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Old 31-07-2015, 05:06   #1
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Old watermaker - usable?

I'm looking at a boat with an ASC Coronado 480 gpd watermaker, last pickled prior to 1999. Is there anything salvageable or do I just deep six it?
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Old 31-07-2015, 05:29   #2
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

Surely the motor and even the pump could be good, hoses, filter housings, valves etc.
IF it has readily available membranes you may even could use the housings.
Just maybe you could get this thing working with a pump re-build and a set of membranes?
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Old 31-07-2015, 06:54   #3
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

This is the control panel
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Old 31-07-2015, 07:03   #4
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

It actually looks like a decent unit, hopefully the membranes are not proprietary. You should be able to get many years out of it , the science has not changed, it is not all that complicated of a process .

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Old 31-07-2015, 07:43   #5
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

RUN It! Find the manual and run it as if to pickle it. If it runs and doesn't leak like crazy, even if it does leak might be a fix with ALL new seals etc. But the motor and the High Pressure pumps are the big $$$ things. I would bet it works, just needs a rebuild. Membranes are available from Non OEM sources if the company has died. Russ.
PS You'll need new rubber gaskets, O Rings, seals etc and a new set of membranes, MINIMAL bu twayy cheaper than new unit..
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Old 31-07-2015, 07:56   #6
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

Haven't seen one of those in years. Can't hurt to run it. Almost guaranteed the membrane/s are shot. Electronics on this unit are notorious for failure in the long term. But it is an easy conversion to make this a manual system and bypassing the electronics if need be. Drop the pressure on the system before you start it and let it run that way for 20-30 minutes. This will tend to blow out any crud that may be able to be blown out. Then slowly bring it up to pressure (700-800psi) and see what happens. You may blow a hose or two, you may find the pumps won't come up to pressure. You also want to measure the brine output in gallons per minute to see if the system flows well enough. Even if you, and you're fairly handy, had to drop 1.5-2K in the system to get it working right it's not a bad investment. Anything more than 3K, and if you really want a watermaker it might be better to look for a new unit. Service and parts for this are going to be hard to come by.
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Old 31-07-2015, 08:02   #7
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

As a PS,

Post lots of pics showing all the components and your attempts at starting this watermaker and what you find. You'll get lots of responses on what others may think is the best approach to move forward with.


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Old 31-07-2015, 08:17   #8
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

I agree with the other comments. The unit appears to be
in good condition. Even if the membranes and membrane housings have to be replaced,and the pump rebuilt, you are still way ahead of the cost of a new water maker. (The sensor probe that measures product water salinity may also have to be replaced.)

The unit can be tested "as is" using the existing membranes. Even if
they do not produce high quality water, a test run will demonstrate correct operation of the high pressure pump and controls.

Prepare a 30 gallon plastic test tank (barrel) of artificial sea water using sea salt mix available at aquarium stores. Plumb the intake of the RO skid to the bottom of the test tank, and dump both the brine and product water back into the top of the test tank.

Install new paper filters in the raw water filter housings, open the high pressure control valve all the way, and fire up the unit according to
the directions in the manual.

Wear eye protection in case a hose or fitting on the high pressure side gives way during testing. (Before installing the water maker permanently, have the over-pressure protection devices tested by a professional.)

The high pressure pump should be able to reach 850 - 900 psi without difficulty if it is in good shape.

New generation sea water RO membranes are somewhat more efficient vs. previous versions. They have a higher "recovery" of fresh water from salt water when run at the same pressure. You may end up with a water maker with more production capacity than the original spec.

Oil in the feed water is the main enemy of RO membranes. Install an oil separator ahead of the RO unit, and never run the water maker in an oil polluted harbor.
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Old 31-07-2015, 08:31   #9
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

Deep six it! .... better still: I'll save you the trouble and take it off your hands for a small fee ... ;-)

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Old 31-07-2015, 08:44   #10
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Re: Old watermaker - usable?

Everything will likely be good except the membrane. Just replace that and give it a shot. You may find a lot of the water diagnostics give you way too many warnings, those can be bypassed. Pump could be bad possibly but you'll find out. Even if the pump has to be replaced its worth salvaging.
Watermakers are expensive, that one can surely be made to work.. 120V?
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