Pressure gauge shows 20psi. What is a booster pump and do I need one?

[GoSUV]

I have an Aqua/FX 4-stage RO/DI filter and the pressure gauge shows 20psi. It has never been higher than that. Do I need a booster pump to drive up the pressure? When the gauge reads low what does that indicate? Membrane clogged? Inlet water pressure too low so that the membrane is not operating at its max efficiency? Please advise.

I have the unit for 6 months.

[Ocean Images]

Where is the gauge located on the unit? I would think it is for the incoming water pressure.......are you on city water or well water? perhaps your gauge is NFG
:cheers:

[GoSUV]

I live in an apartment and it is on city water. I think the gauge is located/tee'd off just before the RO membrane. Perhaps the gauge is malfunctioning as the front glass is cracked and I didn't bother to replace it.

Do city water users typically have lack of pressure problems for their RO units?


Originally posted by Ocean Images
Where is the gauge located on the unit? I would think it is for the incoming water pressure.......are you on city water or well water? perhaps your gauge is NFG
:cheers:

[Ocean Images]

Most city water pressure is between 90 to 140 PSI, you should have lots.
Now, if you can tell me what thread size is on the bottom of your gauge I can mail you a new one free of charge (I am always trying to help out fellow reefers)
I would think the gauge has a 1/8" pipe thread, also tell me where the threaded part of the gauge is?? are they on the back or the bottom of the gauge.
:cheers:

[GoSUV]

Oh, thank you very much for your kind offer :thanks:

The threaded part of the gauge is on the back. If you know what the Aqua/FX Barracuda 4-stage unit looks like, the gauge is tee'd off from a 1/4" OD John Guest Speedfit, and then on the other end of the JG fitting, it is threaded into the gauge. I will unscrew the gauge tonight and let you know tomorrow with the exact size.

Thanks.


Originally posted by Ocean Images
Most city water pressure is between 90 to 140 PSI, you should have lots.
Now, if you can tell me what thread size is on the bottom of your gauge I can mail you a new one free of charge (I am always trying to help out fellow reefers)
I would think the gauge has a 1/8" pipe thread, also tell me where the threaded part of the gauge is?? are they on the back or the bottom of the gauge.
:cheers:

[Ocean Images]

No problem:wink-grin

[Red-Sea]

GoSUV, I have a RO/DI unit similer to yours the presure guage is located or teed after the carbon filter just prior to entering to the Membrance, if it's reading 20PSI it may be correct, I also live in a Condominium building & my water presure is 55-60PSI all the time. I would check the Sidment filter or the Carbon filter they may be cloged up therefor it's reading 20PSI since the guage measures water presure after pasing those 2 filters, you can disconnect your input line & connect it directly to the presure guage since it's equiped with JG fittings it should only take you 10 sec. that way you know the true reading of the input line & not after passing thru the filters... Good luck.:smoke:

[Mugster]

Originally posted by GoSUV
I have an Aqua/FX 4-stage RO/DI filter and the pressure gauge shows 20psi. It has never been higher than that. Do I need a booster pump to drive up the pressure? When the gauge reads low what does that indicate? Membrane clogged? Inlet water pressure too low so that the membrane is not operating at its max efficiency? Please advise.

I have the unit for 6 months.

I have the same exact unit and I think I may have the answer to your low pressure problem. Check the position of the flush valve. It's the valve located above the membrane housing. If it's open then your pressure will be about 20psi. Closed it should be around 80, higher or lower. I had the same problem when I first ran my unit and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why my pressure was so low. I also thought I needed a booster pump.

HTH,
Kev

[Red-Sea]

One more thing any RO/DI filter needs at least 35PSI of preasure to operate, anything below that you'll be damaging your Membrance due to lack of presure, most manufacutes test their unit based on 70PSI of presure & 70F. temperature to rate the correct GPD production, if your water is 50F. and your RO unit is rated at 100GPD it will only produce about 60GPD, hope this helps...

[Red-Sea]

Wow Kev, I wish I had that kind of presure in my place, I bet when time comes to change those filter you have to apply quite bit of force to unscrew the filter housings...Lucky bugger...lol:roflmao:

[Mugster]

Originally posted by Red-Sea
Wow Kev, I wish I had that kind of presure in my place, I bet when time comes to change those filter you have to apply quite bit of force to unscrew the filter housings...Lucky bugger...lol:roflmao:

That's high huh? Go figure. I thought it was a tad low myself. I get a nice steady flow of filtered water. And yes, it does take some effort to unscrew the housings...lol.

Kev

[Ocean Images]

In Orangeville, we have a pretty steady water pressure of 90-95 PSI. It makes for quick RO water output :)

[GoSUV]

Originally posted by Mugster

I have the same exact unit and I think I may have the answer to your low pressure problem. Check the position of the flush valve. It's the valve located above the membrane housing. If it's open then your pressure will be about 20psi. Closed it should be around 80, higher or lower. I had the same problem when I first ran my unit and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why my pressure was so low. I also thought I needed a booster pump.

HTH,
Kev

You mean, the membrane flush kit valve? If it's open you are just flushing the membrane and what you get is near faucet pressure water (and lots of it) out of the yellow line. Of course I had it closed. I get reasonable production of RO/DI water so I suspect my gauge is broken, rathen than just 20psi of inlet water pressure. My product rate is 80GPD, not quite 100GPD, but close.

[Mugster]

Originally posted by GoSUV


You mean, the membrane flush kit valve? If it's open you are just flushing the membrane and what you get is near faucet pressure water (and lots of it) out of the yellow line. Of course I had it closed. I get reasonable production of RO/DI water so I suspect my gauge is broken, rathen than just 20psi of inlet water pressure. My product rate is 80GPD, not quite 100GPD, but close.

Ok, well you didn't specify how much water production you were getting, just that your guage was only reading 20 psi.

Kev