Questions - Kinetico Plus Deluxe VX

[Andy CWS]

It appears the bladder is bad--water logged. Either the tank or bladder needs to be replaced. Weigh the tank, if it weighs around 30 lbs, then it is shot.

[jglefler]

Hi Andy, I have an older white tank. When I go to fill up a glass of water from the RO tap on the sink, I only get a small amount of water. If I wait a little while, I can get a small amount again. I read earlier threads and decided to check the pressure by looking for the psi on the bottom of the tank, but there is only a small silver "nozzle" type thing and I don't know how to check it for the psi. What do I need to do?

Hi,

I have the same system and have had the same problem twice since the original installation in 1998, (small amount of water, need to wait to get more water, etc.). I found that these tanks are a bit like an auto tire/tube. They tend to loose air pressure over time and the system won't work properly. I have two tanks connected together for greater capacity and they both loose air pressure over time. I loosened and removed the large black "nut" on the top of the tanks after placing them in the bottom of my shower. This will allow you to dump the existing water out of the tanks without making a mess. I then removed and inspected the black rubber bladder in each tank and checked them for any visible holes or tares. I held the opening of the bladder to my mouth and forced air into them to further confirm there were no leaks in the bladder. Once I determined the bladders were still in good shape I reinstalled them into the tanks. Then I put half an ounce of bleach into each bladder and thoroughly rinsed them to disinfect them and reinstalled the large black nut on the top of the tanks. I used a large strap wrench to loosen and tighten the large black nut. The nut must be good and tight. I laid the tank on its side and held it with one hand in a rubber work glove as I tightened the nut with the heavy duty strap wrench. A rubber coated glove will help you get a good grip on the tank as you torque the large plastic nut on. Then I used a digital air gauge that registers low air pressure and pumped 7 pounds of air into each tank. You add the air via the silver air valve on the bottom of the tank. I hooked them up and it works great now. Before the repair I got 2/3 of a glass of water and the water would stop for several minutes before it would deliver another 2/3 glass or so. Now I can fill four glasses quickly and there is still good pressure. I haven't emptied the system since I repaired it but suspect that it would deliver a gallon or more before it stopped now.

My Kinetico dealer estimated a new bladder at $30 some dollars. Even if you need to replace your tank bladder it will be cheaper than the $149 a new tank would cost. I hope this will help someone with the same problem.

FYI: Water goes into the rubber bladder and air pressure goes into the white tank and surrounds the bladder as it pushes water out.

[glgeek]

greetings,

is the water tank charged with air with the valve of the tank opened or closed?

i only get air out of the faucet after charging and hooking it all back up.

TIA
geek

[jglefler]

greetings,

is the water tank charged with air with the valve of the tank opened or closed?

i only get air out of the faucet after charging and hooking it all back up.

TIA
geek

I put 7 pounds of air in each of my two tanks with the plastic gate valve on each tank closed and the bladders were empty of water. I then installed the water line into the tanks by pushing it into the quick-release fittings on the top of the valves. I then opened the valves, turned the water supply to the RO system on and... Yea. I am still getting EXCELLENT production from the RO weeks later and it hasn't gone dry since I repaired it as described in my post on 2-7-2010. Good luck.

[glgeek]

I put 7 pounds of air in each of my two tanks with the plastic gate valve on each tank closed and the bladders were empty of water. I then installed the water line into the tanks by pushing it into the quick-release fittings on the top of the valves. I then opened the valves, turned the water supply to the RO system on and... Yea. I am still getting EXCELLENT production from the RO weeks later and it hasn't gone dry since I repaired it as described in my post on 2-7-2010. Good luck.

thank you, this is what i did.

had to wait a bit, it did fill. running good now

geek

[Andy CWS]

It's great when solutions are simple and successful.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Investar666]

1 gal QuickFlow tank chronic problem

I have the Kinetico Plus VX Deluxe RO sys with 1 gallon QuickFlow tank purchased 4/2005 and it has chronic issues. How do you actually add air to the tank? Mine has a black cap at the bottom that is impossible to remove. It constantly loses pressure. I even had the middle filter membrane replaced and head rebuilt. Still loses pressure. This thing is drivng me crazy. Anyone......please help.

[Andy CWS]

Are you sure you have a 'one-gallon' tank?

There are no air valves because it contains no air. It works off your household water pressure.

I suppose it worked fine before the filter change, right. You may have gotten an air lock in it. But moreover, that model has had some problems with the modulator in the top of the tank. It can be replaced and likely is still under warranty (7 years).

You say 'head rebuilt'. Is that in the RO or the tank.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Investar666]

Kinetico RO VX Deluxe

I had the 8954C and retrofit head rebuild on the tank and the middle filter in the RO replaced. It is the 1 gall tank (see pic). Also have Mach 2030s, 18x35 brine drum, neutralizer 13x54, and VX deluxe. Use 9309A sediment and 9306B odor filters. Any advice on any of this appreciated. 203-496-0544 is fine too for call. Strange thing is that my father-in-law who has the same set-up said to let about 1.5 gallons come out to purge the system and all the air afterwards. If I leave the RO faucet on.....water will come out until you shut the faucet off. I am not able to empty this tank by leaving it on. It makes water as fast as it flows out. I am not sure if this is supposed to happen. Any advice is greatly appreciately. I am still under a Parts warranty but the labor is not included. I called for a Wednesday service visit and the cost.......$160. Want to avoid that if I can. Again, the system has been used for 5 years.

Cheers,
Dan

[Andy CWS]

I had the 8954C and retrofit head rebuild on the tank and the middle filter in the RO replaced. It is the 1 gall tank (see pic). Also have Mach 2030s, 18x35 brine drum, neutralizer 13x54, and VX deluxe. Use 9309A sediment and 9306B odor filters. Any advice on any of this appreciated. 203-496-0544 is fine too for call. Strange thing is that my father-in-law who has the same set-up said to let about 1.5 gallons come out to purge the system and all the air afterwards. If I leave the RO faucet on.....water will come out until you shut the faucet off. I am not able to empty this tank by leaving it on. It makes water as fast as it flows out. I am not sure if this is supposed to happen. Any advice is greatly appreciately. I am still under a Parts warranty but the labor is not included. I called for a Wednesday service visit and the cost.......$160. Want to avoid that if I can. Again, the system has been used for 5 years.

Cheers,
Dan

Kinetico has realized this shortcoming which started to appear around 5-7 years after it came out. Some dealers have replaced them at no charge other have had a service charge. It can be eliminated by replacing the tank with an air-charged styloe type. You will get less water and dropping pressure as the tanks empties, as standard ROs can.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II