help with ro unit please

[thetman36]

Ok strange as it may sound I can't get the F#@*ing cap to screw off my Ro unit so I can change the membrane. Anyone else ever experience this problem. I do not have a vice to clamp it into. I have tried tapping it with a hammer and screwdriver. the cap wont budge. Please help

 

[albano]

Not sure of your system, but in think that you have to push down on it before turning...(RO version of 'child proof')

 

[44santababy]

i just changed my membrane today and ran into same problem. I used 430 channel locks and used it to remove the cap which was on really tight.

 

[thetman36]

ok!!! I don't have the channel locks. I am going down the road to my local mechanics and asking him to put it in his vice and take the cap off for me, then I am going to my local home dept and getting a pair of the channel locks thanks.

 

[albano]

Did you try to push down on it?

 

[CleanYourTank11]

For the future order yourself an ro wrench.

 

[bayondai]

Try using a belt if you don't have a strap wrench.

 

[thetman36]

I went with the Channel locks. They worked perfectly. I Found them in the garage. Do they make a lubricant to put on the threads so they don't stick like that again? I did try pushing on the cap it was majorly stuck. I did not know they made an ro wrench. I do have the big plastic wrench to turn on and off the canisters. but that cap to the ro membrane is a pain. in order to get the membrane out once you get the cap off is also a pain. It sticks inside the unit. Perhaps some kind of Lubricant would do the trick. Any one ever hear of such a thing? oh and i do have a rubber strap wrench it did not work.

 

[CleanYourTank11]

Sounds good, glad you got it. For the canisters you should just hand tighten them, most of the time the ro wrench will suffice. As far as the membrane, they always stick and the best bet is channel locks to pull it out. Personally I do not know of any lubricant for them, not to say there isn't something out there.

 

[thetman36]

I am going to search for something and when I find it I will post it here. Thanks again all for the help.

 

[thetman36]

found it
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...DwE6pqIgnFmYHlnm0iLXsvUhPiK5fbi3AwaApyF8P8HAQ

 

[Loose tenticle]

Maybd too much pressure os built up, try removing the tubes from the push fittings to release the pressure. They should just unscrew off with minimal effort, just be ready with a bucket and towel justs in case.

 

[pecan2phat]

Silicone lubricant is used on o-rings, your going to use it on the PVC threads? I've found it handy having a strap wrench in the tool box for things like the RO housing.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Don't use any lubricants. Its not needed if all hoses are off and you are using a ro wrench or a pair of channel locks..

 

[thetman36]

yes i took all hoses off. no pressure was in the unit. It was stuck but the channel locks did the trick the strap wrench did not work. I had to step on the unit while using the channel locks. it had no pressure in it. It was just stuck. A small amount of lubricant on the threads of the cap will not hurt the water and will not hurt the unit. It is aquarium safe for the water and will not react with the plastic. They make a similar product for swimming pool fittings and it works well. I am not saying that you can use the swimming pool stuff on your ro unit. But if it is that hard and that stuck every 11 months a small amount of the stuff should do the trick.

 

[edd]

yes i took all hoses off. no pressure was in the unit. It was stuck but the channel locks did the trick the strap wrench did not work. I had to step on the unit while using the channel locks. it had no pressure in it. It was just stuck. A small amount of lubricant on the threads of the cap will not hurt the water and will not hurt the unit. It is aquarium safe for the water and will not react with the plastic. They make a similar product for swimming pool fittings and it works well. I am not saying that you can use the swimming pool stuff on your ro unit. But if it is that hard and that stuck every 11 months a small amount of the stuff should do the trick.

olive oil works and non toxic.