Powersurvivor 35 Problem

[Snowgoose35]

I bought a PS35 second hand and found when fitted that it only output around 1/4 gallon an hour of poor quality water. As it was an unknown I bought the seal repair kit and a new membrane from Katadyn and replaced all the seals and o-rings (despite no sign of leakage) except those on the piston shaft as the recommendation is to do so only if they appear damaged; which they didn’t. The has had no effect on the output at all.

The throughput of reject water is 11 gph - and is unaltered between taking from the through hull and from a bucket of seater direct to the input hose. The output of product water is however only 1/4 gallon per hour (30cc per minute). From the troubleshooting guide it suggests that as output is below 70cc a minute whilst reject water is over 850cc (its actually 800cc but has been unchanged between the original check valves and the new ones I just installed) means I have a faulty spool valve - which I guess is no longer available as replacement part…

However, I also noticed that the pressure relief valve doesn’t have any movement on the white rod at all and wondered if there might be an issue there.

Just to eliminate things the batteries and voltage are good, no air bubbles can be seen in the reject water hose and there are no visible leaks from anywhere in the system or pump.

Any advice gratefully received...

[GordMay]

Gary Albers (ishipaco) is the Power Survivor guru.
See his guide, “How To Survive With A PowerSurvivor Watermaker”
➥ http://www.ishipaco.com/katadyn/docs/WatermakerBook.PDF

[Snowgoose35]

Thanks, I've read his book cover to cover but can't find anything that helps in this case..

[Canibul]

I can't help with any experience or advice, but I do have a complete PUR Powersurvivor 35E and spare membrane and rebuild kit sitting on my garage floor. It came on our boat, and I ordered the membrane and kit figuring I'd be using them eventually. But then I decided I didn't want it so I have no first hand troubleshooting experience but if you need a photo of a component or some kind of measurement or something let me know. Easy access for me.

Doesn't your issue sound like a pump isn't reaching, or perhaps holding pressure long enough? Or any restriction at all on the output.

[senormechanico]

Motor running too slowly?
Paging Tellie. He's the guy you need.

[newhaul]

Have you used the alkaline membrane cleaner yet? Here's the writeup on the 40e but it applies to our 35 also ( I have same e35 and cleaning the membrane solved output issue for us ) Use & Maintenance of a 40E

[Snowgoose35]

Its a brand new membrane just fitted today and as I said it made no difference so I guess a clean won't help...

The pump is certainly working but how does one tell if its pumping as it should? It does one full stroke (in and out) of the piston every 1.5 seconds (anyone know if thats right?) and and I've just changed all the seals on the piston.

[senormechanico]

As a former owner of a PS 35, then 80, then Spectra 180 (currently, and the best by far) one cycle every 1.5 seconds sounds about right.
Nyow, nyow, nyow sounds like a washing machine out of balance error message.
I like my Spectra.
Hummmmm, 8 seconds later, click Hummmmm....
8+ gallons/hr on 8 amps.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

As a former owner of a PS 35, then 80, then Spectra 180 (currently, and the best by far) one cycle every 1.5 seconds sounds about right.
Nyow, nyow, nyow sounds like a washing machine out of balance error message.
I like my Spectra.
Hummmmm, 8 seconds later, click Hummmmm....
8+ gallons/hr on 8 amps.

I'm glad you like your spectra however what does that have to do with helping the op fix his power survivor issues

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I'm glad you like your spectra however what does that have to do with helping the op fix his power survivor issues

Read the first line einstein.
Where's your helpful tip?

[Cheechako]

I wish I could help but I cant.
I think the lesson learned is: in boating, buying used and having it work out is a real gamble. I've bought plenty of stuff at auctions etc. In the end, I would probably be money ahead if I'd bought new.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Read the first line einstein.
Where's your helpful tip?

Read my first post (#6) . After that he posted he has a new membrane the only other thing I can think of is one of the poppet valves isn't properly seated or the membrane O ring seal is damaged.

[Sailmonkey]

How much current is the motor drawing when it pressurized the water?


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[Snowgoose35]

Thats the only thing I've not been able to check - we have 13.4v at the terminals but the voltmeter I have with me can't check the amp draw...

The motor seems to be pumping at the right speed though - if it was drawing too high an amperage wouldn't that be indicative of a blockage or blocked membrane - i.e. working too hard? This seems to be not enough pressure rather than too much. Am I missing something?

[Sailmonkey]

If the current is too low on the pressure stroke the motor current will be less, indicating low pressure on the membrane.....creating low output and poor water quality. Our 40e swings through roughly 2amps to 5.5 ish amps. I'm thinking you may have a weak poppet spring.


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