KENT Pearl RO Water Purifier (11098) | RO+UV+UF+TDS Control | Wall Mountable| Zero Water Wastage | Transparent Detachable Tank | Patented Mineral…

 I have had experience of kent pearl since 2012.its at my parents home and now i got it installed at mine.

I have high respects for kent.

About product
It’s as depicted in the app.
I did think of purchasing it at retail stores after seeing the reviews but then not all reviews were bad so i gave it a shot and also it was 1000rs cheaper so got it at 17000rs during the sale on Amazon.

It was delivered on time,
They said that they will call for installation but i didn’t want to wait so i made a call for installation and technician arrived the next day.
Also i realised something from online shopping, it’s best to open the content and see how the product is as soon as possible, otherwise there will be discrepancy in returning the item if arrived damaged. And because i didn’t want to void the warranty by opening the package by my self so i made an installation call.
Thankfully everything arived in good condition
Technician was polite yet insisting on getting a pre filter and as i have used kent for 10years and we are a family of 3 we do not have a pre filter. We get the candles changed 2year once. Hardly cost 3000.
i check it when the technicians come to change, if the part can be used then i ask them to not change it. UV light and all are not necessarily changed until any phisical damage.
So been using it since 4days. Is working well
Free installation.
Remember that you don’t have to get pre filter if you don’t want. If feel the need,then get it at your next servicing. Check how long does your filters work before pre filters, if more than a year then i think its waste to get pre filters. Coz you have to change its memberanes every year anyway.

1) ESTABLISHED DRINKING WATER STANDARDS :
The U.S. recommended maximum TDS level is 500 mg/L,the Canadian guideline suggests less than 1, 000 mg/L, and the EC maximum admissible concentration (MAC) is 1,500 mg/L (for “dry residues”).The EC standards also list numbers for calcium (guide level of 100 mg/L) any magnesium (guide level of 30 mg/L., and MAC of 50 mg/L), and a minimum for hardness (minimum required concentration for softened water of 60 mg/L as Ca), and alkalinity (minimum required concentration for softened water of 30 mg/L HCOr). However, there is no health criteria documentation for these advisories.
BIS Standard says that the maximum desirable TDS is 500 mg/L and the maximum permissible level in the absence of a better source is 2000 mg/L. A related standard is the ‘hardness measured as CaCO3″ where the maximum desirable is 300 mg/L and maximum permissible is 600 mg/L..

2) CRITICAL PARAMETERS:
TDS = total dissolved solids = mass of solids that are dissolved in the water milligrams /litre (mg/l) or in parts per million (ppm).
TURBIDITY = in water, it means cloudness or LACK OF transparency as a result of suspended solids measurement units is NTU.
(These upper limits are given in specification of water purifier , these parameters of your water is to be within capability limits of water purifier)

3) MAINTENANCE:
Unfortunately these can not be designed for maintenance free. The filters (they are like consumables) are to be replaced on condition basis (at least when flow becomes very low or nil) the life of filter is based on your water quality and quantity (e.g. in my case with turbidity <5 NTU & TDS <175mg/L & 7 liters per day consumption, the service person says it may last for 3 years). UV lamp will have some life in running hours. The balance parts are expected to be maintenance Free or long lasting.
This is applicable to all such filters, but the water flow may not be stopped even if the filter becomes ineffective in case non RO/ UF type filters. So the filters have limited life (in some models chemicals cartridges are used , but they will also be consumed). The cost of the maintenance depends on technology used. e.g. without power models < sediment+Carbon+UV < sediment+Carbon+UF+UV < sediment+Carbon+RO+TDSC UF+UV

4) TARGET PARAMETERS
TDS of 25-75mg/L is considered to be ideal for drinking water and 75-150 is considered acceptable for drinking , both preferable with UV disinfection.

5) TECHNOLOGY & INITIAL LIST :
a) Sediment+Carbon+UV (Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Classic UV Water Purifier) Sediment+Carbon+UF+UV (Kent Maxx) . they are considered since my locality of water supply with Turbidity <5NTU & TDS <175 PPM, I as a replacement to our 11 year old Eureka Forbs Designa (SF&CF+UV) UV fused, UV Sensor not working , Board Burnt etc with a consideration to WHO advice against just RO (but not against RO+TDS) . But some times , due to some problems, the TDS of the water supply is raising to 465 to 625 ppm and turbidity is also rising. initially I had choosen Kent Maxx from Amazon but the delivery got delayed . During this period, it came to my notice, there is a TDS control mechanism in present RO systems. Hence the following tech came under consideration.

b) Sediment Filter+Carbon filter +RO+UF+UV with TDS.
The Models Under initial consideration are RO systems of Kent (all), Livpure PEP Star RO+UV+UF Water Purifier (Purple), Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Enhance 7-Litre RO+UV Water Purifier (Advanced RO + UV + TDS regulator purification?), Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Reviva 8-Litre Water Purifier and numerous Local brands like AquaFlow (Auagrand plus etc).
Local brands are eliminated though they are very cheap, the water flows through various plastic parts which are difficult to judge even it is of very low quality , untill some false odour comes. strength is another aspect. When comes to eureka forbs RO enhance , its specifications are not transparent (mineral guard, magic cartridge, but how TDS is controlled (as claimed ) neither well explained nor water flow circuit is authenticated nor understandable nor their technical person was able to clarify me the claims. At least it was a mistery for me. Personally I do not like to have addition of minerals through some mineral cartridge, hence such models i did not consider. Same is with Aquaguard Reviva whether they have two models one for low TDS and other for high TDS is not clear, if not, then how it adjusts TDS is not known. Almost i have finalized “Livpure PEP Star RO+UV+UF Water Purifier (Purple)” as It appaers from it’s water circuit drawing it also uses word “taste enhancer + Flow restrictor” but appears to be a bypass valve over RO for keeping natural required level of TDS. However It has Antiscalant Catridge , which i did not like as it may be of some chemicals. However, when it comes to Kent, it is very transparent about its water circuit, even details of individual parts and part numbers are given. It has also provided electrical sketch and their part numbers. From the analysis of all kent water purifier range, about 80% of the parts are inter changeable [my approx observation is 100% parts made interchangeable with 90% of models (incl Kent Maxx ) without any harm to equipment or water quality]. Further Kent parts are widely available even on online.

6) SHORT LIST:
Final list was with Kent Ace (Rs13300) (not Ace+ which does not have UV) , Kent Pearl (Rs15300), Livpure PEP Star (Rs11300), meanwhile i made call to Kent Service center, they advised me to go with Kent Pearl with additional PreFilter (Rs 850) in view of the following factors like
a) Reputed & proven brand, b) comparatively low maintenance cost, c) user removable water storage tank, d) its popularity ( many kent perls got installed in my locality ), e) it has Auto Flushing system to flush RO filter leading to higher life. f) To my query , if any entry of ants or tiny cokroaches into the storage tank can happen , they have replied that it was solved long back just after initial version ( later while installation I found it true, we have put the lid properly & machine top cover firmly, small click sound will come ). g) the service center is also having distribution center & offered at Rs16500 including pre filter.

DECISION:
We can not take chance with drinking water and most cannot afford costly repeated purchases, hence doing a sufficient analysis may be better in case of critical items. All my family members zeroed on Kent Perl after discussion, they felt it is beautiful also .The service person had reached along with the piece (from 40KM away) on motor cycle with cash after installation basis. It took around 1.5 hours for installation . I have observed that the service person quickly bypassed the low pressure switch. He measured the TDS of incoming water to and out put water from kent pearl. Incoming was 180 ppm and out put 20 ppm , on my advice he adjusted to 70ppm (his suggestion was 40 to 90 ppm). On my request he connected earlier bypassed pressure switch (on new machine it was working with pressure switch with 0.07 ksc, supply tank on single floor roof) as my area fresh water supply pressure was well above 0.6 kg/sqcm. No leakage or seepage was observed from any of the joints including company made joints even after booster pump (e.g. every filter has two water pipe joints …). It is taking about 40 minutes to fill the drinking water storage tank of Pearl. I have checked with HM brand TDS meter (Rs300) many times. Water TDS is beng reduced to 60 – 80 ppm depending on input water quality. There after installation, many follow up calls received from their call center about service center’s performance.

So overall reduction of TDS, incl its UF Filtration, UV functions appears to be working well. After this process, water appears to be little bit sweetened.
The way we use: we have connected it to fresh water supply (1.5 Hr duration water supply). first 5 min we allow flush through the tap , now power supply to Kent Pearl will be made on. Once the storage tank is full it will auto off. Later we will power off . If we forget to power off , the pressure switch will off the UV lamp , Pump, Solenoid Valves etc (but SMPS will be on), we feel a way better than always on. however when relatives come we have adopt suitable strategy.
Future proof: if we get very low TDS water like 100 to 150 ppm (eg. After change over water supply line to hdpe pipes etc ), the machine appears to be easily downgradable to Kent Maxx like configuration by passing booster pump & RO filter etc and reduce maintenance costs.

Cons:
i) The hooking portion of body is fiber only (no metal reinforcement, may be capable, only time will tell.)
ii) Cost is 2K higher than Ace (but Ace does not have auto flush), 4k higher than livpure
iii) TDS control Valve with adjusting screw is inside & sensitivity is high, not easily adjustable by user (trial & error), but I have re-adjusted once.
iv) No beep after tank is full (but it will be off itself, may not be required for always online connection)
v) though it has a user removal water storage tank, we have to be careful such as opening the machine top cover to the required level, care to be taken while removing tank lid not to touch or poul with water livel switch, the same is while tank removal. It is better to empty the tank through tap and another person holding the top cover of machine to the required height, while removal of lid / tank.
vi) if water consists of harmful chemicals like floride etc , very small part of it mixes ( as a bypass water ) after RO membrane to maintain natural TDS. If water contains harmful chemicals in addition to natural minerals, it is better to go full flow through ro membrane model with later mixing of artificial minerals.

Excellent M/c at present (1 week of observation), if any deviation is observed i wall keep editing .
At last but not least thanks to amazon for taking return kent maxx (receipt refused) and sorry for not purchasing kent pearl from them.

Edit1: 22.08.16 : 5 weeks passed – Working flawless in above conditions.
Edit2: 12.09.16: I can confirm that ants or cocroches cannot enter the removable water storage tank as the lid (photo attache) fully seals it.

Edit3 : as on 17.10.2016: 3 months passed – Working flawless in above input water TDS of 175ppm and partial online conditions. Now i am happy that i have not missed such better product due to – ve critism which is mostly on either installation service or maintenance ( due to severe very high TDS borewell water) .

Edit 4: as on 19.02.2017 , 7 months passed , working flawless like new . My next update will be when I change any consumable or face any defect.
Thank you for reading the review

Edit 5: As on 31.03.2018 (1 year, 8 months) it is working without any defects. However just before 1 year of purchase completes (at 11th month) I have called Kent for checkup. On the following day I had received called from service centre asked about the defects , I told him defects not known but as warranty is going to expire requested thorough check up including output water TDS. Further I have requested him to bring 2 nos original Prefilter (Extra item) cartridges (2x Rs 400). Service person reached next day, checked and found OK but preventively he removed many cartridges , mildly tapped and reverse flushed, some dirt removed. The Prefilter cartridge colour changed , it got clogged (visible). The Prefilter (extra item) cartridge replaced with above new one. But the quality of spare cartridge is not same as that of original, end connections are inferior and cloth layers are missing. On my query service person opened internet and tried prove as original but he could not , it has the same quality as that of Rs 100 generic . Hence I have taken only one. I have removed end caps , cloth of removed (clogged original) cartridge , thoroughly washed , reverse flushed and assembled, now it is ready as a spare for next replacement. Meanwile I got transferred to a new place in Aug 2017 and I got it installed through Kent (Rs 400) . However here the TDS of water is 400 to 600 and with heavy visible impurities. But by 2 months, the quality water supply started improving (tds 220, visibly clear). As some ROs of neighbours got defective which are working in above severe conditions more than 6 months, but mine is working ok means reverse flush facility of this model may be helping. Now I am planning a paid preventive inspection in April 2018.

Edit 6: Service person visited on 06.04.2018 subsequent to my contact to service centre on 05.04.2018 for preventive inspection. He opened the unit and done replacement of Prefilter cartridge (Rs300) as it’s colour changed to brownish with lot of sticky material on it ( if Prefilter not installed , probably it could have damaged sediment filter , which is costly). He tapped the sediment filter while it is being reverse flushed. He adjusted TDS to 103, cleaned the water storage tank of RO with lime and boxed up. Service charge was Rs 300. Recently I have purchased a high / low voltage cut off with 20 milli second response time with 2 min tdr from Perfect as additional safety (photo attached)

Edit 7: Service person visited on 17.02.2019 subsequent to my contact to service centre on 17.02.2019 (Sunday) for preventive inspection. He opened the unit and done replacement of Prefilter cartridge (Rs300) as it’s colour changed to brownish with lot of sticky material on it same as last time (photo attached and it is given for testing it may be excess Alum). He tapped the sediment filter while it is being reverse flushed. He adjusted TDS from 70 to 110. Service charge was Rs 300.

Recently ants have entered the water storage tank , on close observation, the lid was not closed properly. After firm placement of lid (with its sealing gasket at port) as shown in attached photo this problem solved, it may be seen there is no gap between mating top cover and tank (almost less than 0.06mm) so that it ensures inner cover with port and gasket seats properly.

During cleaning handle magnetic ritz water level switch very care fully , do not rotate the float at speed, do not bend , if float is removed fit it in same direction as original otherwise it will malfunction.

Update as on 01.10.2020, 4years and 6 weeks passed still it is going strong, due to covid19, i have changed my self cartridge of Additional Pre-filter ,twice after last service. Aligning of the cartridge at center of casing so that inlet will leak into outlet cartridge (not to bypass) and air venting to avoid cavitation of pump (abnormal sound) are important
The equipment to be hanged in straigt without any tilting towards any side or front to facilitate proper functioning of magnetic water level cutoff switch.
As storage tank is transparent, any fungus on it is easily visible for timely cleaning.

Update on 05.10.2020 tap became defective as spring got broken (photo attached), the broken spring is replaced with ordinary similar size and appearance tap purchased online whose plastic parts are not food grade.

Update on 20.10.2021, 5 years and 9 weeks passed, it is still going strong with care taken as mentioned above and replacement of Prefilter cartridge replacements periodically 4 to 6 months @rs 100 to 200 per cartridge depending on brand.

Good product, but not received any call from kent. Waited for 4 days and installed ourself.