Spectra Watermaker for 500 bones! Up and running, Tellie are you out there!?

[JArcherM]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Till you measure flow rates you are just spinning wheels. If the feed pump is good the only thing that can stop pressure build up is a leaking check valve, spool etc in the clark or a hole in a membrane.

Good to know. I did measure flow before, just had a change in pump output for sure. the darn thing stopped twice. I found this....

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the pump is now working again but yes, still not building pressure. I did measure flow a couple of weeks ago. I have the values somewhere, but remember they was good flow at the time but that was before the asymmetrical operation and the teardown. I know for a fact the spool has scoring, the membrane sat unpickled for a long time and the check valves were really gross before. Once I put eyes on those parts again Ill get an order in. Just got to figure out how to get the parts into Martinique.

[JArcherM]

One check valve looks really suspect, wasn’t seated all the way like the others and if you blow air in the high pressure port it doesn’t seem to seal. Ferrules are pitted and leak, annular rings are scored, membrane looks kinda gross.

Damn those fittings and the guy who didn’t pickle it. What a shame.

[Tellie]

Clean the valve poppets with dishwater soap and a rough dishwater sponge. Holt the stem and vigorously rub the poppet against the soapy sponge and most of what you see will clean off. Chances are very good these poppets are just fine unless you see any pitting or scoring. Also, you will want to replace those nylon poppet valve springs with SS ones. Replace both annular rings and the spool valve. The pitted SS fittings, let me see the fittings the SS fits into. Cylinders need to be resurfaced, and the two pistons replaced. Toss the membrane and start with new once the pump is finished. Also, show us the piston rod. Replacement of this and its lips seals are probably in order as well.

[JArcherM]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Clean the valve poppets with dishwater soap and a rough dishwater sponge. Holt the stem and vigorously rub the poppet against the soapy sponge and most of what you see will clean off. Chances are very good these poppets are just fine unless you see any pitting or scoring. Also, you will want to replace those nylon poppet valve springs with SS ones. Replace both annular rings and the spool valve. The pitted SS fittings, let me see the fittings the SS fits into. Cylinders need to be resurfaced, and the two pistons replaced. Toss the membrane and start with new once the pump is finished.

Cool. Will get to work.

Couple questions-

Need to source parts here, any ideas? Can you DHL or Fed Ex? Or mail them here?

Resurfacing the cylinders, how much am I looking to take off, When you resurface at your shop... how do you usually resurface... do you hone, do you use a beadbuster or a hone like we use on engine cylinders? Or 800 grit sandpaper?

[JArcherM]

[JArcherM]

Found a new spool valve, pstons, annular rings, membrane, and springs on the island. installing tomorrow.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by JArcherM

Attachment 251243

Attachment 251244

Replace this piston rod and it's two associated lip seals as well. I would also suggest you get a new feed pump head as well. Also, when you removed the annular rings what is the color of the O-rings that seal the annular rings?

[JArcherM]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Replace this piston rod and it's two associated lip seals as well. I would also suggest you get a new feed pump head as well. Also, when you removed the annular rings what is the color of the O-rings that seal the annular rings?

Awesome! Thank you. I will. I now have 3 pump heads 1 is brand new so I will throw that one on.
Im going to bet they are black, ill know today.

As far as the o rings - Being that it was made in 2020 hopefully they usedthe new ones. I saw in Sailing Exodus' vid what happens to the white ones!

[JArcherM]

Cleaned up the rod, installed used but good pistons, replaced annular rings... black o rings, replaced membrane, spool, installed stainless springs on check valves, cleaned fittings again.

Pressures higher at 50psi to 60
Slightly asymmetric flow by 1/2 gph...probably due to leaking fittings I haven’t been able to get yet and maybe tube scoring? Even still.....

Currently running 248 ppm!

Thank you so much for the help. Now to work out the kinks!

[Tellie]

Spectra allows a 15% pressure differential. I don't like anything more than 5% but your pump seems to be well within that parameter. To get 248ppms in good offshore water means your Clark pump must be making great pressures.

[Tellie]

Spectra allows a 15% pressure differential. I don't like anything more than 5% but your pump seems to be well within that parameter. To get 248ppms in good offshore water means your Clark pump must be making great pressures.