Water Control PS-5 Operating manual

PS-5 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Troubleshooting/Maintenance
1931 205th Ave NW ·Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: [phone] ·Fax: [phone]
www.watercontrolinc.com
Maintenance
-4 stage membrane/filter cartridge should be changed every 1-2 years
oDecrease in system production and increased TDS output are signs the cartridge needs
to be changed
-Inline carbon filter
oShould be changed every 6-12 months
Troubleshooting
-#1 Problem – Water Leaking Out of Air Gap
oSystem is doing what it is designed to do
Air gap is typically required by code
•Creates separation between RO unit (backflow prevention)
Water that backs up in the drain line goes out of air gap rather than back to RO
unit.
oCauses
Installation errors
•Is the drain saddle installed nice and straight?
•Does the drain tubing that connects from the air gap on the faucet to
the drain saddle have any loops or dips in the line?
oShould be installed as short and straight as possible in a
downward path.
Obstruction in the drain tubing between air gap faucet and drain saddle
•Disconnect the tubing and blow through it in either direction to make
sure it is clear.

PS-5 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Troubleshooting/Maintenance
1931 205th Ave NW ·Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: [phone] ·Fax: [phone]
www.watercontrolinc.com
2
-A Noisy Air Gap Faucet
This can be caused by the air gap faucet, the location of the drain saddle, a restriction in the
drain tube, or water pressure in excess of 85 psi.
Some noise is caused on start-up after filter changes by air being purged from the system. Once
the air is expelled from the unit (usually after about 5 minutes) this noise should subside.
Although the air-gap faucet inherently makes some noise, this can be amplified if the water
running from the drain saddle splashes into the water in the sink trap. This noise can be reduced
by either moving the drain saddle to a greater height, or by securing a fishing line through the
drain saddle and down into the sink trap, allowing the water to run down the side of the drain
pipe.
A restriction in the drain tube can be caused by debris from the dishwasher or garbage disposal.
The tube can be unclogged by removing it and cleaning it with a wire or coat hanger.
If the water pressure is above 85 psi, a pressure regulator may be required.

PS-5 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Troubleshooting/Maintenance
1931 205th Ave NW ·Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: [phone] ·Fax: [phone]
www.watercontrolinc.com
3
Troubleshooting A Water System That Does Not Deliver (Enough) Water to the Faucet
The typical questions to ask when troubleshooting an RO system with a product delivery issue are:
1. Is the feed line providing sufficient water to the unit?
2. Is the Automatic Shut Off Valve Working?
3. Is the membrane producing water correctly?
4. Is the storage tank working correctly?
5. Is the postfilter clogged?
If everything was working well and suddenly there was no water at all then number 2 is the most likely
candidate. If everything was working well and the volume of water that the system would deliver was
drastically reduced, then number 4 is the most likely candidate.
1. Is the feed line providing water/pressure to the unit? Turn off feed water. Disconnect the green
tube from the feed valve on the RO system side of the valve. Direct the valve into a bucket and
open the feed valve. You should get a strong stream without interruption. If you do not get a
strong stream, your RO system is not getting the flow and pressure it needs. Find out if your feed
connection is clogged or if there is something wrong with your plumbing or installation. If you do
have a good, strong stream, turn off the feed valve. Reconnect the green feed tubing to the valve.
2. Is the Automatic Shut Off Valve (ASOV) working? Is there water going down the drain? If there is,
then the ASOV is not likely to be the problem. If no water is flowing through system, none down
the drain, turn feed water off. Close tank valve. Open faucet until no water comes out then close
faucet. Disconnect membrane vessel from frame. Open feed water slowly. If water does not come
out of fitting where membrane vessel was connected, ASOV needs to be replaced. On a PS-5 the
water should come out of the fitting at the top.
3. Is the membrane producing water? If water is going down the drain but very little is coming out of
faucet, it could be that membrane is not producing sufficient water. Test the flow by closing the
tank valve and then opening the faucet. Use a measuring cup. A healthy membrane with good
feed pressure should output approximately four ounces (or 130 ml) per minute (60 seconds). If it
is less than 2 ounces (60 ml) per minute, disconnect the system drain line from your sink drain
saddle and check brine flow rate. System drain line flow rate should be approximately 7ounces
(220 ml) per minute, if it is less than 4 ounces (120 ml) per minute, either your house pressure is
below 40 psi or your membrane vessel is clogged. If brine flow is between 5 and 9 ounces (150 -
265 ml) per minute, it is probably time for a new membrane.

PS-5 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Troubleshooting/Maintenance
1931 205th Ave NW ·Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: [phone] ·Fax: [phone]
www.watercontrolinc.com
4
4. Is storage tank operating correctly? Open the faucet until the water stops flowing in a stream. Try
to pick up storage tank. If it is heavy like a bowling ball, it may not be working correctly. If it is light
like a basketball, make sure that the tank valve is open.
To test a heavy tank, close feed water supply, close valve on top of tank, open and then close the
faucet to relieve any pressure in the system. Unlock the strap buckle. Disconnect the tubing from
the tank valve. To disconnect the tubing the collet (colored ring that tubing goes through) needs
to be pushed towards the valve until it bottoms while simultaneously pulling the tube out of the
fitting. This may take some effort, especially if it has been some time since it was installed. Make
sure that the collet stays fully depressed, all the way around into the fitting. Some jiggling and/or
twisting of the tubing or tank may help. After the tubing has been disconnected from the tank
valve, point the valve opening into a bucket. Open the valve but be prepared for a discharge
similar to a fire hose. If you get a high-pressure output for more than 1 gallon, your tank is
probably healthy. If you do not get a high-pressure output or if only a small amount or water is
discharged, and your tank is still heavy, then your tank has failed. Adding air pressure at the
Schraeder valve (an empty tank should be pressurized to 5 psi) may be tempting and it might get
the tank to behave correctly temporarily if the bladder has developed a slow leak. This is not
recommended since it only very rarely works at all and is only a temporary improvement, if any.
5. Is the postfilter clogged? If the tank is full and delivers water when it is not connected to the
postfilter but very little or no water is delivered to the faucet, the postfilter may be clogged.
Replace the postfilter.