SQC Series
Owner's Manual
This Manual is for the Installation, Operation,
and Maintenance of the
WATER FACTORY SYSTEMS®
SQC Series
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Drinking Water Appliance
© 2001 CUNO Incorporated
98-880040 1101
I. Installation Instructions
A. DETERMINE THE APPLIANCE LOCATIONS
B. PREPARE THE AREA FOR INSTALLATION
The appliance can be located under a sink or in a base-
ment depending on space availability and the customer's pref-
erence. If a basement installation is selected, additional tub-
ing, hardware and fittings may be needed and a hole will have
to be made from inside the cabinet, through the floor, to the
basement. Never install it in an area of the home where the
temperature may drop to freezing, because damage to the
appliance may occur.
Remove supplies from under the sink and stack them
neatly away from the working area. Arrange a light for the work
area, if necessary.
If a basement installation is called for, determine where the
components will be located and how they will be mounted.
Special mounting brackets and hardware may be necessary to
secure the appliance to a wall or ceiling joists.
Inspect the cold water supply line and determine if any
special fittings, in addition to what is included in the kit, are
required.
NOTE: It is a good idea at this time to check the condition of
the undercounter plumbing for any existing or potential leaks.
Make sure to perform any necessary repairs prior to the instal-
lation of the drinking water device.
The exact placement of the various components of the
appliance will vary from installation to installation. The
installer, in conjunction with the customer, must decide on
where to place the faucet, tank and purification assembly by
balancing the homeowner's convenience with ease of installa-
tion and servicing. (See Fig. 1 & 7)
Considerations for an icemaker or other remote hookup
should be predetermined, including routing and any additional
tools, fittings, and tubing that may be required.
1/4” Green Tubing
Red SFC Tubing
Storage Tank
Valve
3/8” Blue Tubing
1/4” Orange
3/8” Yellow
Tubing
Tubing
Feedwater
Tapping
Valve
Storage Tank
Drain Saddle
Sink Drain
3/8” Black
Tubing
Purification
Assembly
Fig. 1
3
Procedure:
C. PREPARE THE APPLIANCE FOR
1) Center punch a small indent at the center of
INSTALLATION
the desired faucet location.
2) Slowly drill the required pilot hole for the
chassis punch.
3) Set up the chassis punch per the instructions and
tighten the nut to cut the desired hole size.
4) Clean up all sharp edges with a file if necessary.
Open the shipping carton and remove the components.
Check to see that all of the installation parts are present. They
should include the purification assembly, storage tank, faucet,
installation hardware, RO membrane cartridge and tubing.
Check to see that the air supply in the empty tank is approxi-
mately 7 psi (48 kPa). Adjust it if necessary. If an optional
percent rejection monitor is selected, the probes should be
installed at this time. Follow the instruction that came with the
monitor. To ensure you the highest level of purity, the RO
membrane cartridge has been shipped separately in a sealed
plastic bag. Follow the steps below to install the RO mem-
brane cartridge.
Porcelain/Enamel/Ceramic sink on sheet metal or cast iron
base; air gap or non air gap faucet.
Recommended tools:
•
•
Variable speed drill
Relton 7/8" porcelain cutter tool set (alternate
9/16" porcelain bit may be used for a non-air
gap faucet)
STEP 1: Cut open the sealed plastic bag and remove the RO
membrane cartridge.
STEP 2: Remove the white plug from the fitting at the bottom
of the cartridge by pushing in the small gray collet and pulling
out the plug simultaneously (see Figure 6).
•
Plumber's putty
It is important to understand what is involved in this proce-
dure. First, the glassy layer of porcelain must be penetrated
through to the base metal. Second, a center disc of porcelain
must be removed while protecting the surrounding porcelain
against chipping or fracturing. Third, the base metal must be
drilled through to complete the hole.
STEP 3: Connect the red SFC reject tubing by inserting the
open end into the fitting at the bottom of the RO membrane
cartridge as far as it will go. Take note of the tag attached to
the SFC tube which indicates the outlet end.
STEP 4: Remove the red plastic cap from the top of the car-
tridge.
STEP 5: Line up the cartridge ears (Fig. 10), insert the car-
tridge and push it into the head until it is fully seated. Twist the
cartridge 1/4 turn counterclockwise to lock it into place. The
final orientation should be such that the cartridge label faces
towards the front and the fitting is located towards the rear.
Procedure:
1) Mark the center for the 7/8" hole.
2) Form a shallow putty dam around the hole area and fill it
with enough water to lubricate the carbide drill bit.
3) Carefully drill a pilot hole through the porcelain/enamel and
the base metal using a carbide type pilot drill.
Important: Always operate the drill with light pressure at
a slow speed (300-400 rpm).
4) Insert the pilot tip of the spring-loaded porcelain cutter into
the pilot hole.
5) Drill the porcelain/enamel using the spring-loaded porcelain
cutter, making certain a complete ring has been cut through
the porcelain/enamel to the metal base.
6) Change to the metal cutter. With a slow speed and light
pressure, cut away the inner porcelain/enamel disc down
to the base metal. Make certain that the cutter does not
touch the outer rim of the cut porcelain/enamel. Continue
with this bit to cut completely through the metal.
D. MAKE THE FAUCET MOUNTING HOLE
A wide variety of RO faucet mounting situations may be
encountered. The most common are stainless steel or ceramic
on metal sinks. Consult your dealer for any other materials
which may be encountered.
The faucet should be positioned so that it empties into the
sink and the spout swivels freely for convenience.
If the sink already has a hole provided that can accommo-
date the RO faucet, then no drilling is required.
NOTE: If desired, sprayers can be disconnected to provide a
suitable mounting hole for the RO faucet. A pipe cap or plug
will be required to seal the sprayer connection.
IMPORTANT: It is mandatory that safety glasses by worn dur-
ing the sink hole drilling operations in order to prevent eye injury.
IMPORTANT: When using a porcelain cutter it is critical
that it is always in a sharpened condition. Dull cutters are
known to chip sinks.
Before drilling the hole, always check underneath the sink to
ensure that nothing will interfere with mounting the faucet such as
reinforcing ribs, support brackets or the cabinet construction.
Stainless steel sink, air gap or non-air gap faucet.
Recommended tools:
•
•
•
Center punch
Variable speed drill and high speed drill bits
Greenlee 7/8" chassis punch (alternate 9/16"
may be used for a non-air gap faucet)
Protective gloves
•
4
3) Connect the 1/4" green tubing supplied in the installation
kit to the smaller barb on the air gap faucet. Push it on
firmly until it seats.
4) Connect the 3/8" black tubing to the larger barb on the air
gap faucet. Push it on firmly until it seats.
E. MOUNT THE FAUCET
Undercounter installations generally require that the
faucet's built-in air gap be used. In basement installations, the
built-in air gap does not have to be used if one is provided
elsewhere on the drain line.
5) From above the sink counter-top, feed the air gap tubing
and the threaded nipple through the faucet mounting hole
and position the faucet spout over the sink.
For Basement Installations Without An Air Gap Module
See Installation Instructions O.
6) From below the sink/countertop, install the white spacer
(open side toward the air gap tubing), flat washer and hex
nut onto the threaded nipple and tighten it by hand.
7) Back off on the hex nut just enough to slide the slotted
washer (open side toward the air gap tubes) between the
white spacer and the underside of the sink/countertop.
8) After rechecking the faucet orientation, tighten the hex nut
with a 9/16" wrench until the faucet feels secure.
9) From above the sink, make any minor orientation corrections
by turning the faucet on its flats with a padded adjustable
wrench. Use care so as not to mar the chrome finish.
IMPORTANT: The Uniform Plumbing Code dictates that there
must be an air gap between the RO reject line and the waste
drain. An optional non-air gap faucet, which requires a smaller
9/16" mounting hole, is available to make basement installa-
tions easier.
Undercounter Installation With An Air Gap Faucet:
1) Familiarize yourself with all of the components shown in
the air gap faucet diagram. (See Fig. 2)
2) Remove the hardware from the threaded nipple of the
faucet, except for the chrome base plate and the rubber
washer. The rubber washer may be replaced with a bead of
plumber's putty for a neater appearance.
Faucet with Air Gap
Faucet without Air Gap
Side View
Side View
Back View
Air Gap hole
Chrome base plate
Rubber washer
Chrome base plate
Rubber washer
C.L.
Slotted washer
Spacer
1/4” Standard
green tubing
Plastic bottom washer
Flat washer
Special red “SFC”
tube from RO
Threaded nipple
Flat washer
Threaded nipple
Hex nut
Star washer
Hex nut
Black 3/8” Reject
tubing to drain
Blue 3/8” Product
water tubing
Blue 3/8” Product
water tubing
Blue 3/8” Product
water tubing
Fig. 2
5
IMPORTANT: Some local plumbing codes may prohibit
the use of saddle-type valves and/or drain connections.
States prohibiting the use of saddle valves are Alaska,
Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, and
South Dakota. Check your local plumbing codes for any
restrictions that apply. Massachusetts CMR 248 strictly
prohibits the use of saddle-type valves. The feed water
connection must conform to applicable plumbing codes.
F. INSTALL THE FEED WATER TAPPING VALVE
AND TUBING
The feed water tapping valve which is supplied, is
designed to be used on 3/8" to 1/2" OD soft copper tubing
(plain or chromed) and rigid metal pipe. Do not use it on flexi-
ble ribbed tubing, because it has too thin a wall thickness and
it requires special hardware.
Soft Copper Tubing Installation:
1) Close the cold water supply valve under the sink, or the
Rigid Metal Pipe Installation:
1) Close the cold water supply valve and drain the line to
main valve for the house.
2) Before installing the feed water tapping valve, make sure
that the piercing lance does not protrude beyond the rubber
gasket. (See Fig. 3)
3) Assemble both halves of the feed water tapping valve onto
the copper tubing.
prevent spillage.
2) Drill a 3/16" diameter hole at the desired location on the
pipe. To prevent any electrical shock hazard, use a
battery operated drill.
3) Turn the feed water tapping valve handle clockwise to
expose the piercing lance beyond the rubber gasket no
more than 3/16". (See Fig. 3)
4) Assemble the feed water tapping valve on the pipe by
inserting the piercing lance into the drilled hole and
tightening the two halves together. Use the "V" side of the
bracket. Tighten the screws evenly and firmly, keeping the
two sides of the bracket parallel.
5) Turn the feed water tapping valve handle clockwise to
close the valve. With a wrench, tighten the nut/seal
around the valve handle stem.
4) For 3/8" OD tubing, use the side of the bracket with the
projections to prevent distortion of the tubing. Use the "V"
side of bracket for all larger size tubing. Tighten the
screws evenly and firmly. The brackets should be parallel.
Do not deform the tubing. (See Fig. 3)
5) To pierce the soft copper tubing, turn the handle clockwise
until it is firmly seated. The valve is closed in this position.
With a wrench, tighten the nut/seal around the valve
handle stem. Open the cold water supply valve.
6) Remove the cover from the appliance and disconnect the
orange 1/4" tubing from the feed water fitting. (See Fig. 6)
7) Connect one end of the orange tubing to the feed water
tapping valve using the brass compression nut, insert in
plastic sleeve. (See Fig. 3)
6) Remove the cover from the appliance and disconnect the
orange 1/4" tubing from the feed water fitting. (See Fig. 6)
7) Connect one end of the orange tubing to the feed water
tapping valve using the brass compression nut, insert, and
plastic sleeve. (See Fig. 3)
NOTE: For basement installations, the existing orange feed
water tubing may have to be longer to reach the feed water
tapping valve.
NOTE: For basement installations, the existing orange feed
water tubing may have to be longer to reach the feed water
tapping valve.
Valve Handle Stem
Nut/Seal
Piercing Lance
Insert
Plastic Sleeve
Compression Nut
1/4" Orange Feedwater Tubing
For 3/8" OD tubing, use the side of
the bracket with the projections.
For 7/16" to 1/2" OD tubing or rigid pipe,
use the "V" side of the bracket.
Fig. 3
6
G. PREFILL AND SANITIZE THE STORAGE TANK
The drain saddle should always be installed above (before) the
trap and on the vertical or horizontal tailpiece. Never install the
drain saddle close to the outlet of a garbage disposal because
plugging of the RO drain line may occur. (See Fig. 4)
Prefilling the storage tank is always recommended so that
there is pressure to check for leaks as well as sufficient water to
flush the carbon postfilter. The SQC RO Drinking Water
Appliance is furnished with a container of special sanitizing gran-
ules. It is important to use a sanitizer when prefilling the tank.
1) Thread the taped 3/8" x 1/4" tank fitting into the tank valve.
Do not over tighten. Open the tank valve so that the tank
valve handle is parallel to the valve body. Locate the
enclosed container of sanitizing granules, open it and pour the
contents into the end of the tank valve.
2) Disconnect the 3/8" yellow tubing from the back of the
purification assembly and connect one end of it into the tube
fitting located on the tank valve.
3) Connect the other end of the 3/8" yellow tubing to the 3/8"
x 1/4" union connector included in the tank sanitization kit.
4) Connect the free end of the 1/4" orange feed water tubing
to the other end of the 3/8" x 1/4" union connector.
5) Open the feed water tapping valve (making sure the tank
valve is still open) and allow the tank to fill (about 3 minutes).
6) Close the feed water tapping valve and the tank valve.
Disconnect the 3/8" yellow tubing from the tank valve elbow
fitting and set the tank aside while proceeding with the rest of
the installation (the sanitizatizing solution should be kept in the
tank for at least 15 minutes).
MOUNT
HERE
NEVER
MOUNT
HERE
Fig. 4
1) Position the threaded half of the drain saddle at the
selected location and mark the pipe through the threaded
opening.
2) Drill a 1/4" hole at the marked location through one side of
the drain tailpiece.
NOTE: If you encounter difficulty in removing the tubing from
the tank, make sure the tank valve is closed and then cut the
yellow tubing approximately 1" away from the tank valve fitting to
relieve the pressure. Remove the 1" piece from the tank fitting.
3) Position both halves of the drain saddle on the drain pipe
so that the threaded opening is lined up with the hole in
the drain pipe.
4) Use the screws and nuts to clamp the drain saddle onto
the drain pipe. Make sure that there is equal space
between saddle halves on each side. Do not overtighten.
(See Fig. 5)
NOTE: If an alternate storage tank is used, it should be sani-
tized with household bleach (5-1/4%). Use 3 ml. (1/2 tea-
spoon) of bleach for a 2.5 gallon tank.
7) Reconnect the 3/8" yellow tubing to the back of the
purification assembly. Reconnect the 1/4" orange tubing to
the feed water fitting on the purification assembly.
5) Orient the elbow in the direction of the RO faucet location.
Drain Saddle
Elbow
IMPORTANT: After the installation is complete, it is recom-
mended that the 3/8" x 1/4" union connector be saved for
future use in tank sanitization.
Drain Saddle
Halves
Screw
H. INSTALL THE DRAIN CONNECTION
IMPORTANT: Before starting this procedure, inspect the con-
dition of the drain piping, especially in older homes where the
traps and tailpieces can be deceptively thin and frail. If they
are in poor condition, it is wise to inform the customer that the
condition should be remedied.
IMPORTANT:
Hole should be located on
top of the pipe if drain saddle
is positioned horizontally.
IMPORTANT: Some local plumbing codes may prohibit
the use of saddle-type valves and/or drain connections.
The use of saddle-type valves are prohibited in Alaska,
Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, and
South Dakota. Check your local plumbing codes for any
restrictions that apply. Massachusetts CMR 248 strictly
prohibits the use of saddle-type valves. The feed water
connection must conform to applicable plumbing codes.
Nut
Vertical Position
Horizontal Position
Fig. 5
Undercounter Installation:
The drain saddle assembly is designed to fit around a
standard 1-1/2" OD drain pipe. For smaller (lavatory type) or
larger (ABS pipe) drains, consult your dealer for special drain
saddles.
7
5) Connect the 3/8” yellow tubing from the purification
assembly to the tank.
I. INSTALL THE PURIFICATION ASSEMBLY AND
STORAGE TANK
6) Route the special red SFC tubing toward the faucet. Do
not cut this special SFC tubing. It’s length is important
to maintain proper efficiency and performance.
7) Cut the 1/4” green tubing from the faucet air gap to the
proper length and connect it to the1/4” connector fitting on
the end of the SFC tubing.
For Basement Installation See Installation Instructions O.
Undercounter Installation:
The purification assembly is usually mounted to the right or
the left side wall inside of the sink cabinet, taking into consider-
ation the space available and the tank location. Generally, the
storage tank is placed in the rear of the sink cabinet while the
purification assembly is positioned toward the front for filter
cartridge accessibility.
K. INSTALL THE ICEMAKER HOOKUP (optional)
The RO drinking water appliance can be connected to any
To mount the purification assembly, elevate it at least 2" (5 standard refrigerator icemaker or icemaker/water dispenser. It
cm) off of the cabinet floor and, while keeping it level, mark the
location of the mounting holes on the cabinet side wall. Make
small pilot holes with an awl or a drill and screw in the two
mounting screws; leaving just enough protruding to allow the
bracket mounting slots to slide over them.
NOTE: If the cabinet side walls are not of solid construction,
the purification assembly can be set on the cabinet floor and
held against the side wall with the mounting screws. However,
the purification assembly will then need to be lifted from the
mounting screws in order to remove the filter cartridges.
should never be connected to a commercial type bar icemaker.
Hooking up an icemaker involves connecting a tee with a
shut off valve into the 3/8" blue faucet tubing and routing the
tubing over to the refrigerator. Hooking up to existing copper
unit is generally not recommended unless it is less than six
months old. If copper tubing must be used, then the installa-
tion of a small in-line carbon filter at the refrigerator connection
is recommended.
Before turning off the existing tap water supply to the refrig-
erator icemaker, always shut off the icemaker first (usually by lift-
ing the lever arm above the bin to the uppermost position).
The icemaker should only be turned on again after the RO
system has been drained several times and the storage tank
The storage tank may be oriented either vertically or horizon-
tally. It is generally placed to the rear of the cabinet but can be has a full supply of water.
set in the front center (between the sink basins) for ease of
access if space permits. For horizontal positioning, carefully
detach the tank base from the tank bottom and use it as a cra-
dle.
NOTE: Contact your dealer for the availability of special
icemaker hookup kits.
IMPORTANT: Before any service is performed on the RO
appliance, always turn off the icemaker valve and the ice-
maker unit. Only turn them on when the system is operat-
ing and the tank is full.
J. MAKE THE TUBING CONNECTIONS
With all of the components in place, the tubing connections
can be made. When routing the tubing between the compo-
nents, several guidelines should be observed.
L. START UP THE APPLIANCE
•
•
•
Tubing runs should generally follow the contour of the
cabinet rather than interfere with the cabinet storage area.
Strive for a neat and orderly tubing “flow” by using
fasteners (e.g. insulated staples) to secure the tubing.
Arrange the tubing so that there are no sharp bends.
Leave some “play” in the tubing for ease of servicing, then
cut the tubing to the desired length.
1) Double check to see that all of the connections are secure.
2) Open the feed water tapping valve and check the
appliance for leaks. If any leaks are detected, close the
valve and correct the problem before proceeding.
NOTE: If a leak occurs at a "Push In" plastic fitting, then refer
to Fig. 6.
•
Try to keep the tubing from the purification assembly to the
tank and faucet as short as practical for good flow.
3) Open the storage tank valve and lift the faucet handle until
a steady stream of water flows. Close the faucet, wait at
least 5 minutes and carefully check for leaks. Correct
them as necessary.
For Basement Installation See Installation Instructions O.
Undercounter Installation:
The appliance will have the 3/8” yellow, 3/8” blue and the
special red SFC tubing already connected to the purification
assembly.
1) The 1/4” orange tubing should already have been
connected to the feedwater tapping valve. Route the other
end through the large opening in the bottom of the metal
bracket and loop it back to the “Feed” connection on the
purification assembly.
NOTE: When the appliance is first turned on, water may inter-
mittently "spurt" from the air gap opening at the side of the
faucet. This is perfectly normal, and is caused by air trapped in
the system. This will usually disappear within a short time.
2) Attach the 1/4” x 3/8” union to 1/4” blue tubing on faucet.
3) Connect the 3/8” blue tubing from the purification
assembly to the other end of 3/8” x 1/4” union.
4) Route the 3/8” black tubing from the faucet air gap to the
drain saddle so that it slopes continuously downward
without any loops or low spots. Cut the tubing to the
proper length and connect it to the drain saddle elbow.
8
This product is outfitted with user friendly ‘Push In’ connectors. Proper use of the
connectors is shown in the diagrams.
‘Push-In’ Tubing Connector
It is most important that the tubing selected for use with these connectors be of
high quality, exact size and roundness, and with no surface nicks or scratches. If it is
necessary to cut the tubing, use a plastic tubing cutter or sharp razor knife. Make a
clean square cut.
Should a leak occur at a ‘Push-In’ connector, the cause is usually defective tubing.
To Fix:
•
Relieve pressure
• Release tubing
• Cut off at least 1/4” from end.
• Reattach tubing
• Confirm connection is leak free.
To Attach Tubing
To Release Tubing
1
O-Ring
1
2
2
Tube
Grey Collet
Push in grey collet to release tubing.
Push tubing straight in as far as it will go. Tubing is secured in.
Pull tubing straight out.
Fig. 6
NOTE: If an optional percent rejection (PR) monitor is used
and the red light is on, service is required. Several tankfuls of
water may have to be used to completely flush the excess TDS
from the new carbon postfilter before a green light will show.
M. FLUSH THE APPLIANCE OF THE PRESERVATIVE
AND CHECK THE OPERATION
1) With the tank valve closed (the tank should still contain the
sanitizing solution at this point), open the faucet (set the
faucet handle in the "up" position) and feed water valve.
Water should begin to drip from the faucet within several
minutes. Continue to flush the system for 1 hour. Water
will steadily drip from the faucet at this time. During this
procedure, the tank is being intentionally bypassed in
order to thoroughly sanitize the tank and also flush the
membrane of any preservatives.
N. CLEAN UP AND PAPERWORK
1) Clean up the work area thoroughly.
2) Fill out the warranty card and return it.
For replacement parts and filters, please contact your dealer or
call Water Factory Systems at 1-800-733-1199 or visit our
2) After flushing for 1 hour, shut off the faucet. Open the tank
valve, lift the faucet handle again and allow the tank to
completely empty. When the tank is empty, the faucet will
drip steadily. Measure and record the rate at which water
drips from the faucet. Use a graduated cylinder (in
milliliters) and a watch with a second hand to calculate the
approximate production in gallons per day (milliliters per
minute x 0.38 = gpd). Proceed to check the reject flow by
disconnecting the tubing at the drain connection and
measuring the drip rate as outlined above. The ratio
should be a minimum of 2.5 (reject) to 1 (product).
Repeat every 5 minutes until the rate is constant. When
the rate is constant, the tank is empty.
3) Allow the system to operate in this condition for 24 hours
to ensure water purity.
4) Close the faucet and reinspect the appliance for leaks.
Allow the tank to fill completely (it will take approximately
4 hours), then drain the tank again. The water should be
discarded because it may contain some preservative/
disinfectant solution.
5) The appliance should be ready to use as soon as the tank
refills. If any objectionable taste is noticed after the
second tankful is drained, instruct the customer to wait
and drain the tank the following day. Only at this time
should an icemaker be turned on if one is connected to
the appliance.
9
Faucet without
Air Gap
3/8” Blue
Tubing*
For refrigerator
icemaker or
water dispenser
hookup, tee into
tubing
Feedwater Tapping
Valve
Storage Tank
Valve
Cold Water
Supply Pipe
3/8” Yellow
Tubing*
Red SFC Tubing
1/4” Orange
Tubing
Storage
Tank**
1/4” green tubing
Purification
Assembly
Laundry Sink,
Standpipe or
Floor Drain
Air Gap Device
(e.g. Gap-A-Flow)
* For best flow, keep the tubing as short as possible
** Mount the storage tank on a shelf or strap it between two floor joists
Fig. 7
10
MAKE THE TUBING CONNECTIONS
O. APPENDIX FOR BASEMENT INSTALLATIONS
The following variations are generally required for basement
installations:
1) A proper length of the 1/4" orange feed water tubing
should already have been connected to the feed water
tapping valve. Route it through the large opening in the
bottom of the metal bracket and loop it back to the "FEED"
connection on the purification assembly.
INSTALL THE DRAIN CONNECTION
For basement installations, the drain saddle is generally
not used. Instead, the RO reject line (SFC tubing) is routed so
that it drains into a laundry sink, floor drain, or standpipe
through an approved air gap.
2) Thread the taped 3/8" x 1/4" elbow fitting into the tank valve.
Do not over tighten.
3) Connect a longer length of 3/8" blue tubing (not included) to
the faucet adapter. Route the tubing through the floor to the
location of the purification assembly. Remove the existing
3/8” blue tubing from the purification assembly. Route the
other end of the longer length of 3/8” blue tubing through the
large opening in the bottom of the metal bracket and connect
it to the “FAUCET” connection on the purification assembly.
MOUNT THE FAUCET
If you choose to use the air gap faucet included with the
RO system, follow the faucet installation instructions given ear-
lier in this manual. Do not hook up any air gap tubing to the
faucet since an alternate air gap will be used elsewhere in the
drain line.
NOTE: Instead of removing the existing 3/8" blue tubing from
the purification assembly, a 3/8" connector fitting can be used
to join the tubing from the faucet with the tubing from the purifi-
cation assembly.
If you choose to use the optional non-air gap faucet, follow
the instructions below.
A) Familiarize yourself with all of the components shown in
the diagram of the non-air gap faucet. (See Fig. 2)
B) Install only the chrome base plate and rubber sealing washer
onto the threaded nipple. (Plumbers' putty may be used in
place of the sealing washer for a neater appearance.)
C) Feed the threaded nipple through the sink/countertop
mounting hole (a 9/16" hole is adequate).
D) From underneath the sink/countertop, install the plastic
bottom washer, flat washer, star washer, and hex nut onto
the threaded nipple. Hand tighten the hex nut until the
faucet feels snug.
4) Route the 3/8" yellow tubing from the purification assembly
to the storage tank.
5) Route 1/4" tubing from an appropriate drain connection
(e.g. laundry sink, floor drain, standpipe) to the location of
the purification assembly. An air gap must be provided
between the outlet and the drain connection.
6) Connect the red SFC tubing from the purification assembly
to the 14" tubing from the drain connection using the 1/4"
connector fitting on the end of the SFC tubing.
E) After rechecking the faucet orientation, tighten the hex nut
with at 9/16" wrench until the faucet feels secure.
F) From above the sink, make any minor orientation
corrections by turning the faucet on its "flats" with a
padded adjustable wrench. Use care so as not to mar the
chrome finish.
INSTALL THE PURIFICATION ASSEMBLY AND THE
STORAGE TANK
The purification assembly is generally mounted to the base-
ment wall (using wall anchors) or to the wood ceiling supports. To
mount the purification assembly, keep the bracket level and mark
the location of the mounting holes. Install wall anchors and/or
mounting screws as required. Leave the screw heads protruding
to allow the bracket mounting slots to slide over them. (See Fig. 7)
The tank may be oriented either vertically or horizontally and
can be placed on a shelf, on the floor, or suspended from the ceil-
ing supports using brackets.
An effort should be made to minimize the distance between
the tank and purification assembly in order to ensure an adequate
flow rate to the faucet. For horizontal positioning on a shelf or floor,
carefully detach the tank base from the bottom of tank and use it
as a cradle.
Teflon is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont
11
Problem: Water leaks from air gap module opening.
Causes:
P. INSTALLATION TROUBLESHOOTING
The drain line tubing is looped, kinked, or has a low spot.
The drain line is blocked or the drain hole is not drilled
through completely.
Air is locked in the air gap outlet.
There is excessive RO reject flow.
•
•
Problem: Leak at the feed water tapping valve.
Cause: Tapping valve is not clamped tightly enough.
Solution: Tighten the tapping valve clamp screws evenly and
firmly keeping both halves of the bracket parallel. Be sure not
to deform tubing.
•
•
Solutions:
Trim any excess tubing to obtain a short, "straight-shot" to
the drain.
•
•
Problem: Leak at the drain saddle.
Cause: Drain saddle not clamped tightly enough.
Solution: Tighten the drain saddle screws evenly and firmly.
Check to see that the drain line is clear of any obstruction
and remove the drain saddle fitting to verify that the hole is
drilled through completely.
Blow air into the air gap outlet using a short length of tubing.
Disconnect the red SFC reject tubing from the faucet air
gap inlet tubing and check the reject flow rate. It should
be less than 175 ml/min. If it is greater than 175 ml/min.,
replace the red SFC reject tubing with the new one of
proper length.
Problem: Leak at the fittings threaded connection.
Cause: Fitting is improperly taped or not
•
•
tightened sufficiently.
Solution: Retape the threaded portion with Teflon® tape and
thread it in firmly. Do not over tighten.
Problem: Leak at the fitting's push-in connection.
Cause: Tubing is defective if there is a tubing misassembly.
Solution: Remove the tubing. Squarely cut off 1/4 inch from
the end of the tubing using a sharp razor knife and reinsert it
into the fitting. Make sure that the tubing is pushed in com-
pletely until it seats.
Problem: Too little or no reject flow.
Causes:
Red SFC reject tubing is plugged or defective.
The feed water tapping valve is not open.
An obstruction in the faucet air gap module.
•
•
•
Problem: Leak at the filter cartridge head.
Cause: Defective or misaligned O-ring.
Solution: Close the feed water tapping valve and the storage
tank valve. Lift up on the faucet handle and drain the tank a
minimum of 5 minutes. Remove the filter cartridge and check
the condition of the O-rings. If they are misaligned, reseal
them. If they are damaged, replace them.
Solutions:
Replace the SFC reject tubing with one of proper length.
•
•
•
Open the feed water tapping valve completely.
Remove the air gap module and inspect the internal flow
path. Replace the air gap module if necessary.
Problem: Chlorine or other unpleasant taste/odor is evi-
dent after the initial tank filling.
Cause: Residual preservative/sanitizer is still in the water.
Solution: Drain and fill the storage tank several times if
necessary.
Problem: The faucet leaks from the spout with the handle down.
Cause: An obstructed or defective valve seat in the faucet
mechanism.
Solution: Remove the faucet spout with a twisting/lifting
motion and slide the faucet handle forward over the spout hole
to gain access to the faucet valve. Unscrew the tee-bar and
the slotted bushing to remove the valve. Clean out any
obstruction or replace it with a new valve mechanism if neces-
sary.
Problem: Noise in the drain (gurgling or
dribbling sound).
Cause: The reject water is dripping into the standing water in
the drain trap.
Solutions:
Make sure that the 3/8" black drain tubing from the faucet
air gap module slopes continuously downward to the drain
saddle without any loops or low spots.
Angle the drain piping so that the reject water runs down
the side of the drain pipe.
Change the location of the drain saddle to the horizontal
drain pipe or any alternate vertical drain pipe which is
farther from the trap. Properly plug the original hole.
Caution: Make sure the drain saddle is always installed
above (before) the trap.
•
Problem: No steady drip from the open faucet after the
tank is drained.
Causes:
•
•
The feed water tapping valve is not open.
The feed water tapping valve is not installed properly.
A leak from any product water fitting connection.
The icemaker valve was left open before the start-up
procedure completed.
•
•
•
•
Air is still trapped in the system.
•
Solutions:
Open the feed water tapping valve completely.
Check the feed water tapping valve installation to make
sure that the needle has pierced the tubing.
•
•
Correct the fitting leak as outlined above.
Close the icemaker valve and wait until the faucet drips.
Wait for the air to be purged from the system.
•
•
•
12
II. Operation & Maintenance Instructions
When to Replace the Carbon Postfilter Cartridge
A. IMPORTANT WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE
REQUIREMENTS
•
If the filter is being used to control tastes and odors,
replace it every year.
Reverse Osmosis drinking water appliances contain
treatment components that are critical for the effective
reduction of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) as well as inor-
ganic chemical contaminants. Water Factory Systems®
strongly recommends that the user test the water periodical-
ly (every six months minimum) to verify that the appliance is
performing satisfactorily. Some models have a Percent
Rejection (PR) Water Quality Monitor to provide the user
with a means to test the water at any time. If a PR Monitor
is not used, your dealer will offer a bi-annual water testing
service. Routine maintenance is necessary in the form of
prefilter, postfilter, and membrane replacement, based on
the following guidelines:
•
If the filter is being used to reduce chloramines, change
it every six months. For critical applications such as
aquariums, base the filter change on periodic
chloramine (combined chlorine) tests.
•
If the filter is being used to meet standards for a
regulated organic chemical contaminant, then cartridge
replacement should be based on a monitoring program
established with a public health agency.
How to Replace the Prefilter and
Postfilter Cartridges
1) Lift up on the faucet handle to drain the tank. Close the
feed water tapping valve. Wait five (5) minutes for the
purification assembly to completely depressurize.
2) Twist the filter cartridge 1/4 turn clockwise so that the
ears on the cartridge are able to disengage from the
head. Firmly pull the cartridge from the head. It may
be necessary to twist the cartridge slightly from side to
side to help free it. (See Fig. 8)
•
•
Sediment, Carbon, or Sediment/Carbon Prefilters, and
Carbon Postfilters: Change every six months to one
year depending on the feed water quality.
RO Membrane: Change it as required based on a
built-in Percent Rejection (PR) Water Quality Monitor. A
bi-annual testing service will be offered by your dealer if
a (PR) Monitor is not used. The recommended
maximum service life is 36 months.
3) Remove the new filter cartridge from its sanitary sealed
wrapper. (Double check to see that it is the correct
replacement by comparing the labels.)
4) Using tap water, food grade silicone lubricant or glycerin,
wet the o-ring seals to make cartridge insertion easier.
5) Line up the cartridge ears, insert the cartridge and push
it into the head until it is fully seated. Twist the
cartridge 1/4 turn counterclockwise to lock it into place.
6) Open the feed water tapping valve and carefully check
for leaks.
B. REPLACING THE FILTER CARTRIDGES
The life of the prefilter cartridge generally depends on
the local water conditions (i.e., dirt, rust and/or chlorine lev-
els) while the life of the postfilter cartridge(s) is generally
determined by the length of service.
When to Replace the Sediment or Sediment/Carbon
Prefilter Cartridge(s)
C. REPLACING THE RO MEMBRANE CARTRIDGE
•
Every six months to one year, based upon your dealer's
recommendation and knowledge of the local water
conditions.
The life of the RO membrane cartridge depends on the
local water conditions and proper maintenance, e.g., regular
filter changes. Under typical conditions, the RO membrane
life ranges from 18-36 months. Unlike the filter cartridges,
the RO membrane cartridge life is not determined by the
amount of water used because of its self-cleaning feature.
•
•
A noticeable decrease in water production is an
indication that the prefilter requires changing.
Generally, private wells require more frequent sediment
prefilter changes while softened feed water usually
requires only yearly replacement.
•
Recommended maximum sediment or sediment/carbon
prefilter service life is one year.
When to Replace the Carbon Prefilter Cartridge (SQC 4)
The carbon prefilter removes free chlorine from the feed
water supply to protect the TFCM membrane from chlorine
attack. To find out the chlorine level in a water supply, call
the public water supplier.
•
With free chlorine levels up to 1 mg/L, the carbon
prefilter should be changed every year.
•
With free chlorine levels exceeding 1 mg/L, the carbon
prefilter should be changed every six months.
13
When to Replace the RO Membrane Cartridge
•
As determined by a built-in percent rejection (PR) monitor:
The monitor is factory preset so that a green light will be
displayed when the water quality is good, and a red or
yellow light indicates that cartridge replacement may be
necessary. If a red or yellow light is displayed, the faucet
should be opened and the storage tank trained. After it
has refilled, check the water quality again. If a red or
yellow light is still displayed, the membrane should be
replaced.
Remove the red SFC tubing from
the fitting before completely
removing the RO membrane cartridge
O
N
2
3
1
O
F
F
•
If a PR monitor is not used, your dealer or supplier will
offer a bi-annual testing service.
How to Replace the RO Membrane Cartridge
1) Close the feed water tapping valve. Lift up on the faucet
handle to drain the tank. Wait five (5) minutes for the
purification assembly to completely depressurize.
(1) Prefilter Sed/Carbon
(2) Membrane
(3) Postfilter/Carbon
2) Make sure that there is some slack in the red SFC tubing
connected to the fitting at the bottom of the RO membrane
cartridge. Twist the cartridge 1/4 turn clockwise so that
the tubing connection is accessible. (See Fig. 8)
Fig. 8
3) Remove the red SFC tubing by depressing the small gray
collet and pulling the tubing away from the fitting.
When to Sanitize the Storage Tank
•
•
Upon start-up as described in the beginning of this manual.
After any servicing or routine maintenance which involves
the RO membrane cartridge, postfilter cartridge(s), storage
tank, or faucet.
Note: It is advisable to check the end of the red SFC tubing
for nicks or scratches. If any are observed, cut off 1/4" from
the end of the tubing with a sharp razor knife.
When to Sanitize the Purification Assembly
4) Firmly pull the cartridge away from the head. (It may be
necessary to twist the cartridge slightly from side to side.)
5) Remove the new RO membrane cartridge from its sanitary
sealed wrapper. (Double check to see that it is the correct
replacement by comparing the labels.) Rinse it with tap
water and dry it off.
•
After any servicing or routine maintenance which involves
the prefilter cartridge or the RO membrane cartridge.
After any extended period of non-use (over 30 days) unless
the cartridges are stored inside a sealed plastic bag in the
refrigerator.
•
6) Remove the white plug from the fitting at the bottom of the
cartridge by pushing in the small gray collet and pulling out
the plug.
How to Sanitize the Storage Tank
Sanitizing the storage tank generally requires:
The Water Factory Tank Sanitizing Unit (P/N 50-011) or an
equivalent device such as an empty filter housing with
fittings and tubing.
•
7) Remove the red plastic cap from the top of the cartridge.
8) Using tap water, food grade silicone lubricant or glycerin,
wet the O-ring seals to make cartridge insertion easier.
9) Reconnect the red SFC reject tubing by inserting it into the
fitting at the bottom of the new RO membrane cartridge as far
as it will go. Line up the cartridge ears, insert the cartridge
and push it into the head until it is fully seated. Twist the
cartridge 1/4 turn counterclockwise to lock it into place.
10) Open the feed water tapping valve and carefully check for
leaks. Carefully inspect the fitting at the bottom of the new
RO membrane cartridge.
Common household bleach (5.25% non-scented).
A measuring spoon or a 0-10 ml graduated cylinder.
•
•
11) Follow the sanitizing procedure for the storage tank and
the purification assembly outlined below.
D. SANITIZING THE RO APPLIANCE
To assure the highest quality water from your Water Factory
Systems RO Drinking Water Appliance, it is important to routine-
ly sanitize both the storage tank and the purification assembly.
IMPORTANT: These procedures are only intended to be
part of a routine maintenance program only and are not
designed to sanitize systems that have become highly
contaminated from misuse.
14
1) Close the feed water tapping valve and lift up on the faucet How to Sanitize the Purification Assembly
handle to empty the water in the storage tank. It should
feel light when empty.
Sanitizing the Purification Assembly generally requires:
•
•
•
A new prefilter cartridge
Common household bleach (5.25% non-scented)
A standard eyedropper or equivalent
2) Shut off the faucet and close the valve at the top of tank.
Disconnect the 3/8" yellow tubing from the back for the
purification assembly. (Refer to Fig. 6 on the use of the
special "Push-In" connectors.) Remove the tank from its
location and drain it into the sink by turning it upside down
and opening the valve. Make sure that the outlet fitting is
pointing away from your face and into the sink.
3) Make sure that the feed water tapping valve is completely
closed and disconnect the 1/4" orange feed water tubing
from the purification assembly. Connect the end of the
feed water tubing to the sanitizing device. Connect an
1) Close the feed water tapping valve and lift up on the faucet
handle to empty the storage tank.
2) Follow the instructions on changing the prefilter cartridge.
3) Before installing the new cartridge, use and eyedropper to
inject one teaspoonful (approximately 5 ml) of household
bleach into the center opening of the filter cartridge. The
prefilter is located just before the RO membrane cartridge.
(See Fig. 10)
extra length of 1/4" tubing to the other end of the sanitizing 4) Open the feed water tapping valve and allow the appliance
device. Using the 3/8" x 1/4" union connector, connect the
3/8" yellow tubing from the tank valve fitting to the extra
piece of 1/4" tubing. (See Fig. 9)
to operate for at least six (6) hours. Drain the storage tank
and discard the water. The appliance should be ready to
use as soon as the storage tank refills. If any
objectionable taste is noticed, then drain the storage tank
again and allow it to refill.
4) Fill the sanitizing device with the following recommended
dosage of common household bleach:
A standard 2.5 gallon tank - 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml)
•
• Alternate size tanks - 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) per 2.5 gallons
of tank capacity
5) Open the feed water tapping valve to force water and
sanitizer into the storage tank. Allow about three (3)
minutes to fill a standard 2.5 gallon tank. It should feel
heavy when it is full.
E. LONG TERM NON-USE
If the RO appliance is to be left unused for a long period of
time (greater than 30 days), follow this procedure:
1) Lift up on the faucet handle to drain the storage tank and
close the feed water tapping valve. Wait five minutes for
the purification assembly to depressurize.
6) The sanitizing agent should remain in the storage tank a
minimum of 15 minutes. Close the feed water tapping valve
and the storage tank valve. Disconnect the sanitizing device
from the storage tank and feed water tapping valve.
Reinstall the storage tank and reconnect the 1/4" orange
feed water tubing and the 3/8" yellow tubing.
7) Open the feed water tapping valve to pressurize the system.
Open the tank valve and lift up on the faucet handle to drain
the storage tank of the sanitizing solution. When the storage
tank is empty, the faucet should drip steadily.
8) Shut off the faucet and allow the storage tank to fill for at
least six (6) hours. Drain the storage tank again and discard
the water. The appliance should be ready to use as soon as
the tank refills. If any objectionable taste is noticed, then
drain the storage tank again and allow it to refill.
2) Remove all of the filter cartridges. Turn the cartridges
upside down in the sink to drain out as much water from
them as possible.
3) Place the cartridges in an air tight plastic bag and store
them in the refrigerator. Important: The cartridges
must be not be allowed to freeze because permanent
damage may occur.
4) When the RO appliance is ready to be put back into serv
ice, reinstall the filter cartridges by matching the symbols
on the top of the cartridge labels with the ones on the
purification assembly heads. Sanitize the storage tank as
described in the previous section. The purification
assembly can be sanitized at this time if so desired.
5) Follow the start up procedure outlined in the previous section.
1/4" Orange Tubing
3/8" Yellow Tubing
Eyedropper
with Bleach
Extra 1/4" Tubing
Feedwater Tapping Valve
3/8" x 1/4"
Union
Connector
Sanitizing
Device
Cartridge Ear
Storage Tank
1/2 Tsp.
Prefilter
Cartridge
5.25% Bleach
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
15
CUNO Incorporated
400 Research Parkway
Meriden, CT 06450, U.S.A.
Toll Free: 1-800-733-1199
Worldwide: 203-237-5541
Fax: 203-238-8701
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