2 spectra Watermakers how to best use them???

[SVSAVANNAH]

I have a spectra ventura 200c water maker, and now someone has given me another one.....

Now I have

2 x 40" pressure vesals and membranes
2x clack pumps
2x feed pumps
and a whole bunch of valves and stuff.

My question is how to best set this up? the goal is more water, but also I don't want to disproportionally increase energy use, consumables and or maintenance.

I could just set them up side by side or

just add one extra feed pump only

or 2 feed pumps and 2 membranes in series

or get the other clark pump involved....

many combinations and permutations...

What say you internet?

cheers
chris

[Sailmonkey]

You’re going to need to use both membranes, both feed pumps, and both Clark pumps to achieve increased water production with that pile of equipment.

[billknny]

And making twice as much water takes twice as much energy. Technically speaking that is not a “disproportionate” increase.

[Nightsky]

You could set the second one up same as your original, then just alternate usage, keeping both units "in shape". Don't see how you can increase water production without providing the energy required. Unless, you are thinking that running both together with just one energy input is possible. You'd have to ask Spectra if their units can be paralleled in such a way.

[zstine]

I would combine the output of the feed pumps into one large line, then split that to go to the 2 membranes/clarks. In that tubing, add valves so you can run either feed pump, or both, to either RO membrane or both. That allows you to run any pump/membrane combo in case of a failure, while also allowing you to run both pumps for double output, at yes, double current draw.


Look at the Spectra Cape Horn Compact model. It is almost what you have, 2 feed pumps, 2 membranes. Probably some good info in the installation of that unit

[Glassdog]

I would simply call Spectra and they will probably answer all your questions. I bought a used Catalina deluxe system and they were incredibly helpful in identifying and helping me to set up a system correctly. Great people and great water makers with very low power demands. Give them a call, Cheers

[Tellie]

Or you can ask me.
You first need to determine what percentage are the two Clark pumps. If they are 7% pumps then you will have to run them both as is with one feed pump and one 40" membrane each. If you are lucky and both Clark pumps are 10% pumps then all you'll have to do is add a second feed pump to each unit to double the production from 7gph per each unit to 14gph per each unit.

[SVSAVANNAH]

Thank you Tellie, How do I know what % my Clark pump is?

[SVSAVANNAH]

Update: the OD of the piston is 7/8"

[Tellie]

Look at the lower center block just above the input feed line to the Clark pumps. Just above this input there are numbers stamped into the block. There will be four numbers followed by a dash (-) then two more numbers. xxxx-07 or xxxx-10. The last two numbers will either be 07 or 10, indicating if they are 7% or 10% pumps.

[SVSAVANNAH]

... just above the "feed water inlet " is stamped : 05008845


this unit is it at least 10 years old, but never used.

[Moontide]

Too complicated to have both. My suggestion is to sell me one cheap and stick with what you have. Unless you are using a LOT of water do you really need to double hourly production. Can make the same amount of water using same amount of energy with one as with two. Just have to run longer, but energy usage per gallon should be the same.



Use my money to buy something else you need for the boat.



:-)


Bill

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by SVSAVANNAH

... just above the "feed water inlet " is stamped : 05008845


this unit is it at least 10 years old, but never used.

If those numbers I mentioned are not on the pumps then these are a lot older than ten years. But that doesn't mean they won't work. You previously stated that the outside diameter of the piston is 7/8" The pistons are far larger than that. If you are measuring the "piston rod" at 7/8" which I believe you are, then these pumps are 10% pumps and the simplest thing to do is to add another feed pump to each unit to double the output. Is the piston rod brown or is it clear glass?

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Moontide

Too complicated to have both. My suggestion is to sell me one cheap and stick with what you have. Unless you are using a LOT of water do you really need to double hourly production. Can make the same amount of water using same amount of energy with one as with two. Just have to run longer, but energy usage per gallon should be the same.



Use my money to buy something else you need for the boat.



:-)


Bill

..Are you looking to put together a Clark pump based watermaker? I will have a few re-maned Clark pumps available hopefully by next month.

[SVSAVANNAH]

Tellie, you are correct, I was referring to the piston rod, and it is more of a shiny white. This unit was in a boat built 20 years ago, it was either never used or only a few times as demonstration, but not sure when it was put in. I am remote and don't have quick access to parts. Do you suggest any action before running it? Maybe take apart the clark pump, clean and lube?


I think for my needs just adding the extra feed pump is the most useful thing to me. As the 10% pump can make more water with more feed volume and pressure, are there alternative feed pump options? I would want to sell the other water maker, but with out a feed pump it is not usable. I see that the larger units use a single vane pump, is there a possibility of setting up an extra raw water engine pump I have to an appropriately sized electric motor. It seems to me it is just a matter of flow and pressure, do you have any practical advice on achieving this using more commonly available parts? Or pitfalls to avoid. I could then keep the 2 surerflo pumps and suggest alternatives to potential buyers.