Storing your WaterFed System for Long Periods of Time
When storing your WaterFed system, it’s important to make sure all filters are kept sealed and indoors. One way to seal your filters is to disconnect your hoses and reuse the plastic end caps which come standard on each new filter. If you don’t have caps, you can simply connect the end of your bypass / waste hose to the inlet fitting of your system, and keep the black plastic shut off valve on the outlet of your system in the closed position. This method is also sufficient to keep everything air and water tight.
If your DI filter is allowed to completely dry out, the DI resin inside will lose its electric potential and no longer be capable of filtering water. RO and DI filters need to stay moist, but do not need to be full of water, so it’s okay to drain excess water. Just don’t allow them to dry out completely.
If WaterFed filters are allowed to freeze, this can also cause damage. Severity usually depends on how much of the water inside the filters has actually frozen. The expansion and contraction of freezing and thawing water can damage your internal filter elements. This can be a costly mistake, so it’s important to take care that you don’t accidentally leave your WaterFed system in conditions which could result in freezing temperatures. Filter freezing is most common when a WaterFed system is left in an unheated vehicle / environment for long periods during freezing temperatures, especially overnight when temperatures can reach their lowest.
It’s also important to keep your WaterFed system away from direct heat sources, and out of direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can both degrade your equipment over extended periods of time.
While in storage, you’ll also want to flush your RO filter periodically to help ensure maximum lifespan. Abc recommends flushing your RO filter for about 5 minutes, once every 2-4 weeks. Periodic flushing during storage will ensure that the RO filter membrane does not dry out, and will reduce the chances of biological growth and mineral scale binding to and clogging your filter elements while in storage.
WaterFed Cleaning During Cold Weather Months
As source water gets colder it gets “thicker”, resists flow, and the flow rate (gallons per minute) out of an RO membrane decreases. As water gets warmer, it gets “thinner” and the flow rate coming out of a membrane increases. If you haven’t used your WaterFed system in cold temperatures before, it’s normal to see a significant drop in pure water flow rate, depending on exactly how cold your source water is. Many TDS (total dissolved solids) meters also measure water temperature, so this is an easy way to get an idea of exactly how cold your source water is. Flow rates stated on RO filters generally assume a water temperature of about 70 degrees F, so this is when they will perform best, and give maximum water flow. For every degree F you lower the temperature below 70 you lose about 2% of water flow.
For example, let’s say you’re getting crazy and working with water that’s 40 degrees F. At this temperature, your flow rate is reduced by up to 60%, compared to the ideal 70 degrees F. For this reason, abc does not recommend using your WaterFed system during very cold temperatures.
Visit our flow calculator to see how various factors affect your flow!
Although abc does not carry equipment to heat water in an effort to increase water flow rates, some users have successfully employed small propane water heaters to do so. However, RO filter membranes can incur damage if exposed to water temperatures over 110 degrees F. It’s also important to consider if the hoses you’re using are rated for hot water temperatures.
After taking your WaterFed system out of long storage periods, we recommend flushing your RO filter for a few minutes before using it again for the first time. If you’re unsure how much “life” your filters have left, you can quickly and easily determine if they need to be replaced by using abc’s guide on How to determine When and Which WaterFed Filters to Change.