cold basement for RO/DI

[allhandsworking]

Hey guys Im an addicted newbie tankless for now. Doing a month of reading so far. So Im wondering could I install a RODI in my garage or basement? In the winter my basement temp could be in the low 50 F. My garage could be in the 40s. Does cold temp affect the rodi unit? Also I read about dumping waste water into the wash machine. I have a front loading LG can I do this with this type of machine? (I would have to bring water temp up be fore adding it to the tank)
Once again a forum has made researching a hobby or interest so easy! Great site! Thanks!

 

[NewfiDog]

As long as it dosent freeze. You may need a heater for your stored water as its would be cold .

If you washer goes into a stand pipe just put the line in there, not the machine. If you have a sump pump you can put it in there also.If washer goes into a sink just put the line into the sink, if your washer is hard connected then you will need to tap into it if you have no other way. If you want to just let the waste goe outside you would have to bring the line back in when its cold dont let it freeze.

 

[MatthewScars]

Yeah, as long as it stays around 40 degrees at the lowest, it will be fine. Lower than that, you risk freezing and destroying the filters and possibly the RODI casing. So if it doesnt get below that, go for it.

I researched 8 months before getting a tank. Its definitely the way to go. Far too often I see people just going into local stores and being ripped off with things they dont need, or putting tangs in 20g tanks. +1 for you.

 

[Cris007]

If u do set it up in one of those locations u might want to get a booster pump. U will get much less GPD at those temps. There rated output is at ideal temps around 60? to 70? min.

 

[masterswimmer]

If u do set it up in one of those locations u might want to get a booster pump. U will get much less GPD at those temps. There rated output is at ideal temps around 60? to 70? min.

+1, however optimum operating temp is about 77? with 70-80 psi.

As stated above, just make sure the temp doesn't go below freezing.

Kudos on the research first, jump in later attitude. Will save you potentially thousands of $$ and increase likelihood of success.

Russ

 

[Cris007]

77? I don't think our water in NY ever gets that high maybe in a heatwave. So definitely get a booster pump do a group buy I need 1 too.. Lol

 

[MatthewScars]

77? I don't think our water in NY ever gets that high maybe in a heatwave. So definitely get a booster pump do a group buy I need 1 too.. Lol

I hook mine to my cold water (as everyone else does). NYC cold water is ~50-60?

Don't know how you would get it to 77F without mixing hot and cold and making it not overly complicated.

If you get a booster, make sure you get the reducers with it. The one I just bought (aquatec 8800) has a 3/8" inlet/outlet and my RODI is 1/4". Who wants to put money on the Home depot in Bedstuy doesn't have them?

 

[masterswimmer]

77? I don't think our water in NY ever gets that high maybe in a heatwave. So definitely get a booster pump do a group buy I need 1 too.. Lol

Understandable, however the 77? is OPTIMUM operating temperature. Some people take a 30'-50' coil of RODI tubing (only about $.17/foot) and put the center of the coil into a bucket (ie:empty salt bucket) fill with water and put a heater in it. This will raise the temperature of the water inside the RODI tubing to what you've set the temperature to.

Also, the booster pump you'd want to get is the Aquatec 6800 Booster Pump. It is a 1/4" in/out pump that will fit just about all RO/DI systems. Some people might have 3/8" lines that require the Aquatec 8800, but those are rare.

Hope this helps,
Russ

 

[TimberTDI]

+1 to what Russ stated.

My garage gets down to 40 in the winter time. I bought 200' of 1/4" line, left it all coiled in a bucket full of water and a heater. No problem.

Steven

 

[allenjj]

Added Questions

Always wondered how you would get the cold water up to temp for ideal conditions. As I move my RODI into the new basement sump room, will get the pipe and bucket going. Does the colder water affect the filters performance or lifespan at all?

 

[masterswimmer]

Always wondered how you would get the cold water up to temp for ideal conditions. As I move my RODI into the new basement sump room, will get the pipe and bucket going. Does the colder water affect the filters performance or lifespan at all?

The performance of the RO/DI output (good water, also called permeate) is directly effected by the temperature and pressure. As the temperature decreases, so does the permeate.

The above 'trick' for getting the water up to temp works great and is real cheap.

Russ

 

[allhandsworking]

Great tips! I have an idea instead of a bucket how about a cooler. Its insulated and will keep the coil warmer and use less juice to run. For that mater the RO/DI could go inside the cooler also!

 

[masterswimmer]

Great tips! I have an idea instead of a bucket how about a cooler. Its insulated and will keep the coil warmer and use less juice to run. For that mater the RO/DI could go inside the cooler also!

The cooler is a great idea. I wouldn't put the RO/DI in it, but the coil, water & heater is a good plan.

Russ