Comments on: GE Merlin: Fact of Fiction? http://www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2009/11/ge-merlin-fact-of-fiction/ The source for information on reverse osmosis, water softening, no-salt systems, iron and sulfur removal, disinfection and filtration for home and business - we do everything with water... except walk on it! Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:45:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mark http://www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2009/11/ge-merlin-fact-of-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-871 mark Wed, 12 Jan 2011 02:31:31 +0000 http://www.askthewaterdoctor.com/?p=248#comment-871 Sam, Some people had success with the Merlin, but the failure rate was very high, which is why it was discontinued. A permeate pump RO with a 14 or 20 gallon tank and a 100 GPD membrane produces a phemonominal amount of water and pressure. http://www.uswatersystems.com/shop/products/High-Pressure-Non-Electric-Reverse-Osmosis-System.html Sam,

Some people had success with the Merlin, but the failure rate was very high, which is why it was discontinued. A permeate pump RO with a 14 or 20 gallon tank and a 100 GPD membrane produces a phemonominal amount of water and pressure.

http://www.uswatersystems.com/shop/products/High-Pressure-Non-Electric-Reverse-Osmosis-System.html

]]> By: sam http://www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2009/11/ge-merlin-fact-of-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-870 sam Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:34:20 +0000 http://www.askthewaterdoctor.com/?p=248#comment-870 I've had a Merlin for 5 years and have been pretty happy with it. Our water is pretty mineral free to begin with but I like the peace of mind that RO provides. I do use it for beer brewing and cooking. Initially the unit did run continuously, but I called GE and they told me it was from the early filter designs. They sent me several replacement polishing filters and the issue went away. If I was buying a new system I would of course skip one that is discontinued and look for something else. The smaller RO tank systems however were never up to the task of giving me 20 gallons on brewday. I’ve had a Merlin for 5 years and have been pretty happy with it. Our water is pretty mineral free to begin with but I like the peace of mind that RO provides. I do use it for beer brewing and cooking.
Initially the unit did run continuously, but I called GE and they told me it was from the early filter designs. They sent me several replacement polishing filters and the issue went away.

If I was buying a new system I would of course skip one that is discontinued and look for something else. The smaller RO tank systems however were never up to the task of giving me 20 gallons on brewday.

]]> By: mark http://www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2009/11/ge-merlin-fact-of-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-869 mark Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:55:12 +0000 http://www.askthewaterdoctor.com/?p=248#comment-869 Robert & David, I wouldn't hold my breath on the new and improved Merlin. Here's the basic problem: When you have a "tankless" Reverse Osmosis System, you obviously have to have very large membranes. Two problems with large membranes are: 1. Tremendous TDS Creep, meaning that water quality will be greatly diminished; and 2. Very high cost for membranes. In my opinion, it is just plain dumb to use a system with membranes that are designed to deliver 700 GPD for an application where 5-10 gallons per day are needed, whether it from the USA, Taiwan, or Egypt! Bacteria problems can still exist in tankless systems and if that is an issue, you can add an in-line UV for a lot less money. Robert & David,

I wouldn’t hold my breath on the new and improved Merlin. Here’s the basic problem:

When you have a “tankless” Reverse Osmosis System, you obviously have to have very large membranes. Two problems with large membranes are:

1. Tremendous TDS Creep, meaning that water quality will be greatly diminished; and

2. Very high cost for membranes.

In my opinion, it is just plain dumb to use a system with membranes that are designed to deliver 700 GPD for an application where 5-10 gallons per day are needed, whether it from the USA, Taiwan, or Egypt!

Bacteria problems can still exist in tankless systems and if that is an issue, you can add an in-line UV for a lot less money.

]]> By: Robert http://www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2009/11/ge-merlin-fact-of-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-868 Robert Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:01:27 +0000 http://www.askthewaterdoctor.com/?p=248#comment-868 Hi Mark and David, I enjoyed reading your posts. I'm in the market for my first RO system and was all set to buy the Melin until I read your posts.... Mark, do you have any update on the "new and improved Merlin" that is mentioned in your post, e.g. when will it be available and what are the improvements? David, can you direct me to any information regarding the tankless RO system from Taiwan, e.g. specs, reviews, brochures, where to purchase etc. Your comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Robert Hi Mark and David,

I enjoyed reading your posts. I’m in the market for my first RO system and was all set to buy the Melin until I read your posts….

Mark, do you have any update on the “new and improved Merlin” that is mentioned in your post, e.g. when will it be available and what are the improvements?

David, can you direct me to any information regarding the tankless RO system from Taiwan, e.g. specs, reviews, brochures, where to purchase etc.

Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Robert

]]> By: David http://www.uswatersystems.com/blog/2009/11/ge-merlin-fact-of-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-867 David Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:59:58 +0000 http://www.askthewaterdoctor.com/?p=248#comment-867 Hello and a massive thanks to the Water Doc for the info on Merlin. This is what us consumers need more of the Truth!!! My first ro was a Merlin and I ditched it after a few months due to problems such as high TDS now thanks to you I know why. I have since invested a load of money in trying many different RO's and they are not without fault. Many issues with the 4 way shut off valve not working and also water constantly running down the waste pipe with now way to tell or warn the client. I now have my eye on a tankless RO system Compact 400gpd from Taiwan it is pricey but I like the idea of no tank to avoid bacteria buildup the downside is that it is powered by a powerful pump in order to get enough faucet flow. The upside is that it is a push and screw system which is very easy for my clients to change. If you have any views on this system please do let me know. Gratefully David Hello and a massive thanks to the Water Doc for the info on Merlin. This is what us consumers need more of the Truth!!! My first ro was a Merlin and I ditched it after a few months due to problems such as high TDS now thanks to you I know why. I have since invested a load of money in trying many different RO’s and they are not without fault. Many issues with the 4 way shut off valve not working and also water constantly running down the waste pipe with now way to tell or warn the client.

I now have my eye on a tankless RO system Compact 400gpd from Taiwan it is pricey but I like the idea of no tank to avoid bacteria buildup the downside is that it is powered by a powerful pump in order to get enough faucet flow. The upside is that it is a push and screw system which is very easy for my clients to change. If you have any views on this system please do let me know. Gratefully
David

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