Cruise RO 30 - multiple problems

[Outsideworld]

I have a Cruise RO 30 watermaker that has me scratching my head. It has worked well for months. I was always getting a flow rate of .55 gpm and about 270 ppm. Last week while at anchor everything changed. I am now getting a flow rate of .4 gpm with about 380 ppm.

The exact day that all of this started another weird thing happened. In the past my low pressure pump was always at zero at startup. I had to close the low pressure valve it almost all of the way to get to the 10 psi to start the high pressure pump. Now when I start the low pressure pump it starts at zero but then jumps to 25 psi even with the valve completely open. It will not go below that at all.

Rich at Cruise RO has been helpful but says these two are not related at all and I need a new high pressure pump. It is a triplex plunger pump by General Pump Company.

Hoping that someone may have another idea before I pay a stupid amount to get a new pump shipped to Bahamas.

[Pelagic]

Listen to Rich

[johnny AoB]

Listen to Rich

[kmacdonald]

Listen to Rich.

[john61ct]

OMG never before have I seen such a consistent consensus!

I have to admit just looking at the title, I was asking myself, "why doesn't he ask Rich?"

8-D

[evm1024]

I think that you should decide which caliber handgun you will shoot it with after you trash it with your mantus/rocna/sarca/spade/cqr anchor after placing it on your radar screen with an attached AIS while holding a sextant while using LED lighting powered by 12, 24, 36, 48 ( but not 725 KV ) volt system.

But if that does not appeal to you I would suggest that Rich has offered the lowest cost option.

Listen to Rich!


(I just could not help myself)

[alansmith]

Rich never goes for the buck. He goes for honest solutions. Painful isn’t it?

[Paul L]

How old is the unit?

[Outsideworld]

Originally Posted by Paul L

How old is the unit?

Thanks Paul for asking. The unit was installed in 2015. I do plan to “listen to Rich” but also wanted to do my best to troubleshoot before spending &2000. We are in the Exumas, Bahamas so getting anything shipped is nearly impossible.

[Spade Anchor]

Originally Posted by Outsideworld

Thanks Paul for asking. The unit was installed in 2015. I do plan to “listen to Rich” but also wanted to do my best to troubleshoot before spending &2000. We are in the Exumas, Bahamas so getting anything shipped is nearly impossible.

I can recommend an excellent Freight Forwarder, very efficient.- John Perry 321-750-8800.

Almost forgot .... Listen to Rich!

[artisanmach]

If you're handy get a pump rebuild kit and repair it yourself. General has the kits on the shelf.

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by evm1024

I think that you should decide which caliber handgun you will shoot it with after you trash it with your mantus/rocna/sarca/spade/cqr anchor after placing it on your radar screen with an attached AIS while holding a sextant while using LED lighting powered by 12, 24, 36, 48 ( but not 725 KV ) volt system. While capsizing your catamaran and simultaneously having the keel fall off your monohull!

But if that does not appeal to you I would suggest that Rich has offered the lowest cost option.

Listen to Rich!

(I just could not help myself)

Oh yes, Listen to Rich.

[S/V Alchemy]

This thread is both hilarious and an endorsement.

Stuff breaks/goes pear-shaped. You're getting good advice for your unfortunate and unlucky situation. Listen to Rich.

[sailcrazy]

We've had issues with our CruiseRO 30gph watermaker from the start....the problems have always centered around the boost pump. We now have 3 of them, and I have multiple rebuild kits (ft end and back end). I've tried to rebuild just the ft end (valves kit) but it never seems to work, so now I just assume I need to put both kits in. The watermaker/boost pump pressures also seems to be somewhat sensitive to dirty filters, and act carbon filters with to small a micron rating......we bought some rated at 0.5mic (now replaced with 5.0micron filters) and they made for some strange pressures during FWW. BUT....in ALL CASES, I've called or emailed Rich, he's set me on a path that had always worked, and I trust him for the correct answer to an issue. Like's been said...listen to Rich!

[Panacea2183]

Originally Posted by Outsideworld

I have a Cruise RO 30 watermaker that has me scratching my head. It has worked well for months. I was always getting a flow rate of .55 gpm and about 270 ppm. Last week while at anchor everything changed. I am now getting a flow rate of .4 gpm with about 380 ppm.

The exact day that all of this started another weird thing happened. In the past my low pressure pump was always at zero at startup. I had to close the low pressure valve it almost all of the way to get to the 10 psi to start the high pressure pump. Now when I start the low pressure pump it starts at zero but then jumps to 25 psi even with the valve completely open. It will not go below that at all.

Rich at Cruise RO has been helpful but says these two are not related at all and I need a new high pressure pump. It is a triplex plunger pump by General Pump Company.

Hoping that someone may have another idea before I pay a stupid amount to get a new pump shipped to Bahamas.

Had a similar situation.
I wouldn’t second guess Rich.
That being said;
380 PPM is OK according to world health organization.
That’s about the best I get in the Exumas with my Cruise RO system (30 gal/hr).
My flow however remains @ 5. Gal/min.
Cruised 2 years ago with 500 PPM (had spare parts but didn’t want to mess with it over there). Both my pumps have gone for 3 seasons and still going.
Also how old is your test meter? Had to replace mine was getting bad readings.
Cruise RO & Rich are the Bomb! Highly recommend them.
I would not worry about 380 PPM, my tap water in Cape Coral Fl is 400+
Keep an eye on it and have a back up plan if if craps out altogether