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Old 30-07-2013, 09:03   #1
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Schenker Watermaker Problem

Hi


I have just installed a schenker smart 30 watermaker.

It worked ok for an hour, then the low pressure pump started turning on and off and production fell away and ppm rose.

I have spent 5 days checking every connection and re positioning the hoses so the rise from inlet to pump is a little as possible (8").

It ran ok again today for an hour then started cycling again.

Schenker have been helpful with suggestions , but i am at my wits end!

Anyone else come across this problem?

Charlie
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Old 30-07-2013, 12:15   #2
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Re: Schenker watermaker problem

Several things can be the possible culprit.

Is the feed pump cycling on and of every couple of seconds or is it shutting down and then starts back up after 10-20 minutes?
Is your cooling fan unobstructed?
What are the pressures on your feed pump gauge before it shuts down?
Have you checked the voltage at the units input terminals after it has been running for a while and before it shuts down? (if it shuts down in about an hour, check the voltages at about 45 minutes before it does)
Have you tested and correctly set the pressure sensor?
Have you checked to make sure there is no obstruction in the thru hull?
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Old 30-07-2013, 12:19   #3
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Thanks for the ideas.


It cycles on and off every few seconds with very low reject and product water.

No obstructions.

Since posting i have been pondering and i think i may have used too light a wire to connect it! I will strip out and replace with heavier gauge tomorrow .

I bought the schenker to replace our katadyn 40 which had just become a pain, i used the same wire !! DOH.

Fingers crossed!
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Old 30-07-2013, 12:23   #4
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Re: Schenker watermaker problem

If it cycles on and off every few seconds and all else is right with the system then the pressure sensor is either set wrong or is malfunctioning.
Wire sizing is very important. If you tell me how long your wire run is from your power source to the unit and back I can tell you what size the wire needs to be as well.
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Old 30-07-2013, 12:27   #5
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Altogether, wire run is 7meters.
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Old 30-07-2013, 12:27   #6
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Thats 7m each way!
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Old 30-07-2013, 12:51   #7
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Re: Schenker watermaker problem

That's going to be a #4 wire.

Remember these are constant running pumps that use a lot of heat, thus the heat sink and cooling fan.
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Old 30-07-2013, 14:02   #8
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Thanks tellie, will let you know how i get on!


Charlie.
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Old 20-08-2013, 08:33   #9
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Turns out the pressure sensor was not set correctly, gave the adjuster a half turn clockwise and it seems to work ok now.

Thanks for the advice

Charlie.
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Old 21-08-2013, 07:15   #10
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Re: Schenker watermaker problem

Glad it was a simple fix. You may have to turn it a bit more if the surrounding salinity and temperature changes as you move around. Another half turn should do it if needed.
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Old 20-01-2014, 18:09   #11
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Re: Schenker Watermaker Problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulaire View Post
Turns out the pressure sensor was not set correctly, gave the adjuster a half turn clockwise and it seems to work ok now.

Thanks for the advice

Charlie.
Hi Charlie,

I was just wondering how you've gone with the Smart 30? We are thinking of getting the same watermaker. Any feedback would be great. Not many reviews around of this model.

Regards,
Simon
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Old 21-01-2014, 04:26   #12
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Re: Schenker Watermaker Problem

Hi simon,

Yes, very happy with it after a few install problems ( easily fixed by adjusting pressure setting).

We get around 27 liters of 250ppm water from high summer med water, so not bad i think.

They have a very helpful guy in the italian office called ricardo, if you are based in europe, he helped me via email with teething issues. I installed myself, and is pretty simple to do, IF you have space to fit the thing ( i have an older boat and struggled a bit for room).

We had a katadyn before this , and were not that impressed.

We live onboard full gime so rely on it alot and it has not let us down YET! Run it for 3 hours or so every 3 to 4 days.

Hope that helps

Charlie.
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Old 02-02-2014, 05:18   #13
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Re: Schenker Watermaker Problem

We have a Schenker Modul 60 (12V 240 W) since 5 years and only once had an issue: The outlet tube from the high pressure pumps (salt water!, see pic ) running to the desalination unit - which on our boat (Hanse 470) is in the back and 4m away - started leaking. It took (too) long to realize what was wrong, unless the bilge was already half way filled with salt water. It finally turned out that the type of tube was too weak. So make sure you install a high pressure tube running from the pumps to the unit. Make an automatic rinsing before start, replace the filters every season and do the hibernation procedure at the and of the season and you will be fine.
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