Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Topic: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation (Read 1108 times) previous topic - next topic

Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

October 28, 2017, 04:23:25 am

Moved our reverse osmosis water system from the S&B to the coach. Our coach has an angled galley floor plan which gives us a couple of nice spots for the RO equipment. Placed the 6 gal. storage tank to the left of the under-sink cabinet drawer, and the filter-membrane-UV light assembly on the outside wall aft of the subwoofer compartment. Also installed a 12v booster pump with a pressure switch. It's a small volume, high pressure, very quiet pump that helps push the water through the RO membrane without having the coach's main water pump on. When the storage tank is full the booster pump stops running (based on tank pressure). The system will make RO water without the booster pump by using just the coach water, but its production rate is decreased.

The RO waste water goes back into the fresh water tank. I'm not worried about building up concentrations of salts, minerals and other waste items in the fresh water tank since the vast majority of fresh water usage is shower-toilet-kitchen sink usage. This standard water usage pattern will have the effect of regularly refreshing the fresh water tank.

If for whatever reason we take on a load of non chlorinated water (water well, etc.), we can energize the UV light component which will kill bacteria in the drinking water.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #1 – October 28, 2017, 08:39:25 am

Tidy installation Mark! A few questions... What is the make and model number of the booster pump and pressure switch? Is the UV light assembly a 12 VDC or is it running off of the inverter? Finally, how is the brine plumbed back into the fresh tank? I put a Watts RO system in our coach when we first got it, but the installation instructions call for a gravity feed into the waste piping. It specifically calls out a slope of so many inches per foot. I don't think I could achieve that based on the route the line would have to take, so I was considering a pump and using the old ice maker line to plumb it back to the fresh tank, but wondering if there might be an easier way...
Thanks, Don

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #2 – October 28, 2017, 10:08:23 am

Don, I installed an RO system in our coach also. I put a "hump" in the fresh water tank over flow line and plumbed in the RO brine line so brine flows into the fresh water tank. Works well.

Roland

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #3 – October 28, 2017, 11:24:02 am

Don,
Maybe this link will help you out.
John M

Reverse Osmosis Booster Pump - Aquatec 6800 - 1/4" Connections

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #4 – October 28, 2017, 11:29:46 am

Mark,

Your system looks almost exactly like mine. Except I run the brine into my gray tank or if I'm in a park without sewer at the site I run the brine through a soaker hose underneath the coach so I don't fill up the tank. I run the RO water directly into the fresh water tank. Been running this setup for the last 5 years. Was lucky that the bay on the opposite side of the wet bay was just the right size to hold everything. Just took a "couple" of shark bites to glue it all together.

I too tried running the system off of city pressure but the RO units clogged and slowed to nothing in a month or two. I installed a pressure pump and RO filters now last a year. I have read that chlorinated water clogs the RO filters so use a 5 micron filter followed by 2 10 micron carbon filters.

I put a paddlewheel flow indicator on the output of the RO as an indicator to see when filters output is slowing. I've also put a RO filter flush kit on. It's just a bypass of the restricter on the brine side of the filter that is supposed to clean the filter. I turn it on for 5 or 10 minutes whenever I think the filters need it. You can pick up a flush kit on eBay or build your own. Not much to em'.

Mine is not near as clean as your setup. I've added plumbing and shutoffs as needed. i.e.: I can bypass the RO but still use the filters when I need to fill quickly. Can bypass everything and go directly into the fresh water tank if I trust the water or need to fill really quickly at a fill station. Someday I'll get in there and clean it all up. Probably right before I sell the coach.

I love that our water always taste the same. Clean, clear, pure water.

see ya
ken

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #5 – October 28, 2017, 11:51:58 am

This thread is a coincidence. We have crappy water here and Judy & I were talking about researching a RO type of system this morning. Looks like a plumbing nightmare. My problems are, "who makes the best" and "where am I going to put it?

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #6 – October 28, 2017, 12:00:08 pm

Mike,

You can start researching at the RV Water Filter Store. Super Deluxe RO: RV Water Filter Store

Or if you are adventurous you can build your own. The salt water aquarium guys use RO for their tanks. They have good prices.

Ro Filter - Bulk Reef Supply

see ya
ken

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #7 – October 28, 2017, 01:18:03 pm

Are your RO systems "whole house"? I'm wondering if I can get a portable RO unit as to hook into shore water to do the same function?

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #8 – October 28, 2017, 02:17:33 pm

Don -- The pump is indeed an Aquatec. However, most of these pumps I found online were 120vac models. I special ordered ours with a 12vdc motor. I also specified 3/8" connections. We prefer 3/8" connections from the storage tank to the spigot so delivery time is reduced. Production time with 1/4" and 3/8" tubing is approximately the same because the limiting factor is the membrane. Aquatec part number 8852-2J03-B544.

The pressure switch is an Aquatec PSW-340-00. 3/8" PTC connectors.

Pump $104.00 and switch $20.50 at Pure Water Products in Denton, TX. (940) 382-3814 ask for Kelly or katey@purewaterproducts.com, no shipping charge.

BTW, I did call the RV Water Filter Store but they were more expensive, a little arrogant and also said the pressure switch wouldn't work with a 12v pump because the current rating on the switch was expressed in terms of 120VAC! I was not impressed.

I called tech support at Aquatec and spoke with Mike. He was super helpful as is Kelly at Pure Water Products.

Regarding the waste water gravity feed concern, not an issue with our RO system. In the sticks and bricks the entire setup was in the basement. The fresh water supply, the RO delivery tube and the waste water were all routed to the kitchen on the floor above the RO unit and storage tank.

In the coach I plumbed the waste water line into the fresh water tank the most simple way possible: drilled a 1/4" hole in the wall of the tank about 3/8" from the top. The 1/4 tubing carrying the waste water had to be firmly pressed to go through the hole. Then I applied silicone at the junction of the tank and the tubing (just to hold it in place although I don't think it would have gone anywhere). My tank stops filling well below the entry point of the waste water tubing so I'm not concerned with a leak.

Although it goes without saying, I was careful to route the waste water line only through a heated basement compartment. I'm not sure what would happen if the waste water line were to freeze, but I suspect it would temporarily shut down RO water production.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #9 – October 28, 2017, 02:19:52 pm

Ken,

Your setup looks and sounds much more versatile than ours. Are you saying that your entire fresh water supply -- drinking, showers, toilet, etc. -- is RO water? I like the paddlewheel!

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #10 – October 28, 2017, 02:23:08 pm

Quote from: mike leary – October 28, 2017, 11:51:58 am

This thread is a coincidence. We have crappy water here and Judy & I were talking about researching a RO type of system this morning. Looks like a plumbing nightmare. My problems are, "who makes the best" and "where am I going to put it?

We purchased our from the manufacturer, Apec Water Systems. Can't say if it's the best or not but I've owned a number of them over the decades and this is the best yet. We had this one in our home in SoCal, then in GA and now in the coach. Their customer service is excellent.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #11 – October 28, 2017, 06:59:15 pm

Mark, your unit looks very much like ours. Years ago we had installed the same type of RV reverse osmosis system like yours for the whole house. After the water comes through the three filters, we boost the pressure of the water into the reverse osmosis units. The final product is piped into the fresh water tank. On the fresh water tank, there is a sensor that when the tank drops below 3/4 full, it turns on the water making system. This way, we always have about 75 gallons of prime water for use in the shower grey for drinking. The waste is a line gated so it either drops into the grey water waste tank or just before the gates in the discharge. This allows me to leave all tanks closed when there is no hookups and run a small garden hose connect to the sewer outlet to allow the mineralized discharge hose to drain to the ground. Sound investment on the equipment aboard and our health.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #12 – October 31, 2017, 12:57:58 am

Quote from: Mark Duckworth – October 28, 2017, 02:19:52 pm

Your setup looks and sounds much more versatile than ours. Are you saying that your entire fresh water supply -- drinking, showers, toilet, etc. -- is RO water? I like the paddlewheel!

Yep! That's what I'm saying...

see ya
ken

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #13 – October 31, 2017, 01:51:35 am

Maybe not good.

Reverse Osmosis Water Exposed - What They Don't Tell You — AquaLiv Water

Had a heart surgeon lecturer customer mention the need for the trace minerals in 1986. Dr Peter Pool.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #14 – October 31, 2017, 04:38:30 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – October 31, 2017, 01:51:35 am

Maybe not good.

Reverse Osmosis Water Exposed - What They Don't Tell You — AquaLiv Water

Had a heart surgeon lecturer customer mention the need for the trace minerals in 1986. Dr Peter Pool.

True, but the other side of the coin is the impact of chlorine, chloramines, fluorine on our health. Another growing problem is pharmaceuticals in the public water supply. Millions of prescription medications are flushed down the toilet and these now appear in measurable quantities in some public water supplies. Finally, due to the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides, these compounds impact drinking water quality.

Just my opinion but I'd rather start with pure, RO pure water and add the trace minerals back into my dietary intake.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #15 – October 31, 2017, 09:07:01 am

"The AquaLiv Water System was designed specifically to improve health. It removes a broad range of contaminants while preserving the beneficial minerals."

Sounds like an ad for Aqualiv Water Systems" to me. But then I admit to being a skeptic.

Roland

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #16 – October 31, 2017, 01:31:56 pm

Like Ken, we use the RO system for the whole house. I fit the entire system in an 18 gallon Rubbermaid tub and set it just aft of the utility bay door. Pretty easy and any leaks will most likely be outside.
Dick

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #17 – October 31, 2017, 02:49:57 pm

RO water is extremely aggressive on the plumbing systems. Pressure pumps need stainless parts inside to have a long life

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #18 – October 31, 2017, 04:45:57 pm

Quote from: Mark Duckworth – October 31, 2017, 04:38:30 am

Probably true, but the other side of the coin is the impact of chlorine, chloramines, fluorine on our health. Another growing problem is the fact that there are millions of prescription medications dumped down the toilet everyday. These now appear in measurable quantities in some public water supplies. Finally, the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides is also resulting in those compounds impacting drinking water quality.
Just my opinion, but I'd rather start with pure, RO pure water and add the trace minerals back into my dietary intake.

Right on Mark! We are on a well but still use an RO system. It's been working since 1992. Hot water in a shower with chlorine may not be the best. I like ozone to treat city water like Europe does. Ozone (O3) combines with H2O just a few feet away from the injection point so not a heath hazard plus no taste.

Pierce

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #19 – October 31, 2017, 05:22:16 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – October 31, 2017, 02:49:57 pm

RO water is extremely aggressive on the plumbing systems. Pressure pumps need stainless parts inside to have a long life

It's only been 5 years for me but have not seen any evidence of this yet.

see ya
ken

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #20 – October 31, 2017, 06:12:02 pm

You have to be connected to shore water as RO systems waste 1 to 3 gallons for every one gallon of RO water produced. Our system was rated at 14 gallons per day. 1990 technology probably means 60 gallons wasted into the septic tank for the 14 gallons.

Pierce

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #21 – October 31, 2017, 08:24:39 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – October 31, 2017, 06:12:02 pm

You have to be connected to shore water as RO systems waste 1 to 3 gallons for every one gallon of RO water produced. Our system was rated at 14 gallons per day. 1990 technology probably means 60 gallons wasted into the septic tank for the 14 gallons.

Pierce

Evening, Pierce. Unlike some we are only using RO for water we drink and use for cooking and preparing food. Ours is a 90 gal / day system which is overkill but it's what we had in the S&B. We will be using ours whether on shore water or boon docking. Our waste water goes back into the fresh water tank (see original post) which, while unconventional, makes sense for us in this application.

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #22 – October 31, 2017, 10:29:07 pm

What Mark said. Been doing it for ten years.

Roland

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #23 – November 01, 2017, 12:53:36 am

Quote from: Mark Duckworth – October 31, 2017, 08:24:39 pm

Evening, Pierce. Unlike some we are only using RO for water we drink and use for cooking and preparing food. Ours is a 90 gal / day system which is overkill but it's what we had in the S&B. We will be using ours whether on shore water or boon docking. Our waste water goes back into the fresh water tank (see original post) which, while unconventional, makes sense for us in this application.

Great idea. Wish it had been mine.

How long do you have to run a pump and what kind of pump? Same RV pump? If not, current draw?

Pierce

Re: Reverse Osmosis Water Installation

Reply #24 – November 01, 2017, 06:34:34 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – November 01, 2017, 12:53:36 am

Great idea. Wish it had been mine. How long do you have to run a pump and what kind of pump? Same RV pump? If not, current draw?

Pierce

Pierce,

Aquatec part number 8852-2J03-B544. I'm not sure of the the current draw. I'll get my amp meter and measure it once it stops raining! The pump is very low noise -- I cannot hear it running. I've attached the generic spec sheet and there are some more details in reply #8 above.

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