Spectra 150 issues.

[Miyalk]

Hi, I am trying to track down the reason for the poor perfomance of my Spectra 150 watermaker.

Its currently producing about 50% of its proper output (about 12L/hr)

It has a new feed pump, kinking the brine discharge the feed pump runs up to about 100psi before cutting out, so nothing wrong with feed pressure.

The pressure gauge sits at about 50psi and then drops right down when the piston moves before rebuilding to about 50psi again. The flow when i put it on bypass into a bucket is not continuous, it spurts then drops back to no flow then spurts again.

Filters are fresh, inlet is clear.

No leaks anywhere from the Clark Pump or membrane housings.

To me it sounds wrong, I have made a little video of it running in the hope it may help troubleshoot the issue.

I have read the Spectra troubleshooting guide but it hasnt really given me a conclusive answer for where and what to check! Hoping the experienced Spectra users here may be able to help

Here is a link to the video on Vimeo,

Spectra 150 Video

[carstenb]

The spurts are normal (that is the clark pump cycling). Low pressure could be because you have not tightened the pressure relief valve on the clark pump. This is the knob on the top. Hand tighten it.

If you feed pump will go to 100 psi when the hose is kinked, then the lack of pressure is downstream.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

There are quite a few recent Spectra Watermaker threads on the forum. Several different ideas on troubleshooting issues. Search for 'Spectra watermakers' in the Google search function

[senormechanico]

Look at the flow meter. The output from the Clark pump is asymmetrical.
5.5 gph and 4.5. The flow should be equal.

I suspect an internal leak in the Clark pump. O ring or valve.
Could be something in one of the valves allowing back flow.

[Miyalk]

Thanks, Carstenb, its not the pressure relief knob. It was working fine, gradual deterioration in performance.

Smokeys kitchen, I know there are other threads, i did search first, but they are different issues, hence my thread with my specific issues.

Senormechanico, thanks I hadn't noticed that. Its a few psi difference and reading the troubleshooting manual I found this table which appears relevant.

I realise the thing I havent done is a total flow test and check recovery %, I will do that and then see what I find out, i doubt the asymmetrical flow is bad enough to halve production, so it may be a combination of issues.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[sailorboy1]

my experience is that the problem is a gunked up check valve

is the pressure the same on each stroke? (yes I didn't watch video)