformer that you need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquatec-CDP...377796?hash=item2ee13d2a84:g:H1EAAOxyu1BTkNsX

Thank you for the link. That is a great price for everything!

 

[drstratton]

You can find setups on eBay that include everything you need. This is the one that I bought. It has all of the pressure switches, solenoids and transformer that you need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquatec-CDP...377796?hash=item2ee13d2a84:g:H1EAAOxyu1BTkNsX

Thank you!!! Just placed my order and cast my vote!

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

You can find setups on eBay that include everything you need. This is the one that I bought. It has all of the pressure switches, solenoids and transformer that you need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquatec-CDP...377796?hash=item2ee13d2a84:g:H1EAAOxyu1BTkNsX

Careful here guys. The solenoid pictured is, well, and economy grade solenoid. We've sold these for years, but we don't recommend them in the application shown. They get very hot and life span in this application will likely not be near as long as if you used a better solenoid valve. Also - the text describes a brass body solenoid, but the pic shows a poly body.

The text is misleading. Aquatec recommends the 8800 for applications maxing out at 120 gpd. You can make it work well on up to 150 gpd if you work with a knowledgeable vendor. Not the right pump for use with a 200 gpd membrane.

The pressure gauge shown is a dry gauge. This is not recommended to measure the pump output pressure. The pump will beat a dry gauge to death before long - sometimes in less than 5 minutes.

Russ

 

[TheEngineer]

Thanks, Russ!

I definitely have the solenoid shown in the picture. That gauge that came with mine is liquid filled though. I'll keep an eye on the solenoid. My setup is only plugged in while I'm making water and I shut off the water supply too. Hopefully it helps. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

The solenoid will heat up only when powered - that is, when the solenoid is open and the system is running. It is a "normally closed" solenoid - so when the power to the solenoid is off, it is closed. No need to manually shut off the water supply - that's what the solenoid will do - at least until it fails. Carefully touch that blue part of the solenoid after it has been powered for a half hour and you'll see what I mean.

We have customers use those solenoids in other applications where they will only be powered for short periods of time. In your application, we have a solenoid with built in circuitry that allows it to run cool. You can put your hand on it after its been running for an hour and it is as cool as can be.

Russ

 

[drstratton]

The solenoid will heat up only when powered - that is, when the solenoid is open and the system is running. It is a "normally closed" solenoid - so when the power to the solenoid is off, it is closed. No need to manually shut off the water supply - that's what the solenoid will do - at least until it fails. Carefully touch that blue part of the solenoid after it has been powered for a half hour and you'll see what I mean.

We have customers use those solenoids in other applications where they will only be powered for short periods of time. In your application, we have a solenoid with built in circuitry that allows it to run cool. You can put your hand on it after its been running for an hour and it is as cool as can be.

Russ

Thank you for this information, I just wish I had known before I made my purchase. I shared it with my husband, if the gauge is not a liquid one, we will see about getting a different one also possibly a different solenoid. I also think that I will contact the store where we purchased it and see if they will make it right.

 

[TheEngineer]

The solenoid will heat up only when powered - that is, when the solenoid is open and the system is running. It is a "normally closed" solenoid - so when the power to the solenoid is off, it is closed. No need to manually shut off the water supply - that's what the solenoid will do - at least until it fails. Carefully touch that blue part of the solenoid after it has been powered for a half hour and you'll see what I mean.

We have customers use those solenoids in other applications where they will only be powered for short periods of time. In your application, we have a solenoid with built in circuitry that allows it to run cool. You can put your hand on it after its been running for an hour and it is as cool as can be.

Russ

I ran the system for about an hour yesterday and checked the temp of the solenoid. It was warmer than ambient, but not by much. The blue cap is metal, not plastic. Maybe this solenoid looks like a lesser quality one?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

The BODY of the solenoid is poly - the milky white part. Yes - the blue cap is metal. We sell this solenoid for very light duty/short run applications.

 

[drstratton]

My husband and I finished installing the Booster Pump last night! It has taken my water pressure from 40-50psi to 95. I am so impressed with this pump! Thank you for all of the help everyone!

Shut Off Float

 

[wangspeed]

Shurflo gold for me. I tried the standard Aquatec 8800, and it created some weird backpressure on the copper lines in the house. It made a hammering noise that would resonate throughout the entire townhouse. Hated it. Called Aquatec and they didn't help out. You could try moving the pump to pull through the sediment filter to help out with this. I know I'm not the only person that had this issue. Search around.