Quick RO Auto-Shutoff Project

[matt_m]

Twice now I've turned on RO water to fill my kettle only to forget. Luckily our RO system only has enough storage to generate about 14 gallons of water in ~12 hours so I've not (yet) overflowed my 15 gallon kettle but it was time to do something. I previously tried an expensive electronic solution with a flowmeter that was wildly inaccurate. I thought about a simple float switch with a solenoid but after some thinking came up with this contraption using parts I had lying around that reuses the recirculation port I have in my lid. The bottom piece of tubing is hiding a straight-through John Guest-style fitting. It happens to work out that clamping the QD down squeezes the gasket into the 1/2" OD stainless tubing holding it snugly, but not so much I can't make adjustments, the small piece of tubing just keeps it from sliding around during installation. I just have to pop the blue tubing apart at the valve to install.

 

[jddevinn]

Ghetto version. To make adjustments I drain the excess water. I keep meaning to make a permanent solution... but it works.

 

[Genuine]

I've been thinking about something like this since I've overflowed my 15 gallon kettle more times than I care to admit.

 

[jddevinn]

https://www.amazon.com/PureSec-Plas...o+shut+float+valve+1/4&qid=1607546426&sr=8-10

 

[Bobby_M]

That looks like a flood waiting to happen. At least bungie cord the wood down to the handles to keep it from flopping out.

 

[jddevinn]

If it falls to the right that is the direction that the valve shuts off.

 

[day_trippr]

That valve closes when the floats rises, obviously, so if that support arm rolls to the right the valve will be fully open forever

Cheers!

 

[jddevinn]

That valve closes when the floats rises, obviously, so if that support arm rolls to the right the valve will be fully open forever

Cheers!

**** you are right.... but it's never fallen over. .....it also has exposed nails cause it's scrap. Was supposed to be for one brew until I did the plumbing but has been like that for ~8 months.

 

[matt_m]

In my case the valve has got to be more reliable than the owner

 

[jddevinn]

I've forgotten to open it twice, but never had an issue with it shutting off.

 

[Bobby_M]

I've forgotten to open it twice, but never had an issue with it shutting off.

Famous last words. At least you know where to find some wood to knock on.

 

[jddevinn]

Famous last words. At least you know where to find some wood to knock on.

That woods not for knocking, it has splinters and nails

 

[jddevinn]

It actually has another "flange" piece of wood on the other side that you can't see to stop from rotating in that direction. Not any easier to knock off than a better quality bar or lid mounted would be.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Those are three pics from customers. If you need a swivel elbow, you can find those here: Swivel Elbow - Buckeye Hydro

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Also - for those new to RO System: The system has TWO outlets - one is the PERMEATE (aka RO water, or "the good water"), and that you can control with a float valve as shown above. Bur even if the float valve closes, you'll still have CONCENTRATE (aka flush water) running to drain 24/7.

Wouldn't it be cool if you could have all water stop flowing through the RO when the permeate float valve closes? You can - easy peezy. You need three parts:
1. Float Valve
2. Auto Shut Off Valve
3. Check Valve

All three are available as a kit here: Auto Shut Off Valve Kit - Buckeye Hydro
Or you can get each individual piece on the site as well.
Instructions to hook it up: https://www.buckeyehydro.com/content/Auto_Shut_Off_Valve.pdf

Russ

 

[matt_m]

Our system has the auto shutoff and check valve since its a full residential system with some extra pressurized storage to allow me to draw off my typical 9 gallons of brewing water without affecting household operations. But that's a good point for those with the simpler portable systems.

Edit: added "pressurized" per Russ's note below.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Any system that feeds a pressurized storage tank will have an auto shutoff valve (ASOV) and check valve.

Russ

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Another thing to consider for those with a pressurized storage tank - Have you ever wished you had more storage capacity? You can ADD another pressure tank. Simply add a quick connect tee to the line that goes to your existing tank, and a piece of tubing to the new tank. Your system will now shut off when BOTH tanks are full, and kick on when both tanks are low. The tanks do not need to be the same size/capacity.

Russ