SpectraPure MAXCAP RO/DI User manual

REV_4: 2015-08-24
The MAXCAP®RO/DI System
Reverse Osmosis/Ion Exchange
Water Purification System
(Single (90) or Dual (180) Membrane Model)
INSTALLATION AND OPERATING MANUAL
WARNING
Please read carefully before proceeding with installation. Failure to
follow any attached instructions or operating parameter may lead to
the product’s failure and possible damage to property.

SpectraPure
®
SpectraPure
®
Inc. 480.894.5437 Call us toll-free 1.800.685.2783
2167 East Fifth St, Tempe, Arizona 85281
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Thank You for your purchase of a SpectraPure®System. With proper
installation and maintenance, this system will provide you with high quality
water for years to come. All SpectraPure®products are rigorously tested by
us for safety and reliability. If you have any questions or concerns, please
contact our customer service department at 1.800.685.2783 or refer to our
online troubleshooting at www.spectrapure.com.
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... 2
System Information
System Specifications ............................................................................................... 3
System Description ................................................................................................... 4
Installation
System Installation and Initialization .............................................................. 4 - 5
System Components ................................................................................................ 6
Measuring Waste to Product Water Ratio ........................................................ 7
Flow Restrictor Removal, Adjustment and Replacement ........................ 8 -9
Flow Restrictor Tables ........................................................................................... 10
Using your Systems Basic Parts
Metering & Diagnostics ....................................................................................... 11
Filter Diagnostics
Sediment Filter Diagnostic .................................................................................. 12
Carbon Filter Diagnostic ...................................................................................... 13
RO Membrane Diagnostic ............................................................................ 14 -18
Deionization Cartridge Diagnostic ................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting Guide
Troubleshooting Guide ........................................................................................ 20
Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 21
Storage and Mounting ......................................................................................... 22
Warranty .............................................................................................................................. 23
Replacement & Optional Parts ................................................................................... 24
Warning: SpectraPure does not recommend
drinking deionized water.
COPYRIGHT 2002-2015© BY SPECTRAPURE INC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of SpectraPure Inc.

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SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS:
Sediment Prefilter 0.5 micron MicroTec™ sediment prefilter (SF-MT-0.5-10)
Carbon Filter 0.5 micron carbon block prefilter (CF-0.5-10)
RO Membrane Type Thin-Film Composite (TFC)
DI Cartridges MaxCap® DI
SilicaBuster™ DI
Rejection Rate 98% average
Input Water Pressure 60 psi (4.15 bar) line pressure*
Input Water Temp 77°F (25°C)
Recovery Rate 20% (i.e. 20% of the water will be collected as pure water)
Nominal Membrane Flow Rates @ 60 psi, 77° F:
GPD (lpd) Product Water Flow Rate Concentrate Flow Rate
90 (340) 235ml/min 940 ml/min
180 (680) 470 ml/min 1880 ml/min
Higher TDS, harder tap water, higher temperature, greater recovery rate, or
lower operating pressure may contribute to reduced permeate flow and/or
lower TDS rejection.
Reverse Osmosis Membrane Feed Water Requirements :
Operating Pressure* 40–80 psi (2.75–5.5 bar)
pH Range 3 –10
Maximum Temperature 113° F (45° C)
Maximum Turbidity 1.0 NTU
Maximum Silt Density Index 5.0 (based on 15 min. test time)
Maximum Chlorine less than 0.1 ppm
Maximum TDS 1500 ppm
Maximum Hardness 10 grains (170 ppm as CaCO3)
Maximum Iron less than 0.1 ppm
Maximum Manganese less than 0.1 ppm
Maximum Hydrogen Sulfide 0 ppm
Langelier Saturation Index LSI must be negative
*Operating pressure less than 40 psi may require a booster pump:
Use BPLF-MO-115(-230) for Manual Operation, or
BPHF-PS-250/4-115 with Electronic Solenoid and Pressure Switch Control
*Operating pressure greater than 80 psi may require a pressure reducing valve.

SpectraPure
®
SpectraPure
®
Inc. 480.894.5437 Call us toll-free 1.800.685.2783
2167 East Fifth St, Tempe, Arizona 85281
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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:
1. First, the incoming feed water (1/4" Black line) is passed through a 0.5 micron
MicroTec sediment prefilter. This filter is required to remove excess turbidity
(particulate matter) that may cause the carbon block filter to plug.
2. The second stage of filtration is a 0.5 micron carbon block prefilter. This filter removes
organics and chlorine from the feed water that can damage the membrane.
3. The third filtration stage of the system is a high rejection thin film composite
(TFC) reverse osmosis membrane. It removes over 98% of most inorganic salts,
all microorganisms and organics above 100 diatoms molecular weight. (90 gpd
Systems have 1 membrane, 180 Systems have 2 membranes.)
4. The fourth and fifth stage filters are our MaxCap®DI cartridge followed by
SpectraPure’s SilicaBuster™ DI cartridge.
The MaxCap®RODI system comes equipped with two Dual Inline TDS monitors.
The first monitor shows TDS levels of pre and post RO membrane water. The
second monitor helps detect the exhaustion points of the DI stages.
The MaxCap®DI is used as a “roughing” cartridge followed by our original
SilicaBuster™ DI . For example, if the RO water has 25 ppm TDS (Total Dissolved
Solids) entering a SilicaBuster™ DI cartridge alone, it may only process about
200 gallons of pure DI water. By placing a MaxCap®DI cartridge in front of the
SilicaBuster™ cartridge, 600 gallons of water will pass through both cartridges
before the MaxCap®DI is exhausted. The SilicaBuster™ DI cartridge will be only
one-third exhausted. A second MaxCap®DI will process another 600 gallons
and the SilicaBuster™ DI cartridge will now be two-thirds exhausted. Only
after a third MaxCap®DI cartridge processes another 600 gallons will the
SilicaBuster™ DI cartridge finally become fully exhausted.
This example illustrates that three MaxCap®DI cartridges plus the original
mixed-bed cartridge will process 1800 gallons of pure DI water. It would have
taken nine standard mixed-bed cartridges to produce the same amount of pure
DI water.
SYSTEM INSTALLATION & INITIALIZATION:
1. Most of the components of this system are plastic and are subject to damage by
ultraviolet light from the sun and other sources such as metal halide lighting.
2. Avoid installing this unit in an area where it may be subjected to bright light or
direct sunlight, as algae is more likely to thrive inside the clear filter housings
when exposed to bright light. The unit must be kept out of areas that are sub-
ject to freezing temperatures.
3. High temperatures greater than 113° F (45° C) must be avoided. If the unit is
used outside, avoid putting the system in direct sunlight or connecting it to a
garden hose that may be exposed to sunlight.
4. Attach the black tap water tubing to the left side of the Sediment Filter
Housing. (See page 6)
5. Attach the yellow drain line to the Union Connector attached to the red tubing
with the flow restrictor inside. (See page 6)

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SYSTEM INSTALLATION & INITIALIZATION: (continued)
6. Attach the blue product line to the rear port (after the “tee”) of the right-hand
DI housing.
7. Attach the black tubing and elbow(s) to the membrane housing cap(s).
8. Attach the garden hose adapter (connected to the black tubing) to your
cold water source. Never run hot water (greater than 100° F/38° C) through
the system.
9. Remove the two DI filter cartridges from the two right-hand filter housings.
Reconnect the two housings to their threaded caps. Hand tighten.
10. An optional ball valve can be located at a convenient place on the black tap
water line. Cut the black tubing in two and reconnect the two cut ends with
the ball valve, if desired
11. Place the yellow concentrate (waste) tubing and the blue purified
(product) water tubing temporarily into a drain. Do not restrict flow from
these lines.
12. Let both tubings run water down the drain for one hour.
13. Reinstall the two DI cartridges into the DI housings. Hand tighten.
14. There are two groups of red, white, and blue sensor wires. At the end of
the wires, you will find a white connector. Just insert the connector into the
receptacle on the top of each TDS monitor. You can then use the Velcro on
the back to mount the meters where ever it’s convenient. For example, even
on a wall for easier viewing.
15. Open the cold water supply valve. The pressure should not exceed 80 psi.
16. Upon startup, air may be trapped in the DI cartridges (housing may not appear
full), this is a normal condition and it will not affect the operation of the DI
system. However, if you later install an ASO Valve/Check Valve/Float Valve for
automatic operation, all air must be kept purged from the housings by slightly
unscrewing the housing(s) and letting the running water displace the air until
the housings are full of water. When full, hand tighten the housings.
17. Set the right-side meter to “OUT” and run the system until that meter reads
zero. The water is now ready to use. You can set either meter to read either
probe at any time.
18. Close the cold water supply valve.
19. Finish the installation by directing or connecting the yellow line to a
permanent drain.
20. Check the system to ensure that all fittings are tight and leak-free before
leaving the system unattended. (If anything is leaking, contact SpectraPure
for assistance.)
NOTE: It may take several days of normal operation for the membrane to
reach its full production rate.
CAUTION:
• Ensure that all fittings are tight and leak-free before leaving the system unattended.
• The concentrate (waste) line includes a smaller capillary tube (flow restrictor)
that is located “inside” of the tubing. Do not remove or discard this restrictor. The
system will not produce permeate (product) water without the flow restrictor.

SpectraPure
®
SpectraPure
®
Inc. 480.894.5437 Call us toll-free 1.800.685.2783
2167 East Fifth St, Tempe, Arizona 85281
6
Fig. A: System Components
TFC RO Membrane
(MEM-0090)
.5 micron
MicroTec™
Sediment
Prefilter
(SF-MT-.5-10)
.5 micron
Carbon Block
Prefilter
(CF-.5-10)
Pressure
Guage
(2) TDS
Monitors
DI Cartridge #1
DI-MC-10
“MaxCap®”
DI Cartridge #2
DI-SB-10
“SilicaBuster™”
Tap Water
Connection
“Black line”
BLACK LINE: Tap Water Input to system. (Supplied with garden hose adapter)
BLUE LINE: Product Water. (Automate the product water with Liquid Level Controllers)
YELLOW LINE: Concentrated Waste Water. (Goes to drain. Use a drain saddle to
connect to drain pipe)
DETERMINE THE VERSION OF YOUR SYSTEM:
Look down at the top of your system. If there is a short length of red tubing
attached to the yellow drain tubing, then you have the new configuration
that does not need adjustment. You can turn to page 11, METERING AND
DIAGNOSTICS. See below:
Red tube with Flow Restrictor inside
Union Connector
Yellow Drain
Line

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MEASURING WASTE TO PRODUCT WATER RATIO:
This procedure will assure you of maximum life and reliability of your SpectraPure
System. Failure to perform this procedure can permanently damage the membrane
and will void Warranty.
In order to maximize the life of your SpectraPure RO Membrane, you may need
to adjust the ratio of the concentrate to purified water. If not enough concentrate
is allowed to flow past the membrane during operation, the impurities will
precipitate out on the membrane surface, clogging the RO Membrane. To keep
this from happening, the Concentrate to Purified Water Ratio must be checked
and adjusted in order to compensate for pressure and temperature variations that
exist in all water supplies. The flow rate of the concentrate must be a minimum of
3X the product flow rate. 3X to 5X is an acceptable concentrate flow rate.
PROCEDURE: (You will need a Stop Watch and Measuring Cup)
1. Open the cold water supply valve and let the system run for 5 minutes. Direct
both tubes down the drain.
2. Collect product water from the blue tubing into a measuring cup for one
minute Measure the collected amount in milliliters (236 ml = 1 cup). Do the
same with the waste water from the yellow tubing.
WASTE (YELLOW) IN MILLILITERS______________
DIVIDED BY
PRODUCT (BLUE) IN MILLILITERS______________
The resultant is the Concentrate to Product Ratio
(Although not needed in this procedure, the daily product flow rate in Gallons
per Day (GPD) can be calculated to be equal to the product flow rate times 0.38 ).
3. If ratio is less than 3:1
Disconnect yellow drain line from the membrane housing and remove flow
restrictor as shown on pages 10-11. Use the appropriate Waste to Product ratio
chart (Fig D on page 12) to determine how long to cut the flow restrictor in
order to obtain a 3:1 to 4:1 ratio.
4. If ratio is greater than 6:1
An additional flow rectriction is required. (Please contact SpectraPure Inc.)
5. Turn on feed supply and check for leaks.
6. This completes the procedure.
NOTE: WHEN TESTING AND ADJUSTING THE RATIO, THE WATER PRESSURE
SHOULD BE BETWEEN 40-80 PSI. IF YOUR PSI IS BELOW 40, YOU
MIGHT BENEFIT FROM A BOOSTER PUMP.

SpectraPure
®
SpectraPure
®
Inc. 480.894.5437 Call us toll-free 1.800.685.2783
2167 East Fifth St, Tempe, Arizona 85281
8
Fig. B: Reverse Osmosis Assembly
Top/Rear View
membrane
feed
push fitting
black tubing
to membrane
feed
RO membrane
yellow concentrate tubing
(Waste Water)
blue purified water
tubing (Good Water)
FLOW RESTRICTOR REMOVAL, ADJUSTMENT
AND REPLACEMENT
1. Locate the yellow concentrate tubing (Fig. B). Remove the tubing from its
push fitting at the membrane as follows:
a.) Firmly depress and hold the push fitting collar down with your thumbnail.
b.) While the push fitting collar is depressed, pull the tubing straight out of
the push fitting. Once the tubing is removed, release the collar.
2. Carefully remove the flow restrictor assembly, now visible as a plastic insert
In the end of the yellow tubing (Fig. C). You may use an object such as a dull
knife to help pry the flow restrictor insert from the end of the tubing. The
entire flow restrictor (consisting of the insert collar and thin capillary tubing)
may then be gently extracted.
NOTE: Sometimes, the Flow Restrictor might get stuck in the membrane
fitting. To remove, use needle nose pliers and rock the plastic
collar back and forth, while pulling. Take care not to crush or
otherwise damage the delicate capillary tubing.
3. Refer to the Flow Restrictor Tables (Fig. D on page 10). Find the table that
represents the Flow Restrictor Assembly for the system that you have. Find the
product flow rate in the leftmost column and the length of the flow restrictor
in the rightmost column. To be safe, add two inches to that specified length.
Example: If your Flow Restrictor Assembly is for a 90 GPD Membrane and the
product flow rate is 175 ml/min, then the flow restrictor length
should be a total of 6 (+2) inches, or 8 inches (20.3 cm.).

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4. Using a new single-edge razor blade, carefully measure and then cut the flow
restrictor to the total length calculated. (Do not cut with scissors.)
5. Reinsert the flow restrictor assembly into the yellow tubing and firmly reseat
the insert into the end of the yellow tubing by carefully pressing on the insert
with your thumbnail. Care should be taken not to crush or otherwise damage
the end of the capillary tubing protruding from the end of the insert.
6. Reinsert the yellow tubing into its push fitting in the RO membrane as follows:
a.) Moisten the O-ring seal inside the concentrate outlet fitting by dripping a
few drops of clean water into the fitting.
b.) Grasp the yellow tubing near the flow restrictor end, and insert the
tubing into the push fitting. Push the tubing into the fitting until resis-
tance is felt, approximately 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). The tubing is now resting
on the O-ring seal inside the fitting.
c.) Firmly push the tubing approximately an additional 1/4 inch (6.35 mm)
further into the fitting to completely seat the line into the fitting and
O-ring seal.
7. Turn on the system water supply and check for leaks prior to further use or
testing. If a leak is observed, you may not have pushed the yellow tubing into
the push fitting far enough to seal the tubing against the O-ring. Turn off the
system water supply and re-seat the tubing as described above. If the retested
ratio is between 3:1 and 4:1, this procedure is complete.
YELLOW TUBING:
(Disconnected
from membrane
housing’s fitting.)
CAPILLARY TUBE:
(Specific diameters
are matched for
each size membrane
to restrict the flow of
waste water leaving
the RO membrane’s
housing.)
PLASTIC INSERT: (Insert keeps
capillary tube in the yellow line and
prevents it from washing down the
drain. It also forces waste water to
flow through the capillary tubing to
restrict waste water as it leaves the
housing.)
Fig. C: Flow Restrictor Assembly

SpectraPure
®
SpectraPure
®
Inc. 480.894.5437 Call us toll-free 1.800.685.2783
2167 East Fifth St, Tempe, Arizona 85281
10
Fig. D: Flow Restrictor Tables
(For 4:1 Concentrate to Product Ratio)
FR-90 (YELLOW)
PRODUCT RATE CUT TO LENGTH
ml/min gpd in. cm.
269 102 1 2.5
233 88 2 5.1
213 81 3 7.6
198 75 4 10.2
183 69 5 12.7
175 67 6 15.2
164 62 7 17.8
154 58 8 20.3
148 56 9 22.9
141 54 10 25.4
136 52 11 27.9
133 50 12 30.5
129 49 13 33.0
128 48 14 35.6
124 47 15 38.1
124 47 16 40.6
FR-180 (GREEN)
PRODUCT RATE CUT TO LENGTH
ml/min gpd in. cm.
490 186 1 2.5
460 175 2 5.1
430 163 3 7.6
400 152 4 10.2
379 144 5 12.7
356 135 6 15.2
344 131 7 17.8
326 124 8 20.3
311 118 9 22.9
300 114 10 25.4
289 110 11 27.9
281 107 12 30.5
270 103 13 33.0
263 100 14 35.6
259 98 15 38.1
256 97 16 40.6