Old Kinetico RO, replacing filters

[LisaR]

I bought a house with a Kinetico RO system and softener system. It was probably installed in the early '80s. The RO has 2 blue cylinders (MAC and carbon) on each side and a black RO module in the middle. There is a small blue tank in the basement that stores the water. Also there is a "PURE TEST" monitor plugged into the RO, which is now reading service when I push the button. I had it serviced a year ago and they replaced the filters and membrane. The whole service call cost me $360, so I'd like to replace my own filters this time. The water has gone to a trickle, so I suppose that means it is time. The problem is, how do I know exactly which filter to get? Is there a good place to order them? I don't know the model, but I know the serial # is 10831-T. I know the last MAC filter cost me $45 and the carbon was $9. We use very little drinking water since this house is now our office and not a residence anymore. I would guess, maybe a gallon a week to fill a coffee pot once in a while. So I think that the carbon filter is the problem because it contains a lot of sediment and is well water. I doubt we have gone through 500 gals of drinking water this past year. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

[Gary Slusser]

You would be much better off by buying a new RO for like $200 that is not proprietary so you can buy replacement parts from many local or online dealers.

[LisaR]

OK, but this one is installed and working... just needs a new filter. Why replace it if I can just buy a filter for $30 once a year and I'll be good to go. I just need to know what filter number I need so I can buy it and replace it with the right one.

[Andy CWS]

OK, but this one is installed and working... just needs a new filter. Why replace it if I can just buy a filter for $30 once a year and I'll be good to go. I just need to know what filter number I need so I can buy it and replace it with the right one.

Good point, after all.

Are you on well water or city water? The filters are very easy to change. I can give you some advice how to change those filters.
Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[LisaR]

It's well water. There is a chlorinator on the well, but the feeder is broken. So I have to hand feed pellets into the well to chlorinate it.... that might be worth replacing!

[Andy CWS]

Can you accurately describe the complete system, please? All filters and pieces of equipment.... Is your pump in the ground? Do you have water test results? What size (model) is your softener. Brown tanks on the softener?

I sent a PM, too.
Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[LisaR]

OK. The pump is in the ground, the well head sticks up about 2 ft. There is a non-working pellet feeder chlorinator on the well head, (which is another story). Then in the basement, there is a Kinetico water system (softener) that is working. Then, under the kitchen sink there is a Kinetico RO system. There is no model number that I can find. There is a serial number... 10831-T. It has a black RO module (canister) in the middle and two blue canisters on each side. The MAC (metered automatic cartridge) is on the left, the sediment filter (carbon) is on the right. There is a little blue tank in a cabinet in the basement, right below the kitchen with the tubing running down to it. There is a spigot on the kitchen sink. There is also a little black box with a 9 volt battery inside with a wire that plugs into the tubes between all the canisters. Its says PURE TEST, and has a little red button. It will light up green(good) or red (service). First thing this morning I went to fill up a coffee pot and half way filled, I ran out of water. So I pressed the buttton on the box, and it was red. The water that comes out of all the faucets(unfiltered) do have sediment in it, its a 50 year old house. I see it when I fill a sink. This house is used as an office, so water demand is low. Kinetico came out and serviced the system and replaced the filters and the membrane one year ago. The MAC is supposed to be good for 500 gallons. We have probably used 50 in all that time. I suspect the carbon filter is plugged because of the sediment I see in the water. But I could change them both.
I just looked at the softener. Four canisters. Two tan, two black. Salt container is tan. There is a metal tag on the tan canisters that says Kinetico 2845 in tiny numbers. Don't know if that's a model number.

That's all I can think of.

[Andy CWS]

Great description...very thorough. Wish more were that detailed.

Now, you can change the prefilter (right) on the RO with a generic filter found at local stores. Use a sediment filter not a carbon filter. Pleated filters can be washed and reused with some simple maintenance. Select one with five micons. Since you haven't reached 500 gallons yet, the MAC filter should still be good.

Kinetico offers upgrades to their K5 model! Your dealer didn't mention that? Prices may be drastically reduced for a trade-in. The new K5 are far better in almost every aspect and you will get a ten-year warranty on all parts and membrane because it follows a Kinetico softener, new or used.

When you say two tan and two black tanks are they on top of each other or separate units? This is interesting. Any chance of a picture?

Talk to you soon,
Andy

[Gary Slusser]

OK, but this one is installed and working... just needs a new filter. Why replace it if I can just buy a filter for $30 once a year and I'll be good to go. I just need to know what filter number I need so I can buy it and replace it with the right one.

Actually it isn't working and there is that big word IF.... IF you can find out... IF you can buy the replacement filter and IF that solves the problem. I am not sure replacing that cartridge is going to solve the problem.

Another problem is that proprietary equipment companies don't want that to happen and charge you dearly for their parts and 'service'.

Proving that is that you spent $360 last year and here we are with an RO not working after less than 500 gallons run through it.

The reason for the chlorinator is probably still in the mix and until the water quality is fixed, and the filter part of the Kinetico filter/softener is addressed as to why all the sediment past it to the RO, I think you will continue to have problems with the RO but then I'm just advising you and not trying to sell you something or keep you as a Kinetico customer.

[Andy CWS]

LisaR,

I sent you an email.

Kinetico ROs are geared for 500 gallons, at which they essentially shut off to a trickle. This is normal and time for filter updating. Filters are easy to cahnge with just some minor things to do.

I hope things work out well and let me know if I can help more.

Andy

[poiip]

I am a new member and I have similar situation like the other member.
I bought a house with a Kinetico RO system and softener system. The RO has 2 blue cylinders (MAC and carbon) on each side and a black module in the middle. There is a small blue tank in the kitchen sink water. I'd like to replace my own filters. My model is 521 but it looks more like a Kinetic 518 to me. The previous owner left both a C Shaped Open End Universal Style Water Filter Wrench and (complete round) Slim Line Water Filter Housing Spanner Wrench. I turned off the valve and tried to loosening it, I did not turn in either direction with the wrench. Could anyone give me some suggestion? Which way to turn and which wrench is for the 2 blue cylinders. Thanks for your help in advance!

[Gary Slusser]

Righty tighty, lefty loosey; looking up from underneath.

But first shut off the water AND relieve the water pressure in the filter by opening a faucet and let it drain and then shut it. With an RO you shut off the water at the tank before opening the faucet or you will drain the tank.