DIY: RO Filter maintenance

Another Tool/Gadget to finger my D.I.Y. Itch,

Will be Using it to monitor RO Water and would skip the service contracts, cause spares are easily available now a days
and for those who know how it works, can easily save a couple of thousand a year.
Basic operation is, You can check TDS level twice a month, The least the reading is, purer the water is.
my current reading is 21 after 1 year of usage. I am not spending 4.5k on contract this time.
New Filters and membrane installed would give readings, near 0(Zero) while normal home usage of 1 yr. should not be more
than 15-25. and if you change the sediment filter in 6 months, your membrane would last twice its normal life of 1 yr as suggested by companies, but all that counts is the TDS Count, So watch and act.
new filter set would be around Rs.900 ( 3 filters)
One Decent Filter membrane would be Rs.1200-1400
and companies charge 4K + for annual AMC so what they would cover extra is PUMP, and that's only Rs.1000 tops, so all in all even in worst case scenario (Blown Pump) you can save Rs.1000 and if pump doesn't needs to be replaced you save Rs.2000+ a year.
other parts are considered as consumables and would be charged by AMC providers so its out of equation for D.I.Y. cost.

Last pic from phone cam before it went down for 2 days
Bought Pocket Digital TDS Meter from this seller delivered a day earlier than ebay estimated time.
Paid Rs.550/- after ebay discount coupon.

 

[ghpk]

there should be a embedded arrow on inlet or outlet of filters, check thoroughly.
I also see 3 wires above pump are disconnected ?

if budget allows 6.5K for a new machine is quite decent and if you machine is working, OLX might help
you get 1K or even 2K for your existing machine too.

 

[udayan]

It's my personal advice, do not buy local machines, the housing and plastic is important, and should be food grade materials.

What you can do is try to get all these parts from eBay (made by same manufacturer as your ro machine) if you get it............. See local stuff is local stuff. And there is nothing expensive in even branded stuff if you can service your machine yourself.

Also branded stuff is not too expensive if bought online.

All filters should be about under 1500rs , membrane if not sealed maximum 1500, if sealed but available in your size(by some other brand) still under 2000 rs of any other branded manufacturer. Even pump booster is under 2k

What else? Why buy local stuff?

 

[bhojv74]

@ghpk : I checked, there r absolutely no in/out or water flow markings. The 3 wires in question gives a visual impression of being open because of the plastic clamp in the foreground. They are connected to 3 metal points in the tank so that the filter is switched off when the level rises to 3rd metal contact.

@ udayan: Zero B spares r listed on their website, they charge Rs 2500 just for membrane. Besides, I do not think they manufacture themselves, they must be only labeling it.

 

[udayan]

If they do make standard size then you find it online and get it cheap

 

[udayan]

Do one thing get one technician who services all brands, give him his 1 visit charge and before him coming tell him what ro you have and what other brand parts can be installed and their prices

 

[bhojv74]

udayan: Can you point me to branded spares for cheap that r available online ?

The ones on ebay, their filters are from branded companies, few r from DOW.

 

[udayan]

Only The technician can tell what brands filter and membrane are compatible with you zero b ro

Moreover main thing Is membrane, see if dow film tech is compatible............. It's only 1400 rs

 

[udayan]

Filmtec DOW Membrane 75 GPD Original for All Domestic RO Purifiers | eBay Mobile

 

[bhojv74]

I bought the below @ 2402 after ebay discount:

RO Full Service KIT With NEW BW60 75 GPD DOW Membrane FOR Water Filter Purifier | eBay

though I had zero B supplied (unbranded) membrane, I still ordered this because of DOW.

 

[ghpk]

If this is a D.I.Y. Task, forget the Sizes, leave the worries and do it.
A good D.I.Y. person should mod the stuff and FORCE FIX the thing he wants in place of stock one >

Best of luck bhojv74, do post pics from your DIY task when you do it.