GE Merlin vs. Cleone RO Systems

Anyone familiar with these two Reverse Osmosis Systems? I'm trying to get more information on them before buying one of them. Thanks

 

Merlin info, specs, performance data, installation and maintenance manuals here ...
http://ohiopurewaterco.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=371

No experience with the Merlin or the Cleone ROs but for comparison these others have proved to be very competent and reliable at very good prices ...

Watts Premier TFM-5SV (direct from Watts Premier or @ Sams Club)
http://www.wattspremier.com/watts/showdetl.cfm?&DID=15&Product_ID=25&CATID=1

Watts Premier WP-5 (direct from Watts Premier or @ Costco)
http://www.wattspremier.com/watts/showdetl.cfm?&DID=15&Product_ID=162&CATID=1

And these (really nice) people give good RO and really know their stuff ...
http://www.pwgazette.com/roentry.htm

Both these companies offer free shipping.

You have to "copy & paste" the URLs as HTML is turned off on the DIY forums.

 

The Cleone model is a Swedish made RO the incorporates a holding tank. Replacement parts will be difficult to get as they are not readily marketed in the US as far as I know.

I think it is a counter top model that can be converted to a faucet dispenser. I wonder if these will work on fridge lines/ice makers?

The Merlin is a fine unit that uses no holding tank. It produces RO water on demand. It has a carbon block prefilter and TWO large membranes. They are big enough to have a continuous flow coming from them at about 1/2 gpm. They need a minimum of 60psi, though. Compare TDS and other minerals to manufacturer's specifications for production efficiency and flow rates.

They can save a little space for installation (no tank) but membranes are quite expensive...about 60% the cost of the unit.

These are available and replacement parts can be acquired through the internet.
Andy

 

I've got a Merlin sitting in a box in my kitchen, so I'll let you know what I think about it whenever I get a chance to install it.

 

I found out that the Merlin RO system is very sensitive to water pressure. This might cause the unit not to perform properly. Let me know if this is the case. As for the Cleone, the high cost ($1400-$1500) installed is the main reason not to consider this unit.

 

My pressure is a pretty consistant 70-75psi under normal use (no-low load conditions). If I have the lawn sprinkler full on, it drops to ~60psi. These are pretty good values for the Merlin, apparently, so it should work reasonably well. Well, we'll see.

 

So far, so good. I'm getting ~ .5gal/min. A tank system would not have fit in the space I have the Merlin (under an island sink), and I can get 8 gallons in ~15min, which would be impossible with a tank system.

We'll see how long the filters last (they claim 3ys for the RO membranes). I already have a wholehouse carbonblock filter, so in addition to the merlins prefilter, I "should " get good life out of them.

 

So, Reddart, a year later, what's your opinion of the Merlin. I'm thinking of getting one.

 

Hi,

What do you think about it's membrane? According to it's flow rate I think it shoud be same as Ultrafiltration membrane.

 

A UF membrane system tends to produce greater volumes of water at lower influent pressure but also allows greated TDS to pass through, including some salts.

What makes the Merlin produce more water from it RO membrane is the required 60psi minimum influent pressure and the fact that there are two, rather large membranes instead of the typical small one most residential systems have.

Those factors tend to explain why it can produce 1/2 gpm steady supply or about 700+ gallons per day.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II