Berky Water Filter .. broken filter repair ...

 I will do some Blogging of Projects  from time to time, Think I will call it the GadgetMe part of the blog.
What do ya think?


Well, since Berky thought it would be good to comment on our RO System and try to compare their system to a true purifying system, I have done a little research on some of their claims, it seems, that not all of the claims are totally true.. All I can say is do your own research on the net and decide for yourself  (if your are capable :)

I have a couple of black Berky filter elements that I have used with a couple food grade buckets.
The thought is, that if I need to filter some really nasty, algae, tainted water, I would use the Berky filters to take out the big stuff, so I would not plug up the finer RO filters, thus extending the life of the RO filters.

The Berky filters have a stem that they use to mount to the bottom of the container they are used in.



Well, being stored in the RV, being knocked around, I had one of the stems break off.
Not wanting to buy another filter element for $50.00 I decided to repair what I have.

Photo shows the stem with the wing-nut

The Repair

I cut the remaining stem off, flush with the housing.

Next using a drill, drilled hole the correct size to be able to tap 3/8" threads.

The 3/8" tap cutting threads to accept a nylon bolt

\

After making another trip to the big box (that put all  the small hardware stores out of business) store.
I picked up a couple 3/8" nylon bolts

This shows the bolt in the lathe (cheating a little) ready to drill a hole down the center.

The finished bolt
I now have a way to attach the element through the bucket, and able to store the element in the bucket between uses

The finished repair, I added a silicone washer for a little more stability when it is mounted.




I attended a "Show " last year where a Berky representative was there, I asked them if they were interested in knowing how their filter elements could be repaired ..
Response was ........ not interested (REALLY  ?)

Guess their only focus is on sales not customer service  .. OK by me ... that is what competitors are for.

So that is the Berky story from the Putz

Off-Grid Reverse Osmosis .. water purification

 I have had some discussions with folks who travel about water quality for drinking water, so do ever know what is in the water you are paying for?

About a year ago I had an extra Reverse Osmosis water purification system laying around.

Since, I have used one for purifying nasty well water for the last 10 years. It has been filtering out carbon, salt, and slime, and who knows what else, since there are major fracking operations all around this part of the country.

The reverse Osmosis makes the water drinkable for me ..

When traveling to "other " parts of the country I am very weary of "what they" put in the drinking water.
We know that "they" add chlorine gas, chlorimine chemical, fluoride, arsenic levels have been relaxed, plus other stuff they keep secret .. (not much trust here from where I stand)

Here is the latest design so far, the filter system is a standard RO filter system you can purchase at the big box stores, they are pricey.
 But, worth every penny.
  Last year, I  filtered thousands of gallons per year with the unit, it takes about 4 years of continuous use to plug up the original filter canisters, from a well using a whole house course filter as a primary filter.

I have added a 12 volt RV water pump to supply enough pressure to be able to push the purified water through the RO membrane.

Also installed is a switch to be able to turn off the pump as needed, I use Anderson connectors for the 12 volt electrical connections that come from a 12 volt deep cycle battery.

 The RV water pump is not self priming, So I found a cool little 12 volt marine pump used in boats for their sinks and showers, it is 12 volt power, and submersible, makes for a super priming pump.

Above is the RO purified is shown being collected in a 5 gallon water cooler.

 In a RO system there is water not filtered through the RO membrane, which is up to 95%, this is still highly filtered water, in the RV I use this water for general purposes, such as for washing dishes, toilet water, shower water, water that is not consumed internally.

During this run of purifying drinking water I am taking water from a holding tank through a garden hose, to the RO system, from the RO system the purified water is collected in the blue tank, the by pass water is filling the fresh water tank of the RV.

I have also used this system to purify water in the southwest using a plastic badder filled with water and carried to the  RV, with the suburban and using the Solar System in the Suburban to supply the necessary electrical power to run the filter system.

So, if you would like to purify water off- grid this is an alternative way to do so, I also have the Berkey System gravity filter that will work to take out most of the nasty stuff, but, I really do not trust a gravity system to remove some viruses, chemicals, and radiation.

GMO Beers ... do not drink

 A public service for my Beer Drinking friends

It figures that GMO has made it into some of our favorite beers.

Guess, I will now stop drinking Corona as a substitute for Whiskey, Although none of my past favorites of the Colorado micro brews are listed.  I cannot drink them either because of the yeast, it flares up my Gout.

8 Beers That You Should Stop Drinking Immediately

 Many of us choose what we eat very carefully, or at least dedicate our minimum attention to it. But when it comes to drinks, especially alcoholic beverages, we do little to make the best decisions for our health.

 

Here are the 8 beers that are commonly found in bars in United States that you should stop drinking immediately.

1. Newcastle Brown Ale

The Newcastle beer has been found to contain caramel coloring. Class 3 and 4 caramel coloring is made from ammonia, which is classified as a carcinogen. “The one and only” beer with cancer causing qualities.

2. Budweiser

 
One of the most popular beers, or most advertised is Budweiser. Budweiser contains genetically modified(GMO) corn. In 2007, Greenpeace discovered experimental GMO rice in Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) beer.

3. Corona Extra

I used to love Corona’s commercials. They were so peaceful and relaxing. That is until I found out that the beer contains GMO Corn Syrup and Propylene Glycol. Propylene Glycol is controversial, and is said to may be potentially harmful to your health.

4. Miller Lite

This is another very popular beer in America that contains GMOs. Miller Lite contains GMO corn and corn syrup. It’s “GMO time”.

5. Michelob Ultra

Less popular but still readily available Michelob beer, should be eliminated from your choices. This beer has been found to contain a genetically modified sweetener (GMO dextrose).

6. Guinness

 

Guinness is often praised for its smoothness.  However, several investigations proved that Guinness ingredients are quite disturbing. The beer  contains fish bladder and high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup has been long banned from many stores and drinks.

7. Coors Light

Coors light is a drink that is very popular at bars and among college students.  Mostly because it’s cheap. The beer contains GMO corn syrup.

8. Pabst Blue Ribbon

Pabst Blue Ribbon contains GMO corn and GMO corn syrup.

Healthy Beer Alternatives

So when it comes to beer you have to be very careful. Your best option is to find a microbrewery that you can trust. As with everything, try to avoid cheap, low-quality products. Bars may offer Coors Light, Miller Lite or Budweiser specials, but they are cheap for a reason. The rest of the world is banning GMOs everywhere, while USA is lagging years behind, and only several states offer GMO labeling laws. Try to stay away from any American beers. Choose organic beer. Beers that contain 100% organic labels, have to have ingredients that are all 100% organic. While an “organic” label just means 95% of it will be organic.  European beer is most likely to be safe from GMO ingredients but unfortunately, most other beer contains GMO artificial ingredients, stabilizers, grains and preservatives, plus, HFCS.

GMO Free Beers:

Organic Beers (Unpasteurized & Unfiltered)

• Wolaver’s – all beers
• Lamar Street – Whole Foods label (brewed by Goose Island)
• Bison – all beers
• Dogfish Head (organic when ingredients available)
• Fish Brewery Company – Fish Tale Ales
• Lakefront Brewery – Organic ESB
• Brooklyn – (organic when ingredients are available)
• Pinkus – all beers
• Samuel Smiths – Samuel Smiths Organic Ale
• Wychwood – Scarecrow Ale

Non-Organic Beers (Unpasteurized & Unfiltered)

• Sierra Nevada – all choices
• Duck Rabbit – Brown Ale, Porter, Amber Ale, Milk Stout
• Dogfish Head- 60 Minute IPA, Shelter Pale Ale, Chicory Stout
• Shipyard – Summer Brew
• Victory Brewery – Whirlwind
• North Coast – Blue Star
• Bridgeport – IPA (Bottle conditioned)
• Ayinger – all choices
• Royal Oak – Pale Ale
• Fraziskaner – Hefeweisse and Dunkel Weisse
• Weihenstephaner – Hefe Weissbier
• Maisel’s – Weisse
• Hoegaarden – Belgian Wit

Other

• Heineken
• Steamwhistle
• Amstel Light
• Duchy Original Ale Organic
• Mill Street Brewery
• Fuller’s Organic
• Nelson Organic Ale
• Natureland Organic

Via www.organics.org

Bundy Ranch ... and the new rules of engagement:

I bring you another point of interest, I have of the current non- propaganda news.

From Mike Adams, I like his web site for the Natural way to health and alternative news

Here is his latest...

A little of the article below (link to full story)

NaturalNews) In the aftermath of round one of the Bundy Ranch armed siege by the U.S. government, I have decided to offer the federal government an intelligent analysis of the new rules of engagement. People like Daniel P. Love, Special Agent in Charge of BLM Region 3, desperately need to review and learn these rules. Other federal agents also need to understand the tectonic shift of power that has just taken place and how it will impact their operations from here forward.

Why am I doing this? Because the BLM, through its astounding incompetence and arrogance, very nearly initiated a massacre at Bundy Ranch which would have been disastrous for the BLM agents actively engaged there. The incident very nearly came to a shooting war, and it is the outdated, ill-informed government playbook that inflamed the situation and brought it to a flashpoint of violence. At every step, BLM escalated the situation beyond reason: who brings snipers to a tortoise dispute? Who unleashes attack dogs on unarmed pregnant women and cancer survivors? The BLM, that's who!

 

Some more background

 

It's Official ... we are now fulltimers

We are full time RV'ers with a twist,

Since we still are trying too make a living without gov't intervention, we will be somewhat stationary during the "Pond  Season",

You may see more RV related posts in the future

Happy trails, from Putz, Sarge, Cody, Libby, JoieJ, & Charlie  two old farts, and 4 fur kids