Review on Efficient Disinfection Sterilizer: iSpring UVF11A – 110 Volt Ultima by Doug Virden

I bought this UV sanitizer for use with APEC essence which was also bought from Revain. My spring water is around 60psi and a TDS of 100-150ppm and the unit reduces it to 2-5ppm. It was easy to install and came with clamps to mount the last stage return filter. The documentation isn't very good - it mostly comes assembled. The manual mentions tightening the knurled nuts for maintenance, but I haven't moved them at all, at least not with my bare hands. Not sure if this will be an issue in the future as they mention taking it apart to check size. The incoming water is so clean I doubt it will be a problem. For now, you don't have to worry about the ends. All you have to do is attach a rubber boot/wire connector to one end of the lamp and connect the other end of the lamp to the other two ports using the cable provided - and this is my first issue with the unit. The only way to make it work is to run the wire right next to the lamp and dip it in UV light, which will likely damage the plastic over time. You don't want any residue on the UV lamp as it tends to fog up (e.g. from fingerprints) and the wire likely contains plasticizers which will outgas over time. They may have used a special plastic, but there was nothing special about it. The only salvation here is the thread switch, which at least doesn't always run, which causes the second problem. The flow switch is announced to run for 2 minutes after the flow stops. It's not like that - in my hands it stops as soon as the flow stops. Other reviewers have also mentioned this. I don't think this is a big problem as I usually let the water run for a bit before taking water, but it's not as advertised. If I can use a 4 pin connector with a 4 pin bulb I will do so next time I change bulbs. Not sure if this will work - polarity is correct but a 'layered' case with a recess where the 2 pins of the wire connected to the opposite end of the bulb connect. However, Philips manufactures lamps of this family with this connector (included TUV 11W G5, 4-pin - TUV 11W 4P SE). Btw their price is a bit high just for the bulb - they charge $30 at the time of this review and you can find them for $10-15 elsewhere. They seem to be sold in packs of 32 but there are people buying them on ebay for almost the price. I don't think $30 is unfair for convenience, but be aware it's not the lowest price. I would expect a lamp to last well under 8000 hours as ignition is generally the hardest part for this type of lamp and many survive. A $100 product needs to be a little better thought out. Plugged in, no leaks. I have no reason to rate the sterilization, and to be honest it's a drain of pretty clean city water, but the bulb works fine.