After using wfp for awhile, I got in bad habit of not checking RO first and using ro/di. Checked today on a job, 196 going in , out of RO i got a 6. 2nd job I checked was 180 ish and ro was 12. I know different water, so different results. I’ve probably done 20 jobs since I got my unit and lowest input water was in the 120’s so I don’t think I’ll ever see the Ro below 5. Is it best to just stick w/ using the RO/DI or what level is good to get get out of the RO to use.
A TDS of 10is usually acceptable for spot free windows, but I personally try to keep it under 5 to have a buffer. If you have a range of 6-12 out of your RO and you run it through your DI as well, your DI will last a very, very long time so I personally would run it through both just to make sure you have spot free windows. See the Pure Water Manual from WCR to see how long your DI will last at 7-12 coming in. You will be amazed at how many gallons of water you can make at that low of a TDS.
Curious. Can I use an aquarium RO/DI? Had a deal on a used Watts. Cartridges were rather cheap. DI was cheap but the RO membrane was a bit costly but could get all new filters for $80. I t was a 125 or 100 gpd. That is fine because I can run it during the week and collect the water and later pump thru DI tank. Don’t pay for water. What type ROs do you guys use?
It is always best to have a system designed for the job you are performing. Aquarium RO systems are for fish, professional window cleaners should use professional, on-demand systems. For the money you will pump into tiny aquarium RO membranes that are designed to make 100 gpd you can have a professional system that will work on demand. A proper RO membrane that requires some maintenance will cost $600, no question but it will last years.
Spend a little more up front and save lots on the back end. Just my experience after years of doing this.
Easy to say when you have deep pockets. I would love to afford one but don’t need an on demand high output right now. I make my water and take with me just as many others on here do. If I need on site I have the cube. I don’t have the volume of clients that would require the need for it. If I can make water in the back ground while at home and store it. That is fine. Using the DI tanks to polish it anyway. I have looked into the under 10 gph ROs avg about 250. Better option for my purpose. Pure water is pure water. We use garden sprayers to apply the water so are we not professionals now? Does professional mean we need the high dollar equipment? No Am I rolling onto a job with the “fish” RO? No. It is a method of making smaller quantities of water, pretty pure in fact. Most of us on here use other than “professional” equipment. Tools modified to get the job completed. I may not be a “professional” then but I get clean windows. Mission accomplished at a cost that is suitable for me.
[MENTION=30474]Jackllfixit[/MENTION]
So … If a squeegee is a squeegee ! Which squeegee do you use ? A squeegee from a gas station that is
used for windshields ? LOL
Just to verify, In order for me to make pure water I need to buy a $600 RO unit because that is what professionals use? If I am able to produce pure water at the level I need it for for cheaper, how is that wrong? I AM NOT SAYING DON’T USE GOOD EQUIPMENT. If I use a $20 squeegee and you use a $40 are you more professional than I? If you use a fancy RO because you need a lot of water and I supplement my water using a RO that produces 50-100 gpd or 8 gph I can’t be a professional as well? My pockets can’t afford a $600 RO so looking for a different method. There are many other folks out there doing the same thing making their own DI and RO systems. Works out just fine for them. Are they wrong and not professional? If you read the post, you can see the intent of the question. Not asking for on demand water use. But what other folks did to make their RO. If the guy wants to get rid of his system, hell I’ll make use of it. It can make water all day. By the end of the wek I will have some nice water. That is a horrible concept.
BTW I bet there are folks on here that can fan using the gas station squeegee better than most of the “pros” on here can. If the windows get clean, client is happy, you get paid. What is the issue. Thanks for the advice on buying an expensive RO system I don’t need. Its great to buy good quality high speed equipment. Know the theory. Reality is the nice stuff is what you eventually aspire to get if you cannot get right off the bat. I should have asked aside from the high output demand RO what other type of system set-ups do you use if you make water at home and transport water to the job site in your car/truck.
Hey jack…,
Take a breath…
I like to think that it’s the END results that matter not so much the cost of the equipment to get there.
Nice clean windows.
Now, a $1000 unit will give you the same results as a lesser priced one.
However, getting to the point of perfect is easier with a higher end unit.
I still have ( and use) my $75 Merlin that a lot of peeps said would not work for wfp, but it worked for me with a few slight hassles.
Rember this forum feeds the Wcr store so employees will ALLWAYS try to sell their products.
There are more than a few on here that have made there own units. ( that’s my next project. Man projects NEVER end lol)
As long as you get excellent results, you are a pro.
Pax
What would DD say? I’m sure a fish tank RO is not “standard operating procedure”, so he, and the son of Ettore, would frown upon its use 
Don, how many Wash-iT’s can I put you down for? 
No offense meant Jack. I was just pointing out the benefits of a machine engineered for cleaning windows and the savings over time.
P, exactly. I looked at the Merlin found good prices on used ones. Discontinued so folks are getting rid of them. Takes a bit of searching but have a few leads. My point exactly. [B]If I get 0 ppm what does it matter how I get it?[/B] This reminds me of the old high school days. When Nike came out with the white leather shoes. You weren’t crap unless you had them. To be cool you had to wear those. So my Kangaroos weren’t good enough. How many guys on here made their own DI tanks and set ups? [B]Why? [/B]
There are those that like the easy way. Me, I like to make stuff. If I have to buy it, I usually find a way to modify it. Like my sprayer. Never buy another one because I can now build a much better one.
@ JACK !
The post was about having a little humor ! Sounds like you are a very angry guy that is frustrated at the world !
Who cares about Nike or that you wore kangaroos ! Everyone is dealt with some kind of situation and if your FISH TANK RO / DI SYSTEM does what it needs to do for you than that is what counts. Take a chill pill and relax if you need a beer let me know … I will order up one of those WCR glasses and send you one and a credit for a can of beer .
@Alex
Believe me… When its time to order i will be ordering from y’all.
Pax
Hey lay off Nike I had two Pairs…LOL
O ppm it does not matter how you get it as long as you get it…GET IT.
I was reluctant to spend the cash on a wash it pro. I like it a lot and would not replace with anything else. I am sure you can and do do a good job with fish filters and hauling water but it seems like a hassle. For instance sometimes I get on a job fully intending to use pure water only to find that it wouldn’t work so well so I go traditional. Sometimes I begin a job traditional and realize I can hook up the wash it for excellent results. Having a pure water system on a cart is very versatile. Again I’m sure your results are excellent but in the long run a system designed for your job will serve you well and save time.
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Like I stated. Deep pockets are a wonderful thing. You would be surprised how many folks on here have small RO systems or simply use the DI. Make water and bring with. Now that I have a much better sprayer, fan jets, and a good brush. I use less water now so a large RO set up is unnecessary. In the future sure will get one as business increases but not willing to invest 600-2000 for a RO just yet. See, I already have a system designed for my job and in the near future. You are stuck on this “fish filter” Its an RO/DI some use it for tanks, plants, cleaning, or where ever they want quality water. I don’t do WFP everyday, have other business to operate. So I can produce well over what I need. If I need on site I have 2 small portable and another DI tank for site work if needed. If you are thinking I am banking on this RO for all my water you are mistaken. Not going for a truck so need what I can haul in my auto along with my other cleaning supplies. It is quite obvious a nice system will serve better in the long run. Not an idiot, understand the concept. So ask all the others on here why they are not going out to buy the better units now. Well, one must start somewhere. I am not willing to bank on an expensive system yet. Maybe in a year or too. Like you said. You get to sites that wont work with WFP and go traditional. Start finding this is common you have an unused system you are paying for.
Not every business fits the need for that type of equipment from the get go. Like DRWC said. I am not mad at the world, just folks that try to sell me into a notion that doesn’t work for my situation. Works for me. I’m happy with it. End of discussion. Nuff said.
I bet there’s not!!!
Exactly. That was my point. The use of a fancier tool does not make one a professional. If you can master the basic of tools to fit your craft, then you are worthy of being a professional. Master of you craft. Instead of mastering the basics we seek an easier or better tool. We elect to use the better tool because they are more forgiving, easier to learn. Folks use then to make money. No time to master basics. I remember learning from a Master Carpenter in MI. I would have loved to use the Estwing but only allowed the basic wood handle, basic saws etc… Had to learn the basics before could use the “big boy” hammer. Maybe an auto squeegee or a cheapie from Lowes/HD. There are some on here. I would hope. I don’t want to believe the idea that window cleaners actually are of the opinion that professional tools make them a pro not that they have “mastered” the art of a squeegee.
Me, not a professional. I still use my “wooden hammer” cheap $4 squeegee to practice with. I’m not in it for the money. Sure I do jobs. Have fun using my wagtail. Makes my cleaning easier but I do it because I love to do it. Can take me 5 minutes or an hour. Don’t matter. I always find time to pull out that squeegee and practice. I know that if I can use it well, I can master any squeegee.
