Apec Water ULTIMATE Quick start guide

ULTIMATE REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
RO-PUMP INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTION
& OWNER’S MANUAL
All Rights Reserved © APEC Water Systems
www.FreeDrinkingWater.com
Ver 1.0
A
ll
Rig
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ts
Res
e
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© APEC
Wa
ter
S
ystems
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ww
.F
r
ee
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at
er
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r
1.
0

Please keep this Owner’s Manual for future reference.
It contains useful information on how to maintain and care for your
APEC Reverse Osmosis water filter system.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Installation:
Preparation ................................................................... page 1
Filter housings assembly ................................................. page 5
Feed water connection .................................................... page 6
Drain saddle connection ................................................ page 10
Faucet mounting ............................................................ page 12
Connecting the whole system ......................................... page 13
2. Maintenance:
Filter change schedule & instructions ............................. page 19
3. Owner’s Manual - RO Basics:
System flow diagram ...................................................... page 24
Input water pressure: most important factor ................... page 25
TDS meter: testing your water quality ............................. page 25
Tank volume & delivery pressure ..................................... page 26
Misc. topics .................................................................... page 26
4. Trouble-shoot Guide:
RO Head diagram .......................................................... page 29
Humming noise ............................................................... page 30
No water at dispensing faucet ......................................... page 30
System slow shut-off ....................................................... page 31
TDS level higher than normal ......................................... page 33
Filter housing is leaking .................................................. page 34
Tank ball valve is leaking ................................................ page 35
Pure water still taste like Tap water ................................. page 35
Air bubble in cup or bottle when filling ........................... page 35
5. Other Information:
AirGap Faucet Installation ............................................. page 36
6. Warranty ........................................................................... page 38
Please keep this Owner’s Manual
f
or
f
uture re
f
erence.
It contains use
f
ul in
f
ormation on how to maintain and care
f
or your
A
PEC Reverse Osmosis water
f
ilter system.
TA
BLE OF CO
N
TE
N
T
1
.
I
n
s
t
a
ll
a
ti
o
n
:
Preparat
i
on ................................................................... page
1
Filter housings assembly ................................................. page
5
Feed water connection .................................................... page
6
Dr
a
in
sadd
l
e
co
nn
ec
ti
o
n ................................................ page 1
0
Faucet mount
i
ng ...........................................................
.
page
12
C
onnecting the whole system ......................................... page 1
3
2
.
M
aintenance:
Filter change schedule & instructions ............................. page 1
9
3
.
O
wner’s Manual - RO Basics:
System
f
low diagram ...................................................... page
24
I
nput water pressure: most important
f
actor ................... page
25
T
DS meter: testing your water quality ...........................
..
page
25
T
ank volume & delivery pressure .....................................
T
T
page 2
6
M
isc. topics .................................................................... page 2
6
4
.
T
rouble-shoot Guide:
TT
RO Head di
ag
ram ..........................................................
pa
ge
29
Humm
i
n
g
no
i
se ...............................................................
pa
ge
30
No water at di
sp
ensi
ng
f
aucet .........................................
pa
ge
30
Sy
stem slow shu
t
-off
.......................................................
pa
ge
31
T
DS level hi
gh
er than normal .........................................
pa
ge
33
Filter housi
ng
is leakin
g
..................................................
pa
ge
34
T
ank ball valve is leaki
ng
................................................
pa
ge
35
Pure water still taste like Ta
p
water .................................
pa
ge
3
5
A
ir bubble in cu
p
or bottle when
f
illi
ng
...........................
p
ag
e 3
5
5
.
Ot
he
r
In
fo
rm
at
io
n:
A
irGap Faucet Installation ............................................. page 36
6
.
W
arranty
W
W
...........................................................................
page
38

1
Thank you for choosing APEC reverse osmosis systems.
You now own the finest water filter in America.
Please read and become familiar with instructions and parts needed before proceeding with the
installation.
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
Inspect the system:
Please take the system and all the components out of the box. Inspect the system and all the
connection fittings carefully, make sure nothing is damaged during shipping. If any part is cracked
or broken, please do not proceed with the installation and contact APEC or your distributor for an
exchange or diagnosis.
Recommended tools list:
xVariable speed drill
xDrill bit: 1/4” (for the waste line), 1/8” (as pilot, not mandatory), and 1/2” (for standard
faucet hole, air-gap faucet requires 1&1/4” hole)
x5/8”, 9/16” open-end wrench, or adjustable wrench, pliers
xPhillips screwdriver
xUtility knife, or scissors
xTeflon tape
Operating Parameter
xOperating pressure: 0 - 30psi maximum
xFeed water temperature: 40 – 100 °F (4-37 °C)
xFeed water TDS level: 2000ppm maximum
xDo not connect this unit to hot water source
xInstall the RO in a sheltered environment, avoid exposure to hot and cold weather or under
direct sunlight.
Copyright:
This manual is copyrighted by APEC Inc. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be reproduced in any form, in
whole or part, without the prior written consent of APEC Inc. Manual print ver. 1.0, 2017 Dec.
General Installation/Operation/Maintenance Requirements
xInstallation needs to comply with state and local laws and regulations.
xSystem must be installed indoor away from possible environmental damage
xDo not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without
adequate disinfection before or after system. Systems certified for cyst reduction may be
used on disinfected water that may contain filterable cysts.
xThis reverse osmosis system contains a replaceable treatment component critical for
effective reduction of total dissolved solids. The product water shall be tested periodically to
verify that system is performing satisfactorily.
1
Thank you
f
or choosing APEC reverse osmosis systems.
Y
ou now own the
f
inestwater
f
ilter in America.
Please read and become
f
amiliar with instructions and parts needed be
f
ore proceeding with the
in
s
t
a
ll
a
ti
o
n.
B
EFORE I
N
STALLATIO
N
:
I
nspect the system:
P
lease take the system and all the components out o
f
the box. Inspect the system and all the
c
onnection
f
ittings care
f
ully, make sure nothing is damaged during shipping. I
f
any part is cracked
o
r broken, please do not proceed with the installation and contact APEC or your distributor
f
or an
e
xchange or diagnosis.
R
eco
mm
e
n
ded
t
oo
l
s
li
s
t:
x
V
ariable speed drill
V
V
x
D
rill
b
it
:
1/4”
(f
or the waste line), 1/8” (as pilot, not mandatory), and1/
2”
(f
or standard
f
aucet hole, air-gap
f
aucet requires 1&1/4” hole
)
x
5/8”, 9/16” open-end wrench, or a
dj
ustable wrench,
pl
iers
x
P
hillips screwdrive
r
x
U
tility kni
f
e, or scissors
x
T
eflon tape
T
T
Op
erating Parameter
x
Operating pressure: 0 - 30psi maximum
x
F
e
ed water temperature: 40 – 100 °F (4-37 °C
)
x
F
e
ed water TDS level: 2000ppm maximum
x
D
o
n
ot
connect this unit to h
ot
water sourc
e
x
I
nstall the RO in a sheltered environment, avoid exposure to hot and cold weather or unde
r
d
irect sunlight.
Copyright
:
This manual is copyrighted by APEC Inc. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be reproduced in any
f
orm, in
whole or part, without the prior written consent o
f
APEC Inc. Manual print ver. 1.0, 2017 Dec.
G
eneral Installation/O
pe
ration/Maintenance R
eq
uirement
s
x
I
nstallation needs to comply with state and local laws and regulations.
x
System must be installed indoor away
f
rom possible environmental damag
e
x
D
o not use with water that is microbiologically unsa
f
e or o
f
unknown quality without
ade
qu
ate disin
f
ection be
f
ore or a
f
ter s
ys
tem. S
ys
tems certi
f
ied
f
or c
ys
t reduction ma
y
be
used on disin
f
ected water that may contain
f
ilterable cysts.
x
This reverse osmosis system contains a replaceable treatment component critical
f
or
eff
ective reduction o
f
total dissolved solids. The product water shall be tested periodically to
veri
f
y that system is per
f
orming satis
f
actorily.

2
Components included with the RO system:
Make sure you have all these parts before starting installation.
1 RO system head
with pre installed membrane
3 Pre-filters in 3 Housings 1 Storage tank
Installation kit includes:
1 Faucet with
washers and nuts
1 Feed water adaptor
3/8”- 1/2”
with needle valve kit
1 Drain saddle for waste water
3 Color tubing 1/4” 1 Tank’s Ball Valve 2 Wrenches
for opening filter and
Membrane housing
1 Faucet Adapter
2
Components included with the RO system:
py
Make sure you have all these parts be
f
ore starting installation
.
1 RO system head
with pre installed membran
e
3
Pre-
f
ilters in 3 Housings 1 Storage ta
nk
I
n
s
t
a
ll
a
ti
o
n kit in
c
l
udes:
1 Faucet with
washers and nuts
1 Feed water adapto
r
3
/8”- 1/2”
with needle valve ki
t
1
Dr
ai
n
sa
dd
le
f
or
w
as
te
w
at
er
3
Color tubing 1/4” 1 Tank’s Ball Valv
e
2 Wrench
es
Wre
f
or opening
f
ilter and
Membrane housi
ng
1 Faucet Ada
pt
e
r

3
Component Itemization:
1) Sediment pre-filter and housing (1st-stage filter)
2) Carbon block pre-filter and housing ( 2nd-stage filter)
3) Carbon block pre-filter and housing ( 3rd-stage filter)
4) Membrane and housing (4th-stage filter)
5) In-line carbon filter (5th-stage filter)
6) Storage tank
7) Tank ball valve
8) Booster Pump
9) Check valve (Internal check valve encased in plastic fitting)
10) T-fitting
11) Feed water inlet
12) Product (filtered) water outlet
13) Bracket
3
Component Itemization
:
p
1) Sediment pre-
f
ilter and housing (
1
st
-
stage
f
ilter)
2)
Carbon block
pr
e-
f
ilter and housi
ng
(
2n
d
-
sta
ge
f
ilte
r)
3
) Carbon block pre-
f
ilter and housing (
3
rd
-
stage
f
ilte
r)
4)
Membrane and housin
g
(4
th
-
sta
ge
f
ilte
r)
5) In-line carbon
f
ilter (
5
th
-
stage
f
ilter)
6)
Stora
ge
tan
k
7) Tank ball valve
8)
Booster Pum
p
9
) Check valve (Internal check valve encased in plastic
f
itting)
10
)
T-
f
ittin
g
11) Feed water inle
t
12
)
Product
(f
iltere
d)
water outle
t
13) Bracke
t

4
2. Metal compression nut fitting: (comes with 1 insert, 1 sleeve, 1 nut) This is for feed water adapter
-needle valve only.
Fitting Types: There are 2 types of fittings provided for connecting the system
Important! Use plastic sleeve and inserts on the plastic tubing we
provide. Do Not use metal sleeve or insert on plastic tubing or the
connection will leak!
Fig.1B
How to connect: - See Fig.1B. Slide the compression nut onto the tubing.
- Slide the plastic sleeve onto the tubing.
- Insert the “insert” into the tubing.
- Insert the tubing into the opening of the fitting.
- Slide the brass nut up, then tighten nut with a wrench. No Teflon tape!
(An extra metal sleeve is provided in case you need to connect your own metal
tubing. Use Teflon tape if connecting metal tubing.)
1. Quick-Connect (QC) fitting: (no insert, sleeve, or nut)Most of the fittings on the RO unit are this
type.
How to Connect: - See Fig.1. Push the tubing into the Quick-Connect fitting, then gently
pull back on the tubing to make sure connection was secure.
- No inserts, sleeve, or nuts are needed to secure the connection.
- No Teflon tape is needed!
To Disconnect: - See Fig.1A. Push in and hold down on the collet ring square against
the fitting. With the collet held in this position the tube can be removed.
Fig. 1 Fig. 1A
4
2. Metal compression nut
f
itting
:
(
c
omes with 1 insert
,
1 sleeve
,
1 nut
)
This is
f
or
f
eed water adapter
-needle valve only.
Fittin
g
Ty
pe
s:
There are 2 types of fittings provided for connecting the system
y
p
g
p
g
y
I
mportant!
Use plastic sleeve and inserts on the plastic tubing we
p
provide. Do Not use metal sleeve or insert on plastic tubing or the
connection will leak!
F
i
g.1
B
H
ow to connect: - See F
i
g.1B. Slide the compression nut onto the tubing.
-
S
li
de
th
e
plastic sleeve
o
nto the tubing.
-
In
se
rt th
e
“in
se
rt” into the tubing.
-
Insert the tubing into the opening o
f
the
f
itting.
-
Slide the brass nut up, then tighten nut with a wrench. No Te
f
lon tape
!
(
An extra metal sleeve is provided in case you need to connect your own metal
tubing. Use Te
f
lon tape i
f
connecting metal tubing.
)
1. Quick-Connect (QC)
f
itting
:
(
no insert, sleeve, or nut
)
Most o
f
the
f
ittings on the RO unit are this
type.
H
ow to Connect: - See F
i
g.
1.
Push the tubing into the Quick-Connect
f
itting, then gently
pull back on the tubing to make sure connection was secure.
- No inserts
,
sleeve
,
or nuts are needed to secure the connection.
- No Te
f
lon tape is needed
!
To Disconnect: -See Fig.1
A
.
Push in and hold down on the collet ring square against
the
f
ittin
g.
With the collet held in this
po
sition the tube can be removed.
F
i
g.
1
Fig. 1
A

5
THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO INSTALLING THE RO SYSTEM:
Part I. Assemble the filters and housings onto the main system
Part II. Installing the system
Note: The RO Membrane Element has already been pre-installed.
PART I. ASSEMBLE THE FILTERS AND HOUSINGS ONTO THE MAIN SYSTEM
Remove plastic/paper wrappings on the 3 filters, put them into the 3 housings, and assemble the
housings onto the main system as follow:
1. See Fig. 2 Stand the 3 housings upright. Make sure each housing has a rubber O-ring in its
groove.
Put the APEC Sediment filter (1-SED10) into the “1st stage” housing on the right.
Put the APEC Carbon filter (23-CAB10) into the “2nd stage” housing in the middle.
Put the APEC Carbon filter (23-CAB10) into the “3rd stage” housing on the left.
2. See Fig. 3 Starting from the 3rd stage housing on the left, hand twist the housing onto the main
system turning counterclockwise, one by one, for all 3 housings.
3. See Fig. 4 Use the wrench provided to completely tighten the housing starting from 1st-stage.
Repeat this step for the 2nd stage housing in the middle, and for the 3rd stage housing
on left.
Note: For some people it is easier to use the wrench with the system laid down
(face up).
4. See Pg. 3 Remove 2 end plugs (white color) from Point 10 Fitting & Point12 Product water
outlet ( see component itemization, page 3 )
Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4
3rd
Stage
turn counter-clockwise
to tighten
3rd
Sta
g
e
2nd
Sta
g
e
1st
Sta
g
e
Use
Wrench
Us
e
5
THEREARE TW
O
PART
S
T
O
IN
S
TALLIN
G
THE R
O
S
Y
S
TEM
:
P
a
rt I.
A
ssemble the
f
ilters and housings onto the main syste
m
P
a
rt II.
I
nstalling the syste
m
Note: The RO Membrane Element has already been pre-installed.
PART I. A
SS
EMBLE THE FILTER
S
AND H
OUS
IN
GS
O
NT
O
THE MAIN
S
Y
S
TE
M
R
emove plastic/paper wrappings on the 3
f
ilters, put them into the 3 housings, and assemble the
housings onto the main system as
f
ollo
w:
1
.
See
F
i
g. 2 Stand the 3 housings upright. Make sure each housing has a rubber O-ring in its
groo
v
e
.
P
ut the APEC Sediment
f
ilter (1-SED10) into the “
1
s
tstage” housing on the right.
P
ut the APEC Carbon
f
ilter (23-CAB10) into the “
2
n
d
stage” housing in the middle.
P
ut the APEC Carbon
f
ilter (23-CAB10) into the “
3
r
d
stage” housing on the le
f
t.
2
.
See
F
i
g. 3 Starting
f
rom the 3r
d
stage housing on the le
f
t, hand twist the housing onto the main
s
ystem turning counterclockwise, one by one,
f
or all 3 housings.
3
.
See
F
i
g. 4
U
se the wrench provided to completely tighten the housing starting
f
rom 1st-stage.
R
epeat this step
f
or the
2
nd
stage housing in the middle, and
f
or the 3
rd
stage housing
o
n l
ef
t.
N
ote
:
For some people it is easier to use the wrench with the system laid down
(f
ace up
).
4
.See Pg. 3
R
emove 2 end plugs (white color)
f
rom Point 10 Fitting & Point12 Product wat
er
outlet ( see component itemization, page 3 )
F
i
g.
2
F
i
g. 3 F
i
g. 4
3
r
d
S
tag
e
tu
rn c
ou
nter
-
c
lo
c
k
wis
e
t
o tig
h
te
n
3
r
d
S
ta
g
e
2
nd
S
ta
g
e
1
st
S
ta
ge
Us
e
W
r
W
e
n
ch
Us
e

6
PART II. INSTALLING THE SYSTEM
Space: Make sure there is sufficient space under the counter for installation (an area of about
17”L x 7”W x 18”H for the system, 11”D x 18”H or L for tank). The pressurized
tank can be installed on its side to save space.
The RO system is best installed under the kitchen sink. But if that is not feasible you
can install the system anywhere where there is a cold water supply with sufficient
water pressure for the chosen RO model, and an outlet to drain off the waste water
from the system.
Mounting: No need to mount the RO system on the wall. The RO system can stand in the sink
cabinet without mounting, this makes future filter change easy and convenient. If
you prefer to mount the system to the wall, please make sure it can be taken down
easily for filter replacement.
Feed Water: RO systems are designed to treat both hard and soft water and can handle incoming
TDS levels up to 2000ppm.
Step 1: Feed Water Connection
The RO system must be connected to the COLD water supply only!
1. Locate the Cold water supply valve under the kitchen sink (the round or oblong handle on
the right side). Turn off the incoming cold water completely by turning the shut off handle
clockwise.
Note: If the cold water shut off valve can not turn off the water, the main water supply
to the house must be shut off for the installation. Another option is to use a “self
piercing saddle valve” from APEC or from a local hardware store.
2. Feed Water Adaptor (1/2” or 3/8”): See Fig. 5. The Feed Water Adaptor comes with a
separate Needle Valve. The Adaptor goes inline onto your 1/2” or 3/8” cold water pipe. The
Needle Valve portion screws onto the Adaptor as shown in Fig. 5A.
Fig. 5
A. 1/2” x 3/8” Male-Female Water Supply Adapter
with O-ring.
B. 1/2” x 3/8” Male-Female Converter with O-ring.
C. 1/4” x 1/8” Male Needle Valve.
6
PART II. IN
S
TALLIN
G
THE
S
Y
S
TE
M
Sp
ace
:
Make sure there is su
ff
icient space under the counter
f
or installation (an area o
f
about
17”L x 7”
W
x 18”
H
f
or the system, 11”D x 1
8
”
H
o
r
L
f
or tank). The pressurized
tank can be installed on its side to save space.
The RO system is best installed under the kitchen sink. But i
f
that is not
f
easible you
c
an install the system anywhere where there is a cold water supply with su
ff
icient
water
pr
essure
f
or the chosen RO model, and an outlet to drain o
ff
the waste wate
r
f
rom the system.
M
ounting:
N
o need to mount the RO system on the wall. The RO system can stand in the sink
c
abinet
without mounting
g
, this makes
f
uture
f
ilter change easy and convenient. I
f
y
ou pre
f
er to mount the system to the wall, please make sure it can be taken down
e
asi
ly
f
or
f
ilter re
pl
acement.
Feed Water:
R
O systems are designed to treat both hard and so
f
t water and can handle incoming
TDS levels up to 2000ppm
.
Step 1: Feed Water Connectio
n
The RO system must be connected to the COLD water supply only!
y
pp
y
y
1. Locate the
Co
l
d
water supply valve under the kitchen sink (the round or oblong handle on
the ri
gh
t side
).
Turn o
ff
the incoming cold water com
pl
etely
by
turning the shut o
ff
handle
c
lockwise.
N
ote: I
f
the cold water shut o
ff
valve can not turn o
ff
the water, the main water sup
pl
y
to the house must be shut o
ff
f
or the installation. Another option is to use a “sel
f
piercing saddle valve”
f
rom APEC or
f
rom a local hardware store.
2
.Feed Water Adaptor (1/2” or 3/8”)
:
S
ee F
i
g. 5. The Feed Water Adaptor comes with a
s
eparate Needle Valve. The Adaptor goes inline onto your 1/2” or 3/8” cold water pipe. The
N
eedle Valve portion screws onto the Adaptor as shown in Fig. 5
A
.
F
i
g.
5
A.
1/2” x 3/8” Male-Female Water Supply Adapte
r
with O-ring.
B. 1/2” x 3/8” Male-Female Converter with O-ring.
C
.1/4” x 1/8” Male Needle Valve
.

7
Fig. 5A - Needle Valve Installation.
Attach the needle valve (C) to water supply adapter (A). Please apply 5-6 wraps of
teflon tape to needle valve prior to connecting it to the water supply adapter (A).
Fig. 5B - If your pipe has a 1/2” Connection.
By attaching the 1/2” x 3/8” converter (B) to the Male end of the water supply adapter
(A), you now have a 1/2” Male and Female water supply adapter.
Fig. 5C - If your pipe has a 3/8” Connection.
By attaching the 1/2” x 3/8” converter (B) to the Female end of the water supply
adapter (A), you now have a 3/8” Male and Female water supply adapter.
Fig. 5A
Fig. 5B Fig. 5C
1/2” Connection 3/8” Connection
7
Fig. 5
A
-
Needle Valve Installation.
Attach the needle valve (C) to water supply adapter (A). Please apply 5-6 wraps o
f
te
f
lon tape to needle valve prior to connecting it to the water supply adapter (A).
F
i
g. 5
B
-
I
f
your pipe has a 1/2” Connection.
B
y attaching the 1/2” x 3/8” converter (B) to the Male end o
f
the water supply adapte
r
(A
),
you now have a 1/2” Male and Female water sup
pl
y adapter.
Fig. 5
C
-
I
f
your pipe has a 3/8” Connection.
B
y attaching the 1/2” x 3/8” converter (B) to the Female end o
f
the water supply
adapter (A), you now have a 3/8” Male and Female water supply adapter.
Fig
.
5A
Fig 5
A
F
i
g. 5
B
Fig. 5
C
Connectio
n
1/2”
o
nnectio
n
3
/8” C
o