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- Aug 1, 2018
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For RO/DI in the basement, I have a brute trash can that has a double float from http://autotopoff.com/Standard/index.html
Then I installed two solenoids on the input line for the RO(also from http://autotopoff.com/Solenoids/index.html), which are plugged into the float switch outlet. When the trash can is full, the float switches kill power to the electric solenoids which shuts off the RO. I use two solenoids for redundancy in case one of the solenoid fails open.
You will inevitably forget about the RO and not turn it off in time, so the float switches will save you. From there you can just manually turn it off with a valve, during times you don't need to make water. In my case, I added a third fail safe. The solenoids are plugged into the float switch outlet, and the float switch plug is plugged into a simple lamp timer to only allow it to run for 2 hours a day. That way, if the float switches get stuck, the RO/DI can only run for 2 hours a day. The idea there being that if the float switches get stuck, I would only find a few gallons on the floor versus a ton of water. I'm down in the basement at least once a day, so I would catch it. But I'm not down there all the time, so it may be a few hours before I would know something is wrong. Two hours a day keeps the trash can full. If I need to make more water, I can always switch the light timer from auto to on and let it run all day.
That's a good idea and something I'll look into doing for ongoing maintenance. Another reason I wish we could all just use tap water without issues lol. At the moment I have a big batch to make this weekend for the initial fill and I'll be around the whole time and set times to remind myself. TBH I'll be impatient and excited so there is no way I will forget, however for water changes and top off and keeping a fresh supply ready, you know, the more mundane stuff once the tank is humming, I can totally see myself forgetting and coming home to a nice little flood there.