Do I need to winterize my watermaker?

[Marathon1150]

We have a Spectra Ventura 150 watermaker and until this year it has lived in places that are warm year round (Mexico, French Polynesia) so we pickled it when away with Spectra's SC1 compound.

The boat is now in Vancouver and there is a reasonable chance that temperatures will dip below 0/32 C/F for a few days at a time. The watermaker lives in the cockpit lazarette.

Should I be using propylene glycol to pickle and winterize the watermaker or would it be safe to use SC1, the standard Spectra pickling agent?

Grateful for advice.

[hlev00]

Check your manual or contact Spectra.

[GordMay]

'SC-1' prevents biological growth when your system sits idle. It should not be used as a cleaning chemical, nor will it protect your system from freezing.
Spectra systems should be stored with [60% solution] Propylene Glycol if freezing is likely to occur.
Propylene glycol can be used instead of Spectra SC-1 storage chemical for storage in any climate, and treatment is effective for one year.

More info’ ➥ https://support.katadyngroup.com/097...System-Storage

[Marathon1150]

Originally Posted by GordMay

'SC-1' prevents biological growth when your system sits idle. It should not be used as a cleaning chemical, nor will it protect your system from freezing.
Spectra systems should be stored with [60% solution] Propylene Glycol if freezing is likely to occur.
Propylene glycol can be used instead of Spectra SC-1 storage chemical for storage in any climate, and treatment is effective for one year.

More info’ ➥ https://support.katadyngroup.com/097...System-Storage

Thanks. The Spectra manual is not super helpful but the info from Katadyn (I believe that they own Spectra) is. Local Spectra dealers are vague on the matter.

One big advantage of using Glycol is that the unit can remain pickled for much longer than if using SC1. The downside is that the recommissioning time and water used, is significantly greater.

[dfelsent]

I’ve got a Schenker. In massachusetts. I assume -5 f most winters. -15 happens rarely but does happen.

I use propylene glycol to winterize. I first flush with fresh. Put in a new pre filter , then put intake, discharge, and product hoses into a bucket with straight glycol. I run for 20 minutes or so and use a refractometer to verify the glycol concentration. You need a minimum to get antibacterial properties.
I use the refractometer to verify glycol concentration in my fresh water system during winterization as well.
I need to adjust the bypass valve during this to avoid over pressure. I also have tee valves and hoses set up that allow me to do this without disconnecting hoses.
I do have to pour liquid into the intake hose to prime as the intake hose from the bucket is well above the pump.
I’m not sure why this consumes more water than a powdered pickle.
Btw I buy USP propylene glycol from chemworld. That way I know what’s in it. Not sure I trust typical marine potable antifreeze in the water maker.
A 5 gallon bucket seems to do three winters for me.
Spring startup I’ve already got a new filter in, and I just run with partial bypass for 5 minutes or so then run for an hour dumping the product. Then test and away we go.

[Marathon1150]

Thank you DFELSENT. The food grade glycol available here is not cheap but the record low temperature from the past few years is -14C/-6.8F. So it looks like I will be buying some glycol that is certified food grade.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Marathon1150

The boat is now in Vancouver and there is a reasonable chance that temperatures will dip below 0/32 C/F for a few days at a time. The watermaker lives in the cockpit lazarette.

I moved to BC in 2016 from SF and have learned a lot about winter, all over again having grown up in NYC and in California since 1978.


The water stays at 47F so you need heat inside to avoid it raining inside when it has snow on the deck: humid air water warmer than the deck = rain inside, think gin & tonic glass on a warm day by the pool!


Otherwise, nothing DOWN BELOW freezes or has for me, yet.


But your gear in essentially OUTSIDE. So, yes, you have to winterize it.


Good luck and welcome to some lovely cruising grounds.

[dfelsent]

Originally Posted by Marathon1150

Thank you DFELSENT. The food grade glycol available here is not cheap but the record low temperature from the past few years is -14C/-6.8F. So it looks like I will be buying some glycol that is certified food grade.

USD 179 including shipping is what i paid for 5 gallons this October.
Not cheap but less than a bunch of watermaker parts.

[Lepke]

You can buy food grade Propylene glycol on Amazon, ebay.

I live aboard so my boat stays warmer, but w/o heat my unheated areas stay above freezing. At 0°F outdoor temp and 50° water temp the coldest spot was the bilge at 35°.

In really cold weather I put one of my block heaters on a thermocube. On at 35° off 45°.

[spiv]

Originally Posted by GordMay

'SC-1' prevents biological growth when your system sits idle. It should not be used as a cleaning chemical, nor will it protect your system from freezing.
Spectra systems should be stored with [60% solution] Propylene Glycol if freezing is likely to occur.
Propylene glycol can be used instead of Spectra SC-1 storage chemical for storage in any climate, and treatment is effective for one year.

More info’ ➥ https://support.katadyngroup.com/097...System-Storage

Hi Gord,
Would you know what chemicals are in SC-1 and SC-2?

I believe SC-1 is mainly Citric Acid.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Marathon1150

We have a Spectra Ventura 150 watermaker and until this year it has lived in places that are warm year round (Mexico, French Polynesia) so we pickled it when away with Spectra's SC1 compound.

The boat is now in Vancouver and there is a reasonable chance that temperatures will dip below 0/32 C/F for a few days at a time. The watermaker lives in the cockpit lazarette.

Should I be using propylene glycol to pickle and winterize the watermaker or would it be safe to use SC1, the standard Spectra pickling agent?

Grateful for advice.

Propylene Glycol. Is your go to.it is what I use in my powersurvivor35.

Ask tellie our resident spectra dealer
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...llie-9014.html

[Tellie]

Agreed newhaul,

If you are to use a powdered solution to pickle your Spectra you absolutely must use the proprietary SC-1 supplied by Spectra. Always have one or two packets of SC-1 with your watermaker spares, they're easy to store onboard. That being said I far more prefer the PG-50 to pickle your system, all watermakers really. Yes, without a doubt PG will store your membrane for longer periods, up to two years most will say. But I have unpickled PG stored systems that sat like that for 5 years and it worked perfectly. Back in the day (old man stories) when I first started membranes cost A LOT! Everything back then was protect that membrane protect that membrane. Now membranes are a lot cheaper. We started the PG craze way back then experimenting with it for pickling. Over the years what developed was we realized that the PG was really, really, great to protect far more than just the membrane. If you feel PG it feels like soapy dishwater fluid. This keeps O-rings, shuttle valves, seals, and even oxygen deprived SS very well protected far better than a powdered solution mixed with water. So, PG will protect far more costly parts to your watermaker than just the membrane.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Agreed newhaul,

If you are to use a powdered solution to pickle your Spectra you absolutely must use the proprietary SC-1 supplied by Spectra. Always have one or two packets of SC-1 with your watermaker spares, they're easy to store onboard. That being said I far more prefer the PG-50 to pickle your system, all watermakers really. Yes, without a doubt PG will store your membrane for longer periods, up to two years most will say. But I have unpickled PG stored systems that sat like that for 5 years and it worked perfectly. Back in the day (old man stories) when I first started membranes cost A LOT! Everything back then was protect that membrane protect that membrane. Now membranes are a lot cheaper. We started the PG craze way back then experimenting with it for pickling. Over the years what developed was we realized that the PG was really, really, great to protect far more than just the membrane. If you feel PG it feels like soapy dishwater fluid. This keeps O-rings, shuttle valves, seals, and even oxygen deprived SS very well protected far better than a powdered solution mixed with water. So, PG will protect far more costly parts to your watermaker than just the membrane.

Not all membranes are cheaper mine are still way to expensive for a powersurvivor35 they should be half what they are so I'm still protect the membranes kind of guy .

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Agreed newhaul,

If you are to use a powdered solution to pickle your Spectra you absolutely must use the proprietary SC-1 supplied by Spectra. Always have one or two packets of SC-1 with your watermaker spares, they're easy to store onboard. That being said I far more prefer the PG-50 to pickle your system, all watermakers really. Yes, without a doubt PG will store your membrane for longer periods, up to two years most will say. But I have unpickled PG stored systems that sat like that for 5 years and it worked perfectly. Back in the day (old man stories) when I first started membranes cost A LOT! Everything back then was protect that membrane protect that membrane. Now membranes are a lot cheaper. We started the PG craze way back then experimenting with it for pickling. Over the years what developed was we realized that the PG was really, really, great to protect far more than just the membrane. If you feel PG it feels like soapy dishwater fluid. This keeps O-rings, shuttle valves, seals, and even oxygen deprived SS very well protected far better than a powdered solution mixed with water. So, PG will protect far more costly parts to your watermaker than just the membrane.

50% propylene glycol is too low a concentration to reliably inhibit bacterial growth, hence the recommendation for using 60%. That recommendation should not be ignored.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

50% propylene glycol is too low a concentration to reliably inhibit bacterial growth, hence the recommendation for using 60%. That recommendation should not be ignored.

BTW you realise that P50 is full strength and the 50 means protecting to -50f right?
I will follow Tellie his company is responsible for warranty and mall that he is the watermaker guru here along with Rich at cruise R/O SV THIRD DAY