[RFI] Fwd: Water treatment system RFI?

[David Eckhardt]

This is basically what we have with 1 Cubic Foot of resin which treats only
the carbonates.  We have both Na carbonates (limestone) and sulfates
(gypsum) in the well water.  Problem is after 5 years of use, the resin is
becoming "spent" and the valves in the unit are dumping too much salt into
the "softened" water.  We have stopped using the dishwasher for the buff
white coating that everything comes out with.  Bottom line:  It needs
replacing.

I had quite a talk with a "water expert" up from Denver about options
between simply replacing the softner with a larger unit which will treat
both the carbonates and sulfates.  When the original unit was put in 5
years ago, evidently there was not yet a resin to treat the sulfates, which
there now is.   The Denver guy took all kinds of pictures and had in mind a
custom unit which would treat both the sulfates, carbonates, and finally a
whole house RO system.  Oh, yes....... and occupy about 25 cubic feet of
the garage floor.  At the end of the trade-off talk, I "introduced" him to
RFI and my concerns.  Of course any system he had in mind had lots of
electronics and microcontrollers.  To me, that's a blank license for
interference.  Oh, yes not to mention the cost approaching $40k !!!!  I've
not heard back from him as I suspect my very pointed and terse talk at the
end about RFI scared them off - I gave him a "shopping list" of items I
needed to see regarding RFI issues, not just Part 15.

So I remember from some 25 years ago, there were
RO systems out there that do NOT include all the electronics and
microprocessors, but do have water pumps.  I am also sensitive to noise.
These pumps make noise, and I "hope" are not speed controlled which is
another license for RFI.  Yes, those units are still available for around
$8k plus installation and softeners to treat both the sulfates and
carbonates.  These should produce minimal RFI, if any, provided the pumps
are not speed controlled.  Any experiences with these in the group with
either RFI or pump noise (if they are speed controlled)????

We do have an RO system which supplies 2 gallons/day for strictly drinking
water.  After 6 years with no service, it still reduces the TDS from
roughly 1300 (what ever the units are) to 120 (whatever the units are).
Not bad at all!

Dave - WØLEV

On Mon, Sep 20, 2021 at 7:45 PM Kim Elmore <cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> We have a water softener at our house as well. The brand escapes me, but I
> believe it’s powered by a wall wart and, from the heft of it, anold
> fashioned linear one at that. It consists of an ion exchange tank, a flow
> meter, a head unit with clock and display, and valves that that control the
> regeneration. So, it’s a modestly simple system. My transmissions have
> never gotten into it nor have I ever head anything from it.
>
> Kim N5OP
>
> "People that make music together cannot be enemies, at least as long as
> the music lasts." -- Paul Hindemith
>
> > On Sep 20, 2021, at 11:17 AM, David Eckhardt <davearea51a at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Don, I'm in the same boat.  As we all know, Part 15 does not assure
> > acceptable interference levels for amateur radio (or radio astronomy -
> > another hobby).
> >
> > I also asked for a photo of the regulatory label ("graffitti" label).  No
> > returns on that, either.
> >
> > Dave - WØLEV
> >
> >> On Mon, Sep 20, 2021 at 2:44 AM Don <kb5kwv at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> I emailed 4 companies and got almost nothing back.
> >>
> >> One company would only say it complied with part 15.
> >>
> >> I still have not bought one because of RFI questions.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> >> Subject:        [RFI] Water treatment system RFI?
> >> Date:   Sun, 19 Sep 2021 21:43:59 -0400
> >> From:   Kenny Silverman <kenny.k2kw at gmail.com>
> >> To:     rfi <rfi at contesting.com>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> We need a new water treatment system (we’re on well water) and all the
> >> new systems are digital. Anyone experienced RFI from a new system? Or
> >> just treat it like any electric device?
> >>
> >> Regards , Kenny K2KW _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > *Dave - WØLEV*
> > *Just Let Darwin Work*
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-- 
*Dave - WØLEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*