RODI Pressure gauge

[musclebenz]

Good Morning: I have the following question. I have the BRS six stage RODI unit and noticed my water pressure was only 20 PSI. When looking at the pic I took I see water in the gauge. Is there suppose to be water in the actual display unit? I would assume not, but wanted to check with the group.

 

[Coral reefer]

It’s glycerin I think. Comes that way. Normal.

 

[Srt4eric]

The liquid in the gauge makes them more accurate.

 

[H2OPlayar]

The liquid in the gauge makes them more accurate.

The glycerin helps to reduce vibrations which extends the life of the gauge. When I asked BRS about their gauges, they only warranty them for 1 year, so having a cheap backup is good to have around the house. I got my backups from McMaster, but I think Home Depot sells them.

 

[Flagg37]

So where are you reading the pressure from that it’s 20 psi?

 

[musclebenz]

So where are you reading the pressure from that it’s 20 psi?

after the last carbon filter and before the membranes

 

[Flagg37]

after the last carbon filter and before the membranes

That's really low to be feeing into your membranes. Are the prefilters clogged or do you have low pressure to begin with? Are you able to measure what it is before it goes through anything?

 

[musclebenz]

Yes, I just saw that it was low after hearing what the pressure should be. All filters have been changed. I am going figure a way to test the pressure before it reaches the unit, to determine if I have low pressure at home, which I don't I think I do. I am planning on installing the Smart Buddie after I get back from vacation but will test the water pressure first.

 

[Wild Bob]

Home Depot sells a water pressure test gauge that screws into a hose bib, (if you have a hose bib) . That will tell you what you are getting into the house. I think mine cost less than $10; you're free to borrow if its worth the trip to Daly City.
I was getting 50 psi at the backyard mixing station 15 years ago, recently it's down to 40. I am assuming you are hard plumbed into the supply. If you are using a faucet adapter, you probably have one of them new - fangled flow restricted faucets in the way.

 

[musclebenz]

Home Depot sells a water pressure test gauge that screws into a hose bib, (if you have a hose bib) . That will tell you what you are getting into the house. I think mine cost less than $10; you're free to borrow if its worth the trip to Daly City.
I was getting 50 psi at the backyard mixing station 15 years ago, recently it's down to 40. I am assuming you are hard plumbed into the supply. If you are using a faucet adapter, you probably have one of them new - fangled flow restricted faucets in the way.

Thanks Bob that is so kind. I actually just ordered one from Amazon yesterday. I have it hooked up to my outside faucet.. I wasn't aware they had flow restriction devices on these units but I will check.

 

[musclebenz]

Okay my water pressure is good coming in the from the main line. Now I will trouble shoot at the RODI unit

 

[Coral reefer]

That’s more “ok” territory for rodi pressure. 80 ideal. Might look into a booster pump if you want to run it that high.

 

[Srt4eric]

That’s more “ok” territory for rodi pressure. 80 ideal

At 80psi in a house you can start to damage plumbing and fixtures.

 

[Coral reefer]

At 80psi in a house you can start to damage plumbing and fixtures.

That’s a good point. Mine is way high in the new house. Might need to put a limiting valve in

 

[Turkeysammich]

Dunno if you know or not so I’ll just say. There should be a pressure regulator where the water comes into the house next to the house shut off. It should look like a bell with a nut and bolt on the top. You can loosen the nut and tighten or loosen the bolt to raise and lower the water pressure.

 

[Srt4eric]

Dunno if you know or not so I’ll just say. There should be a pressure regulator where the water comes into the house next to the house shut off. It should look like a bell with a nut and bolt on the top. You can loosen the nut and tighten or loosen the bolt to raise and lower the water pressure.

Lots of houses don't have regulators.

 

[Coral reefer]

Dunno if you know or not so I’ll just say. There should be a pressure regulator where the water comes into the house next to the house shut off. It should look like a bell with a nut and bolt on the top. You can loosen the nut and tighten or loosen the bolt to raise and lower the water pressure.

I don’t think I have one

 

[Turkeysammich]

Oh. All the houses that I lived in had one. But then I’ve never lived in a new house.

 

[Wild Bob]

Since you have enviable pressure coming into the house, I'll revisit the faucet issue. If your house was built after 1995, or if the faucet was replaced after that date, you have a flow restrictor built into the fixture. The stated mandated max GPM keeps decreasing; California has the slowest permissible trickle in the country. So, if you are using the faucet adapter, you have two choices - remove the flow restrictor and risk the water police making a midnight drop from their black helicopters, or tap into the under sink supply line.