OK people, fess up. . .

[johnrt]

Who else lives in abject fear - wake up bolt upright, drenched in a cold sweat, screaming fear, of the John Guest connectors on their RO/DI units?

Remember: acknowledging a problem is the first step to solving a problem.

Perhaps we can form a support group that meets after the OVAS meetings - or put together a group buy of fitting that are less scary.

[Rybren]

Gee, Thanks John.

The idea of a fitting pulling free from my RO/DI unit had never even crossed my mind before you posted this.  However, I now have the shakes and have run downstairs to check on my unit three times while writing this post.  I can't bring myself to leave the house and go to work.  I've broken out a bottle of scotch (25 yr old, single cask, cask strength) and with it will stand vigil over my unit from this point on.

CURSE YOU JOHNRT!

[HomerJ]

You do know that these same fittings are available in 1/2" and 3/4" for residential plumbing as well right?  You can do all kinds of nifty things like copper to PVC, copper to pex joints, etc.  And it's all up to code (when done by someone qualified).

Ok, ok, I'll admit to wondering if these fittings were safe, but after a few sleepless nights, I found something else to worry about.  (Like the 70 gallons of water sitting in a glass tank in my 1st floor living room, RIGHT above the 50 inch plasma and the basement living room). :-S 

A "slow" RO leak, I can handle: assumption being that I'd find out pretty quickly (due to where it's located) before too much damage.  And I do turn the valve off when I leave home for more than a day.

The tank cracking would mean that a) I have to redo 2 living rooms b) I can watch the fish channel on the TV without it being even plugged in.

That's what currently keeps me up at night ;-b

[johnrt]

Rybren,

Good. Anger is a healthy start, as misdirected as it may be. Realize that, here-to-for, your terror existed (you owned the unit), but was masked by your blocking even contemplate the issue. Real progress!

Your functional agoraphobia presents a problem as it precludes the suggested support group meeting in the parking lot after the monthly OVAS do. SO, we'll hold it at your place. I hope you are as good a cook as Trina (Butter Tarts, hold the raisins).

Be strong, I believe it can be beaten.



Now, it you would prefer to not host the meeting, I will share may coping strategy: I hire an RO/DI sitter. Expensive, but I can get out. I hire my son. He is oddly oblivious to the treat. At other times I would offer his services, but we would both need to be at the meeting, assuming you WANT to get better, so you are on your own. Try the Yellow Pages.


HomerJ,

You just don't understand mental health issues.

Facts and logic are of no aid. Examine you own phobia. Lots of people keep tanks and there are scattered reports, unverified, of tanks existing for years without spontaneously exploding (at night). See, that fact did not help you one bit! Additionally the People Living in the Shadow of John Guest Support Group (PLSJGSG) cannot help you. We may be neurotic, but we are focused.

[HomerJ]

Additionally the People Living in the Shadow of John Guest Support Group (PLSJGSG) cannot help you. We may be neurotic, but we are focused.

Maybe you could have a sub-group, meeting in the room next door, for People Living With A Scare Their Tank Will Spontaneously Blow Up (PLWASTTWSBU)?.  We could carpool to meetings, and share timbits?

Seriously though, it's funny how something that is supposed to be a hobby turns into a scary nightmare when you start looking at the possible "FAIL" cases. ;-b

[johnrt]

How does one share a Timbit. They are small enough already.

[new2salt]

I sleep very soundly - they don't bother me one bit.
That might be because all of my fittings have a lock ring that prevents pushing the inner collar back in.
Making a secure connection.

Don't buy John Guest - get Watts instead and purchase the plastic insert rings.

These will insure that fittings do not come apart - by accident

[attachment deleted by admin]

[johnrt]

new2salt,

I am not surprised that you are not bothered by a 1/4" pipe leak. Take a look at the right hand on you avatar. That there is a fully turgid 4 incher if I am not mistook.

BTW, you have that little blue horse shoe upside-down. First all the luck drains out, then all the water.

On a more serious note. I have not been able to find those little blue lock things. My RO/DI came with locks for only about 2/3s of the fittings.

[new2salt]

They are available from AquaSafe Canada.
They are very pricey, a whopping $0.18 each
A small price to pay for piece of mind and a secure connection
http://aquasafecanada.com/online_store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3&zenid=e424120c6fc976f4a57fa2cfc0778347
Shipping is probably more expensive than the cost of the product itself.
Can't you get any more from the retailer - where you purchased your RODI.
Marinescape sells Aquasafe, try there.

[new2salt]

new2salt,

I am not surprised that you are not bothered by a 1/4" pipe leak. Take a look at the right hand on you avatar. That there is a fully turgid 4 incher if I am not mistook.

johnrt,
The item in the avitar right hand is a halligan bar, a very popular tool in the Fire Service
You are right about a 1/4" pipe leak, when I work with hose from 1 1/2" to 5" diameter and pumps capable of pumping 1000 IGPM to 1550 IGPM
Or for those that are metricated, thats hose diameters from 38mm to 128mm and water flow from 6000 to 8000 L/min.
H2O and hose are my primary working tools.


[attachment deleted by admin]

[johnrt]

Halligan Bar, Kool. Makes Klingonesk fashion statement. Real Nerd-babe magnet. No wonder its popular. I'm a little old to pull it off.

Had to Google that one and found a store more hazardous than Lee Valley Tools:
Paratech 30" Standard Claw Hooligan Bar. It is much heavier than their older, and wildly unpopular magnesium pry bar, and a bit pricey at $488.49, but it is spark resistant, and on sale!
http://www.thefirestore.com/catalog/product/Paratech_30_Standard_Claw_Hooligan_Bar_Spark_Resistant-2961-4656/

For those that find the standard Halligen just a little over-the-top, they offer the Li'l-Pro-Bar, at 12", it offers all the same fashion elements as the 30 incher above, but in a sleek purse or pocket form factor. At just over a tenth the price of it's big brother, it is a steal!
http://www.thefirestore.com/catalog/product/Lil_Pro_Bar_12_Length-756-4656/

Are those pumps aquarium safe?

[Rybren]

John,

You obviously have way too much time on your hands.

How about coming over and doing a WC for me?

[ordi260]

John,

You obviously have way too much time on your hands.

How about coming over and doing a WC for me?

I lol'ed 

My tank would use a water change too 

[johnrt]

Rybren & ordi260,

OK, OK, I get it. I am the only crazy person in OVAS who is terrified of John Guest, and his thinly disguised friend Mr Watts. I can live with that. But I *know*, deep, deep down, I know, that some day, long after this thread is archived, I will read in the DIY forum of some lost soul, wailing in the wilderness, about his/her OR/DI unit flooding their home to the rafters over a long weekend. I tried to help. . .

And yes, I do have WAY too much time on my hands, trapped in my home, standing vigil over these cursed things, so much as appreciate the generous offer of a diversion and brief social interaction, I will not be changing you water.

[ordi260]

You know John...its just that i don't accept my crazyness...

Ill admit I at least check once a day all plumbing...looking for leaks

And for the records...i did flooded my floor because of a faulty something in my ro-di a week ago   
It was the float valve's fault...but anyway

Cheers

[djtr]

I never feared a leak until I woke to find my 30g fresh water tank about a 1/2" lower than when I went to bed...... The pump housing on my aquaclear 20 was leaking more than a little.

but no fear of an ro leaking because I don't own one yet lol.

[ordi260]

but no fear of an ro leaking because I don't own one yet lol.

Haha nice I wish it was that simple 

[djtr]

Haha nice I wish it was that simple 

Im still doing the crazy buy my water from the water universe on Hazeldean :S

[djtr]

on a side note, I am looking for an r/o unit