Need Special RO widget

Any sort of widget out there that'd allow me to fill a bladder tank for an RO unit and then after that is full, dump the rest of the RO water into another container (actually large barrel for using in the aquarium)? I'd like to use the RO water from the bladder tank for drinking.

Thanks
Jason

Only a pressure controlled solenoid valve comes to mind. And you'd have to have an air gap and check valve on the tubing to the atmospheric tank with the solenoid valve also controlled by a float switch.

Personally, I'd run the water for the fishes anytime I wasn't wanting drinking water for the next few hours. Like on my way to bed at night etc..

Gary
Quality Water Associates

ro

Not likely since all the new units shut off when the tank is full. You might invest in a larger tank.

hj, I wouldn't do it but it is doable...especially because of the ASO valve on most if not all ROs today.

The solenoid would open the open discharge line to the atmospheric tank which will automatically turn on the RO to fill the tank, and the float switch in that tank will only allow that when the tank requires water AND the pressure switch on the RO tank allows power to that solenoid or float switch; either would work. Additionally he needs is a check valve in the line to his RO tank so the RO tank doesn't empty into the atmospheric tank.

Gary
Quality Water Associates

Back Pressure Regulator

I like Gary's solution.

An air gap at the barrel (discharge tubing ends 6" above the overflow level of the barrel) should solve your back flow problem. Set a pump-type pressure switch a little below the shutoff pressure of your RO system and a normally closed (closed when hanging low) float switch in series to operate the solenoid valve.

If you can get into your RO system controls you might be able to use the shutoff control on the RO system instead of the pressure switch. Look for a control relay with an unused contact that is closed when the pump is not running. Otherwise, connect your own relay to the pump wiring so that it will operate the solenoid valve when the pump is off.

The logic would be: When the RO is not pumping AND the barrel is not full, open the solenoid valve. When the pressure in the storage tank drops low enough to start the RO system it will close the solenoid valve.

BobNH, he wants the tank to fill when the RO has finished filling its tank and shuts off. So the solenoid is normally closed. We have little pressure switchs for ROs and one could be used to close when the RO tank is filled allowing power to open the solenoid valve IF the atmospheric tank is not full. The float switch would control the power to the solenoid and say when the tank is full or needing water. All he would have to do is add a tee in the line from the RO to its tank and faucet and run the line to the atmospheric tank as you say with the air gap. And add a check valve between his new tee and the RO tank and the tee to the faucet so when the solenoid opens, the RO tank doesn't fill the other tank. When the solenoid opens the ASO (auto shut off) valve on the RO will see the drop in pressure and on goes the RO.

Personally I wouldnt go to the trouble and expense.

Gary
Quality Water Associates