Humidifier Float Valve

[superduperwesman]

Bought one of these last night b/c I'd like to start mixing my water in advance. That way I can do a few water changes before having to mix some up again. I can give it lots of time to get up to temp and I can go watch TV while I let a few weeks of water accumulate from the R/O system (once I go pick it up from my old place and install it ahah)

But so far it seems to work great and the price was even better (around $8). Anyone ever have a bad experience with one?

[banditpowdercoat]

You just put it on the RO line? Did you add in the Shutoff valving for the RO unit Inlet? Can't just put a float on the RO outlet because the inlet will still have water pressure and you will be just pushing water out the waste line.

If you turn off the inlet water when it comes full, then that is OK, but as long as you know, without a float shutoff valve, whenever water is supplied to the RO unit, Waste IS being made, regardless if RO is being made or not

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

You just put it on the RO line? Did you add in the Shutoff valving for the RO unit Inlet? Can't just put a float on the RO outlet because the inlet will still have water pressure and you will be just pushing water out the waste line.

I'm confused? Assuming I had no float valve and I was just using the R/O for drinking water... so what happens at the R/O tap on my sink? Am I suppose to shut of the inlet to the R/O system every time I'm not filling a glass of water?

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

If you turn off the inlet water when it comes full, then that is OK, but as long as you know, without a float shutoff valve, whenever water is supplied to the RO unit, Waste IS being made, regardless if RO is being made or not

I have a shut off on the line that I t-ed to the mixing tank just as an extra precaution for the twoish weeks that I'm not making water but again I fail to see how the float switch doesn't simulate pretty standard operation?

[BWI]

just dont trust it 100%... their good for this application but don't leave the house when its in use.


yea i agree with the post above.. do you have a Auto shut off on the RO unit?

[banditpowdercoat]

I have a Kent Float valve mounted 3/4 up in a Rubbermade garbage can. Almost a year now, Never had an issue. We'll turn the RO on when the can is low and leave it for 1-2 days. I don;t think you will have a problem with the Fresh water. How many humidifiers have you heard about flooding? replace the float valve every couple-5 years just to be safe, because the seal will wear out, just like the taps in your home.

Now, using it direct in a sump, possible Salt Creep and such, That's a different story.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

I have a Kent Float valve mounted 3/4 up in a Rubbermade garbage can. Almost a year now, Never had an issue. We'll turn the RO on when the can is low and leave it for 1-2 days. I don;t think you will have a problem with the Fresh water. How many humidifiers have you heard about flooding? replace the float valve every couple-5 years just to be safe, because the seal will wear out, just like the taps in your home.

+1

Now, using it direct in a sump, possible Salt Creep and such, That's a different story.

FWIW I use them in my sumps .. don't really have a problem with salt creep because the freshwater coming out flushes any away. About once a year I'll take them apart and blow out any dust or whatnot.

Only thing is you do not want your RO/DI direct to a float valve, as it will cause excessive wear and ultimately premature failure of the RO membrane. Instead, feed the valve off a bucket reservoir that you only fill once empty.

That's what I do anyhow.

[superduperwesman]

Yeah I have 2 float valves wired to a sprinkler valve for my tank ATO. And I also have the sprinkler valve on a timer so it only has power for 2 min 6 times a day. So It has a fair amount of protection. If the first float fails then I have the second and if it fails too then hopefully full water for 12 min a day won't flood the tank before I notice.

The humidifier float is just for my water changing. Like sphelps said, just a safety mechanism in case I forget that I'm filling the can while watching tv or something. I assumed that they were pretty reliable if they're used in humidifiers but I wasn't sure if maybe humidifiers had another safety mechanism that I was unaware off? And I wasn't sure how often these need replaced / have problems but it doesn't sound like anyone has had any?

[viperfish]

I have a humidifier float valve installed in an 80 gallon Canadian Tire Rain Barrell. It works flawlessly. I get enough water to do changes in all of my tanks at once if I need to. I have no valve and the thing has not failed me in over a year. I do have an auto shut off on my RO/DI system. I currently have my RO/DI supplying water to my 180, 90, 33, 20, and w/c barrell all at once, and all with humidifier float valves. I just fill my w/c barrell at night so i can keep the other resivoirs full for my ATO's.

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by BWI

just dont trust it 100%... their good for this application but don't leave the house when its in use.


yea i agree with the post above.. do you have a Auto shut off on the RO unit?

Yeah, I won't 100% trust in which is why I have the valve as an extra precaution.

But again, I'm not really understanding the RO Auto shut-off?

Once the little R/O pressure tank fills doesn't the unit always shut off?

[superduperwesman]

Oh ok I think I under stand the confusion. I didn't just add it straight to the R/O outlet... I t-ed it into the regular supply line (after the pressure tank)