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DoggieDaddy · 03-12-2015, 08:42 PM

While trying to track down some de-ionizing beads here in Tucson I came in contact with a tech from Water Tech. We had about a 45 minute discussion on the topic of rinsing a coach with DI water and what would be the most effective of way of doing that. The guy seemed to be very knowledgable about what it would take. He knew what was done to perform the "spot free" rinse in car washes because Water Tech services those operations. The goal in a car wash "spot free" rinse cycle is to cover the vehicle with 1/64 of an inch of DI water. He then proceded to calculate the square inch measurement of the outside of a coach measuring 45' long, 8' wide, with a 10' sidewall height. He divided that by 64 and then by the number of cubic inches in a gallon of water. He came up with 6.75 gallons. That's what it takes to rinse your coach with DI water. The next issue is how much Di water can a filter device create. His company sells a 10" filter cartridge that is food grade and it will create 15 to 18 gallons of DI water. That means that you might get 3 rinses per cartridge. DI water is expensive and you want to use it spearingly. We then went into a discussion about food quality versus FA (fish aquarium) quality. His company only sells food quality for liability reasons. The FA grade beads will do the same job only cheaper. The water is not drinkable or potable. The food grade 10" cartrdge sells for about $45 where the FA cartridge sells for about $17. Buying bulk FA grade may be even cheaper. He questioned the amount of beads that would be in Chuck's water stick and how long they would last. Please take no offense Chuck. With the expendature of the beads one would not want to indiscriminantly spray the precious water. He noted one DI user with a MH that had a 10" cartridge set up and dispensed the water into a pump sprayer. The sprayer was used to mist windows after washing them elliminating spots and streaks. Based upon the discussion I chose to purchase a 10" cartridge setup. The cartridge he sold me is refillable. That means that I can order the FA beads in bulk and save few bucks. I think I can use a pump sprayer to do the final rinse on the coach. We'll see. Just be aware that the beads if spilled on a hard surface are very slippery and can be dangerous so be careful refilling any of these devices. BTW the cost of the cartridge and housing was $75 without fittings. It has a 1/2 inch in and out.

brobox · 03-12-2015, 09:06 PM

Doesn't bother me any. I didn't get that technical, made one and it works for me. I have been using one for 8 years and I don't have anything to sell. I only get 2 maybe 3 spot free rinses per filling, but I bought my resin so cheap locally compared to what I see online. It cost me about $1. to fill my tube.

If you look at the DI videos on youtube....they are not using anything fancy either. These are profession window washer doing spot free rinses on glass....I still squeegee my windows. Guess mine is not that good

But for what it cost me to make one, I won't complain.

Another tip, fill your resin beads over grass.... you'll never slip on any. Nothing to clean up either. I shake the old beads into a plastic grocery bag, in the grass, then throw it away.

Crippsfl · 03-13-2015, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhusak

Ralph..
Maybe thats why my pontoon floats so high in the water here..

Where did you order your beads?
Looking forward to your results..
Ron
Still enjoying the hard water and seeing water spots out my windows..

Ordered the beads from On the Go. Bought the mixed bed single refill. Should be enough to fill my unit a couple times. We will see how it works or if?

brobox · 03-13-2015, 05:54 AM

I am sure I may learn a few more tips as others make theirs and find resin bead suppliers, better hose connections, etc. I now use a hose shut off as a flow restrictor and a quick disconnect to the hose.

One thing to add, the beads need to be kept sealed to last longer. I close the sprinkler head and the hose shutoff to store the beads in the tube. I also put all of the resin I bought in heavy duty zip lock sandwich size bags for storage. Keeps the beads properly sealed and one is the perfect size to re-charge the tube.

Crippsfl · 03-13-2015, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

I am sure I may learn a few more tips as others make theirs and find resin bead suppliers, better hose connections, etc. I now use a hose shut off as a flow restrictor and a quick disconnect to the hose.

One thing to add, the beads need to be kept sealed to last longer. I close the sprinkler head and the hose shutoff to store the beads in the tube. I also put all of the resin I bought in heavy duty zip lock sandwich size bags for storage. Keeps the beads properly sealed and one is the perfect size to re-charge the tube.

Thanks Chuck,

I have a Food Saver and will probably figure out how much I need for a single charge and bag the rest in appropriate sized quantities. They should be in great shape in vacuum bags!

srh · 03-13-2015, 09:10 AM

brobox: First, thank you for all your efforts in sharing your expertise and experience.
I just called a plumbing supply store and asked if they carry de-ionizing resin beads and was told that they have it in a one cubic foot bag, around $100. I know this is higher than what you purchased yours for, but my question is do you think this is the right stuff?
Thanks, again!

brobox · 03-16-2015, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srh

brobox: First, thank you for all your efforts in sharing your expertise and experience.
I just called a plumbing supply store and asked if they carry de-ionizing resin beads and was told that they have it in a one cubic foot bag, around $100. I know this is higher than what you purchased yours for, but my question is do you think this is the right stuff?
Thanks, again!

I didn't go to a plumbing supply, I went to a water softener store in my area. From what I am seeing online I got a heck of a deal. They sold me a gallon size zip lock bag for $5.00. I bought 4 of them, come to find out they were 5 lbs each when I got home. They had an open bag in the back and maybe they just wanted to get rid of it. Looks like I got a deal and one of those it paid to shop around. De-ionizing beads is the right stuff. I watched few videos on youtube to make sure I bought the right stuff for spot free rinses.

garyhz · 03-16-2015, 07:49 AM

I've been using this stuff for 3 years now. It wipes on and drys off with a nice shine.

RV Waterless Wash Wax Cleaner Polish spray Detailing Care,Waxing RV,Cleaning RV

DoggieDaddy · 03-17-2015, 08:13 PM

I want to thank Chuck and all the others that had input on this thread. I put our DI water system into use today and the results are fantastic. I cleaned our windshield and used DI water for the final rinse. Very few spots. We had a lot of water spots left from washing the coach in Tucson so I just sprayed the rest of the coach. The water spots were disolved. Coach looks great now. Need to refine the spray nozle a bit to make it more directional but the irrigation head worked well at distributing the water. Found a place online to get 7.5 pounds of beads for $54.99 plus shipping. That will be about 5 refills of the cartridge equalling from 12 to 15 coach rinses. I now have about $150 invested but judging from the results well worth it. Thanks again Chuck for the inspiration.

777 Driver · 03-18-2015, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoggieDaddy

Found a place online to get 7.5 pounds of beads for $54.99 plus shipping.

The internet is a big place. Any hint to direct my search for your source?

Thanks.

Take care,
Stu

DoggieDaddy · 03-18-2015, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

The internet is a big place. Any hint to direct my search for your source?

Thanks.

Take care,
Stu

Yes, I'm sorry. Bulkreefsupply.com.

777 Driver · 03-18-2015, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoggieDaddy

Bulkreefsupply.com.

Perfect. Thanks.

Take care,
Stu

jb4545 · 03-18-2015, 07:33 PM

Made a DI water stick based on Chucks post and used it to wash the jeep today. I used spare 1 1/4" PVC parts I had from a project several years ago so the only thing I had to buy was the spray wand and beads. Left a great finish on the jeep with just a quick rinse. Chuck, that was definitely a 2 beer post if we ever meet up…………….