Answer: Signs of pump damage from continuous operation: (1) Unusual noises: Grinding, squealing, or rattling sounds instead of smooth humming; (2) Reduced pressure: Tank takes much longer to fill than before (>3 hours for full tank); (3) Excessive heat: Pump body extremely hot to touch even after 15 minutes off; (4) Intermittent operation: Pump starts and stops erratically or struggles to start; (5) Electrical smell: Burning odor from pump motor area. Duration risk: Pumps can typically handle 2-3 hours continuous operation without damage. After 4-6 hours, damage probability increases significantly. After 8+ hours, permanent damage is very likely. Testing: After fixing auto-cut, listen to pump operation carefully for first few cycles. Normal pump should run smoothly for 10-20 minutes to fill tank, then shut off cleanly. Damaged pump will sound rough and may trip MCB.

Answer: This is actually a different problem called "short cycling." True auto-cut failure = pump runs continuously without stopping. Short cycling = pump stops briefly (2-10 seconds) then restarts immediately in a rapid cycle. Causes of short cycling: (1) Tank air pressure too HIGH: Over-inflated tank (>10 PSI) triggers switch too quickly. Solution: Release air to 6-8 PSI. (2) Faulty pressure switch contacts: Switch bouncing between on/off positions. Solution: Replace switch. (3) Check valve leaking: Pressure builds momentarily then drops as water flows backward. Solution: Replace check valve. (4) Air in system lines: After service or filter changes. Solution: Run 2-3 full tanks to purge air. Short cycling is equally harmful to pump as continuous running - the frequent start/stop cycles stress the motor. Should be fixed promptly (same ₹500-₹1,200 repair cost range).

Answer: Not recommended as a long-term solution. While turning off power manually prevents immediate damage, this approach has serious drawbacks: (1) Inconvenience: You must monitor tank status constantly and remember to turn power on/off - impractical for daily life; (2) Forgotten cycles: Forgetting to turn off = continuous running and damage. Forgetting to turn on = no water when needed; (3) Reduced water quality: Stagnant water in tank for extended periods without fresh cycles can develop bacterial growth; (4) Missed leak detection: If system develops leak, you won't know until manually checking; (5) No automatic refill: After using water, you must remember to turn power back on for refilling. Better approach: If you can't afford immediate repair (₹500-₹1,700), at least implement DIY fixes (tank air pressure check = free, wire connection check = free). These fix 40-50% of cases at zero cost. Manual power control should only be very temporary emergency measure (1-2 days maximum) while arranging proper repair.

Answer: Typical wastage: 50-150 liters per day depending on RO purification rate and reject ratio. Here's the math: RO purification rate = 10-15 liters/hour. Reject ratio = 3:1 to 4:1 (3-4 liters rejected per 1 liter purified). If pump runs continuously 24 hours: Purified water = 240-360 liters/day (most overflows). Reject water = 720-1,440 liters/day. Actual wasted reject = 50-150 liters after accounting for overflow and reduced efficiency. Should you collect reject water? Yes, until repair is done: (1) Route reject pipe to bucket instead of drain; (2) Use collected reject water for mopping, gardening, toilet flushing, vehicle washing; (3) Change bucket every 4-6 hours to prevent overflow; (4) Reject water TDS is typically same as input water (not harmful, just not purified). Environmental impact: 100 liters/day wasted = 3,000 liters/month = enough drinking water for 15 people. Reusing reject water during auto-cut failure period is environmentally responsible while you arrange repair.

Answer: If tank has proper air pressure (6-8 PSI when empty) but auto-cut still fails, systematically eliminate: Step 1 - Wire connections: Open RO unit, check all wires to pressure switch and solenoid valve are firmly connected and not corroded. Step 2 - Tap test: With tank full, open RO tap 25% while pump is running. If pump stops within 20 seconds, pressure switch works (problem is tank/check valve). If pump keeps running, switch has failed. Step 3 - Check valve test: Close inlet water supply. Open RO tap and fully drain tank. Close tap and wait 5 minutes. Open tap again - if water flows, check valve is leaking backward (needs replacement). If no water, check valve is OK. Step 4 - If all above are OK but auto-cut still fails: 80% probability = high-pressure switch failure. 15% probability = solenoid valve stuck open. 5% probability = sensing tube blockage. At this point, professional diagnosis is cost-effective (₹500-₹800 for complete diagnostic) rather than guessing and replacing parts randomly.

Answer: Depends on warranty status and component type: If under warranty (< 1 year): MUST use OEM parts and authorized service to maintain warranty coverage. Third-party parts void warranty. If out of warranty: Decision based on component: Pressure switch: Compatible third-party switches work fine (₹150-₹250 vs ₹300-₹400 OEM). Pressure switches are standardized - universal 40/60 PSI switches fit most brands. Solenoid valve: Mixed results with compatible parts. Better to use OEM or high-quality universal brand (₹600-₹800 vs ₹400-₹500 generic). Cheap solenoids fail within 6-12 months. Storage tank: OEM tanks expensive (₹1,800-₹2,500). Compatible tanks (₹1,200-₹1,500) work equally well if food-grade certified. Check for NSF/ISI certification. Check valve: Universal food-grade check valves (₹80-₹120) work perfectly - very standardized component. Professional recommendation: For critical components like solenoid valve, spend extra ₹200-₹300 for OEM quality to avoid repeat failures. For simple components like check valve and pressure switch, compatible parts are fine if from reputable supplier.

Answer: Decision framework based on total repair cost: Repair if total cost < ₹2,500: (e.g., pressure switch + solenoid = ₹1,200-₹1,700). RO should run another 2-3 years. Good value. Consider replacement if repair >₹3,500: (e.g., pump + tank + switch = ₹3,500-₹5,000). New basic RO costs ₹6,000-₹8,000. Repair gives you 6-12 months more from aging unit, new unit gives 5+ years. Definitely replace if repair >₹5,000: At this point, you're essentially rebuilding the RO. Better to buy new with warranty. Age considerations: (1) 5-6 year old RO: If only auto-cut failure (₹500-₹1,700 fix), worth repairing. If multiple failures (pump + valves + tank), consider replacement. (2) 3-4 year old RO: Almost always worth repairing unless catastrophic damage. (3) 7+ year old RO: Even minor repairs questionable - newer models are more efficient and have better features. Other factors: Modern ROs (2023-24 models) have TDS controllers, UV+RO, mineralizers - significant upgrade from 6-year-old models. If your usage has changed (larger family), new higher-capacity model may be better investment than repairing small old unit.

Answer: Normal auto-cut timing after successful repair: Tank filling from empty: Pump should run continuously for 60-120 minutes (1-2 hours) to completely fill an 8-10 liter tank at normal RO purification rate (10-15 LPH). This is normal - do not expect faster filling. After using 1-2 liters: Pump should run for 8-15 minutes to refill those 2 liters, then shut off automatically. After using half tank (4-5 liters): Pump runs for 30-45 minutes to refill. What happens at auto-cut: (1) You'll hear pump motor stop humming; (2) Reject water flow stops completely; (3) No water sounds from RO unit; (4) When you open tap slightly, just a trickle flows (pump restarts if you open fully). Testing proper auto-cut function: Let tank fill completely and pump shut off. Wait 30 minutes. Go to RO and listen - complete silence. Check reject drain - zero water flow. Open tap briefly - water flows from tank but pump doesn't start (unless you drain >1 liter). This confirms auto-cut is working correctly. If pump restarts during any of these tests without significant water usage, auto-cut issue may not be fully resolved.