Reverse Osmosis started refilling every use?

[Greg D]

I hope it's ok to post about my RO system here. When I first installed it, it worked as it should because the drinking tank would not refill for a while. Now every time I get a glass of water, I hear it refilling. Does anyone know if this is common, or do I have a problem with the drinking tank?

Thanks for any help!

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I hope it's ok to post about my RO system here. When I first installed it, it worked as it should because the drinking tank would not refill for a while. Now every time I get a glass of water, I hear it refilling. Does anyone know if this is common, or do I have a problem with the drinking tank?

Thanks for any help!

When was the last time you pumped up the reservoir tank? They need to be topped off every now and then. There should be a schrader valve on the bottom of the tank. Google the tank manufacturer for direction on psi requirements

edit. also the diaphragm can blow which would require a new tank but that is fairly rare in my experience

 

[Greg D]

I never have pumped it up because I just installed it 2 or 3 weeks ago. I guess it wouldn't hurt to do that then.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I never have pumped it up because I just installed it 2 or 3 weeks ago. I guess it wouldn't hurt to do that then.

Ah I didn’t know it was new. Mine lasts about eighteen months between charges. What’s your water pressure going into the tank?

edit. if low you may need a permeate pump or booster pump if you don’t have one already

 

[Greg D]

Yeah I should have mentioned it was new. I don't actually have a gauge on the tank, but it's on the RO bladder.

Edit: yes I just confirmed it IS on the RO membrane. It is reading 0? When I installed it, it was reading about 60.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Also it is normal for the tank to refill with use. The volume is deceiving as part of the tank is filled with air on the other side of the diaphragm. You shouldn’t hear It though if it’s under a sink. As long as you get a decent flow out of the faucet that doesn’t reduce to a trickle after one glass is filled you’re good to go. You should be able to fill a one gallon pitcher before it starts to slow down

edit. that’s assuming you have the small one gallon tank versus the larger ones

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

When you hear a tank capacity (e.g., 3.2 gallons), it's a safe assumption that the tank will only store about 50% of that capacity in water. The other half is taken up by the pressurized air bladder.

If in the course of taking a glass of water from your RO faucet you see flow go to a trickle after a few seconds, that typically means the bladder in the tank has gone bad and the tank needs to be replaced.

Russ