Has anybody tested this system with a TDS meter? That is the only way to really know how good of a job it is doing. If the reading is 20 or less, then it is comparable to an RO filter. If it's much higher than 20, don't waste your money.
192690
Yes I did test this system with the TDS meter and was very disappointed. The readings were exactly the same as what came out of the tap. I called Brondell and they informed me that was how it's supposed to be. Their system is apparently designed to only remove the bad taste...not the dissolved solids...well in my case it did neither. The water still tasted bad and the TDS reading was just as high as the tap. Our water is so bad here, typical readings from 450-800+ so it may just be that filters don't work here. I gave up on filters after trying many and ordered delivered water from Culligan.
662904
If / when you notice a significant reduction in water production, you should change the pre-filters and if production does not return to prier levels, then replace the membrane. A good thing to monitor the effectiveness of the system is a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter. TDS meters read in Um ohs. Pure water is not a good conductor of electricity, so as the specific constance of the water increases it indicates an increased level or residual of dissolved material in the water. A good membrane should last for 3-5 years or even longer. The volume of throughput has little to do with membrane life if the pre-filtration stages are well maintained! If / when you notice a significant reduction in water production, you should change the pre-filters and if production does not return to prier levels, then replace the membrane. A good thing to monitor the effectiveness of the system is a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter. TDS meters read in Um ohs. Pure water is not a good conductor of electricity, so as the specific constance of the water increases it indicates an increased level or residual of dissolved material in the water. A good membrane should last for 3-5 years or even longer. The volume of throughput has little to do with... » Read More If / when you notice a significant reduction in water production, you should change the pre-filters and if production does not return to prier levels, then replace the membrane. A good thing to monitor the effectiveness of the system is a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter. TDS meters read in Um ohs. Pure water is not a good conductor of electricity, so as the specific constance of the water increases it indicates an increased level or residual of dissolved material in the water. A good membrane should last for 3-5 years or even longer. The volume of throughput has little to do with membrane life if the pre-filtration stages are well maintained! « Show Less
1806913
I don't have any answer for this. But I am also using another product - ZeroWater Pitcher. The ZeroWater Pitcher comes with a water quality measurement meter - TDS meter. Water from ZeroWater Pitcher do change the TDS reading to "0". My only problem with ZeroWater Pitcher is the water taste a bit plastic (much better after I soaked it in hot water with baking powder over night).
471249
I used a short term test like the one from First Alert to validate the readings in my basement and it came out accurate. Make sure that you carefully place the unit because placement can effect the readings. 25 is pretty high but certainly in the range of possible - don't ignore it !
1134552
We have used our Rainwave Flow Meter for almost a year to measure the amount of water we add to the tanks on our RV. Before using it, we checked the accuracy several times by filling 1 and 5 gallon buckets. The Meter was only off by a minuscule amount. After several uses, we checked the accuracy again, and it was pretty much the same as the initial testing. I would say that you could definitely use it to measure it from the faucet, but I have no idea how long it will remain accurate with the amount of water you will be sending through it while pressure washing. It's worth a try for $17.00. If it fails after awhile, you may require something a bit more durable. We have used our Rainwave Flow Meter for almost a year to measure the amount of water we add to the tanks on our RV. Before using it, we checked the accuracy several times by filling 1 and 5 gallon buckets. The Meter was only off by a minuscule amount. After several uses, we checked the accuracy again, and it was pretty much the same as the initial testing. I would say that you could definitely use it to measure it from the faucet, but I have no idea how long it will remain accurate with the amount of water you will be sending through it while pressure washing. It's worth a try for $17.00.... » Read More We have used our Rainwave Flow Meter for almost a year to measure the amount of water we add to the tanks on our RV. Before using it, we checked the accuracy several times by filling 1 and 5 gallon buckets. The Meter was only off by a minuscule amount. After several uses, we checked the accuracy again, and it was pretty much the same as the initial testing. I would say that you could definitely use it to measure it from the faucet, but I have no idea how long it will remain accurate with the amount of water you will be sending through it while pressure washing. It's worth a try for $17.00. If it fails after awhile, you may require something a bit more durable. « Show Less
2005124
Vic, unfortunately, I have membranes and tubing all over my house, thus I have not completed testing. I have every confidence though that this system will work well. The membrane removes 98% of TDS, but the DI cartridge life is purely a function of the supply water.
1387973
The TDS of my tap water is 430ppm; all those minerals would surely shorten the lifespan and effectiveness of this unit. Hence I use RO water [I have a unit which I normally use for my aquariums] which has a TDS of below 10ppm. You can buy distilled water although not sure how costly that is in the longrun.
2022136
I get a different reading from every gauge I use. . .TD seems consistent between tires, though. Maybe battery?
1851520
Given your results I suspect you are using pH paper or test strips which can be off by a full point or more when testing RO water because the water is so pure. I suggest you get a good digital pH meter to test the water's pH. Remember to test the water in a way that represents normal use. A brand new system will test more acidic than a system that has broken in and is fully pressurized. Using a TDS meter is an indirect way to infer that the system working correctly. Test the water as it leaves the RO membrane and at the RO faucet, and then compare those to the tap water. Remember, the system adds calcium and magnesium minerals which both increase the pH, and increase the TDS. Given your results I suspect you are using pH paper or test strips which can be off by a full point or more when testing RO water because the water is so pure. I suggest you get a good digital pH meter to test the water's pH. Remember to test the water in a way that represents normal use. A brand new system will test more acidic than a system that has broken in and is fully pressurized. Using a TDS meter is an indirect way to infer that the system working correctly. Test the water as it leaves the RO membrane and at the RO faucet, and then compare those to the tap water. Remember, the... » Read More Given your results I suspect you are using pH paper or test strips which can be off by a full point or more when testing RO water because the water is so pure. I suggest you get a good digital pH meter to test the water's pH. Remember to test the water in a way that represents normal use. A brand new system will test more acidic than a system that has broken in and is fully pressurized. Using a TDS meter is an indirect way to infer that the system working correctly. Test the water as it leaves the RO membrane and at the RO faucet, and then compare those to the tap water. Remember, the system adds calcium and magnesium minerals which both increase the pH, and increase the TDS. « Show Less
1162785
I don't know. All it matters to me is that it works. I tried two others before this. I test the water with water quality tester it showed around 24. You can contact the manufacturer for technical questions
1693724
it is my opinion that your R/O membrane is not working properly. I have only used Watts (Phoenix) filters in the past, and when my system was new, it reduced TDS by 92% or more. After many years, I replaced the membrane with a new 75GPD filter, and my rejection ration was 94%. I expect this new filter to last at least 10 years, but it cost $115.00. It would appear to me you got what you paid for, and the results seem to be very poor.
1703995
This unit is pretty innacurate. It will give different readings (upto 30mb) if you don't position it exactly the same way each time, and will also give inconsistent readings (upto 15mb) if you takes consecutive readings without adjusting it at all.
1063406
Since salt is TDS and it brings TDS's to zero I would say yes. But after living with the system I would say get a RO. Zero water was the most expensive water system I used. I got 5 gallons only from each filter, and they only last for 9 days regardless of water cleaned before the water start smelling like rotten fish I went with a good 5 stage RO and very happy with it.
2052305
I just tested it with my meter and with a Brita filter in it ....The TDS....it came out 77PPM
1750949
The meter only has a guage that reads, 0 to 2000 on top and 1 to 10 on the bottom of the line...I only paid less than $4.00 for the meter including shipping from China... It has saved me from over watering. The meter seems to be working ok but I don't know how accurate it is... For a cost of less than $5.00 it can't be too percise...
1162429
I've been using the filter for about 4 months collecting water for my fish tank and probably generate 25-40 gallons of water a week. I first checked it with a TDS meter when I purchased it and there was practically no hardness (reading 3-5ppm TDS). I've since tested and have obtained the same reading, so the membrane is lasting a while even with moderate use.
1144531
This meter just reads the in and out TDS numbers, which is kind of a guideline as to when you need to change filters.