That "new watermaker" smell?

[Gary H]

Hi all,

I just completed the install on a new Spectra Ventura 150 (manual) watermaker. Per Spectra's instructions, I ran it with the pressure relief valve open for over 20 minutes and then closed the pressure relief valve and started sampling. In just a couple of minutes it was producing 7 gph of fresh water with salinity of 85 ppm. Awesome!

However, even after running it for more than an hour, the water still smelled of chemicals. (I'm assuming from the preservative solution it is shipped with). I ran it again it the pressure relief valve open for 20 more minutes and then made some more water with the same result. I finally did a fresh water flush and called it a day.

Is this common? How long should I expect before the water is drinkable?

[Tellie]

It's not common but then it's not too uncommon either. Spectra ships all their systems with Propylene Glycol as both a membrane preservative and anti freezing agent. Sometimes these systems sit for a long time before they are actually installed and commissioned for the first time. PG can get well entrenched in the membrane and the usual purging recommended by Spectra is not enough and you can still smell a little PG in the product line. Usually running your system for a few hours will clear this no problem. If for some reason it seems to be a bit stubborn to clear out, running Spectras SC-2 solution through the system will clear this. If you need any help or advice on this don't hesitate to call me.

Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators
(954) 515-7077

[TacomaSailor]

My Spectra 380c needs to run pressurized for several hours when I unpickle it to remove every trace of Propylene Glycol. Even after five or six hours my wifes professional water quality manager nose can detect a slight chemical odor.

It has been that way for 15-years and a lot of pickle cycles.

The good news is that Spectras like to run so just run it with the product over the side until you get the clean no odor water you want.

[Gary H]

Thank you both for the info. I ran it for about four hours today and it's better but still not drinkable (the chemicals actually seemed to irritate my tounge when I tried a few sips). I will run it again tomorrow and hope for more improvement.

[Gary H]

It took about 12 hours of running, but the smell is now gone! Salinity is showing 80ppm. Dry cruising grounds here I come!