H2O 300 concentrator question

[Johnjenner]

I have a H2O 300 concentrator question. I’m having a hard time getting it to start initially. It seems like it has a vapor lock. Not sure if anyone else has ever run into this and if you have what did you do to resolve it?

[maple flats]

I don't have an H2O but just explain exactly what you are doing. What hoses or pipes connect to what, and last, is the needle valve open?

[Hop Kiln Road]

The primary pump sometimes will not prime itself. Try filling the strainer bowl and the feed line and make sure you have some head pressure from your feed tank . Once you get liquid to the main pump it will blow the air out of the rest of the system. Make sure your concentrator valve is wide open.

[Johnjenner]

So the feed line is set up just like it is for my Deer Run reverse osmosis machine. The only difference is that the H2O is horizontal and the Deer Run is vertical. I’ve noticed that when the H2O concentrator is shut off all the fluid drains out of it. The process that the manufacture gives is to hook the feedline up to the feed line access, the concentrate and the permeate lines to there respective locations and turn the start button until the second pump kicks on. Then it will stay on automatically. Once I get it going It runs fine. It just seems like with the initial start up in the morning sometimes it will take 10 minutes of turning the start button until it actually starts moving liquid. We’ve tried raising the feedline hose above the entrance into the pump and it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Have also tried laying the permeate and concentrate lines on the ground so there is no back pressure and that seems to make no difference either

[maple flats]

Have you noticed anything that changes when it finally starts to flow, other than the flow? It sounds like it's a priming issue, maybe at least to start you need to elevate the source above the inlet on the RO. Once it does start does it ever lose prime and quit pumping? If yes, there is likely a small leak you haven't found. Maybe a small aux. pump to feed the "concentrator". Even a small diaphragm pump might solve the issue.