3 stage mains powered RO - worth it?

[Slev]

Hi folks,

Just wondering if anyone has used one of these handy RO systems.  Simple enough,  3 stage system,  works off mains pressure.  I know it would be slow,  and the data on Amazon  doesn't give much detail.
But for about €50, is it worth it to have a source of ro?  Or would it be just buying frustration?



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0015QBCNC/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1475684663&sr=8-5&keywords=reverse+osmosis#

[Will_D]

Hi Slev,

We in the North County have bought about 4 of these at least.

Have a read here:

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,16138.0.html

Also other threads on NCB mention this system

[Slev]

Thanks Will

Did read that thread,  but assumed that it was a more complex system.

Will try and measure the water pressure here tomorrow evening .  This time of the year,  it is grand,  but does drop off significantly in the summer.  Guessing this could be an issue with this kind of system?

[Will_D]

Yes water pressure is always an issue with RO systems. If you have low water pressure you can use a booster pump. These are available on ebay from china.

[Acott]

Interested in this as well! I like the idea of connecting and disconnecting as I need it.

@Will, do North County have 3 stage or 5 stage?

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I bought my unit in Spain and asked the guy in the shop if he thought I needed a booster pump. The municipal water pressure in Spain is much higher than here in Ireland (probably due to the amount of high rise apartments) he said that if the water pressure was low then it would slow down the throughput and generate more waste water.
PS I bought the unit with the pump included

[Slev]

How long does it take to fill,  say 25l with the pumped system?

[Slev]

Just measured the standing pressure -  2.55 bar (37psi).  And that is as good as it has ever been.  Which I guess would be sufficient for the non pumped system - But when it drops below that. 
Have you retro fitted any of the systems with a booster pump Will?

[redshift]

I have one very similar to this and run it just off mains pressure, it takes around 2-2.5 hours to collect 25L.

[BrewDorg]

How portable are these? I'm not in a position to install one permanently but if I could hook it up to the garden tap, collect the water and then pack it away again, it could work for me.

[Slev]

I have one very similar to this and run it just off mains pressure, it takes around 2-2.5 hours to collect 25L.

As in the pumped version?

[redshift]

I have one very similar to this and run it just off mains pressure, it takes around 2-2.5 hours to collect 25L.

As in the pumped version?

No it's similar to the pic in the op, not pumped just works off the mains pressure.

[Slev]

I have one very similar to this and run it just off mains pressure, it takes around 2-2.5 hours to collect 25L.

As in the pumped version?

No it's similar to the pic in the op, not pumped just works off the mains pressure.

OK.  That's pretty good.  Do you have fairly good pressured mains consistantly?

And

[Will_D]

@Acott: They are the £50 3 stage ones. Delivered via PM it was €130 for 2

@Slev: As posted I am getting 9 L per hour. No one yet has fitted booster pump afaik

@Redshift: Yes thats about what I would get

@Brewdorg; They are totally portable! You just need access to a mains water connection, ideally with a 3/4" bsp tap connector. Most garden watering taps fit this definition. You can take of from the storage tank 9as the ro membrane will remove the spders ab other crap) but at best you will get less than 1 bar (1 bar = 32' of water head)

[Slev]

Thanks for the info.

Had nearly taken myself into buying the Vyair pumped 3 stage  plus DI stage system.  But think I will give this a one a go.  And as you say,  can always retro fit a booster pump if need be.