How to open RO membrane?

AquaKnight407 · #1 12/25/2007, 10:55 AM

Anyone have any pointers on how to open an RO membrane? Got a new one for Xmas and can't open the RO using hand power (figured that much). Saw they sell a wrench online, but any 'pro' tips out there? I think we'll go pick up some of the 'band wrenches' that use a rubber strap.

Just saw the end of the membrane has like a pin hole set and wanted to make sure I wasn't suppose to remove something first.

dinoman · #2 12/25/2007, 11:17 AM

Are you talking about the housing it goes in? You usually have to crank them down pretty tight so it doesn't leak when it gets under pressure. Unfortunately the wrenches they sell for opening the housing don't work with the RO housing usually (made more for the prefilter housings which are bigger). Me? When I need to open it I just clamp it in a vice and use a pipe wrench

. Mars up the cap a little but doesn't affect the filtering any.

tkeracer619 · #3 12/25/2007, 11:18 AM

The cap just screws off. IF you cant get it apart, rubber strap wrenches will surely help.

BuckeyeFS · #4 12/25/2007, 12:24 PM

Strap wrenches work - but if you don't have those, remove the tubing from the fittings on the housing. Carefully remove the housing from its clips. Grip the housing with your left hand down at the far end by the fittings to help give you a little better grip, and try to unscrew it.

If that doesn't work - they usually come open easily with one person holding one end, and another person unscrewing the lid.

Russ

AquaKnight407 · #5 12/25/2007, 12:49 PM

Thanks for all the help. It definitely was stuck on there good and tight, even two people, me 6' 4" 220lbs and my brother 6'3" 300lbs+ (offensive line) couldn't get it off.

Wound up making our own strap wrench with a belt. No problem then. Just took some engineering lol.

BuckeyeFS · #6 12/25/2007, 03:04 PM

Yeow! You might want to put some food grade silicone grease on the o-ring(s) before you close it back up.

Russ