Spectra Watermaker not used for 2 years

[Higgo]

I am about to commission the Spectra Watermaker MPC 2000 that has been aboard our yacht that we purchased 2 years ago. What processes can anyone recommend to ensure that that I don't damage the Watermaker. Will I need to replace the cartridge? Like every cruiser I am trying to bring this system into service without spending a fortune on purchasing new parts. The Watermaker is the last item on the long list that we have replaced, repaired or renovated and we can't wait to be more "self sufficient " and not go looking for marinas to fill up with water.

[senormechanico]

Paging ...Tellie....

[Palarran]

Wow, I'd just start it up and see what happens. Watermakers are stupid simple so either it works or doesn't.

[Privilege]

Assuming that the water maker has been pickled for a couple of years, don't start it up with the chemical still in the system - it will damage the membrane. The Spectra instructions (for my Cape Horn) say to flush the system for several hours prior to involving the high pressure membrane.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Privilege

Assuming that the water maker has been pickled for a couple of years, don't start it up with the chemical still in the system - it will damage the membrane. The Spectra instructions (for my Cape Horn) say to flush the system for several hours prior to involving the high pressure membrane.

The manuals are downloadable at Spectra.

3. Turn on both feed pump modules and run the system WITHOUT PRES-
SURE for 20 minutes to purge the storage chemicals. If the system has
been stored with propylene glycol, purge the system for 4-6 hours.

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by Higgo

I am about to commission the Spectra Watermaker MPC 2000 that has been aboard our yacht that we purchased 2 years ago. What processes can anyone recommend to ensure that that I don't damage the Watermaker. Will I need to replace the cartridge? Like every cruiser I am trying to bring this system into service without spending a fortune on purchasing new parts. The Watermaker is the last item on the long list that we have replaced, repaired or renovated and we can't wait to be more "self sufficient " and not go looking for marinas to fill up with water.

I'm literally and figuratively in the same boat. My newly acquired Catalina 470 has a Spectra Newport watermaker, with the older MPC 5000 controller, that has been pickled for I don't know how long. There are lots of spare parts (filters, chemicals, and such) stored next to the unit, that I need to figure out what to do with.

During the pre-purchase survey, the surveyor turned the unit on to verify that the controller powered up, but that was all we could realistically do at the time.

Will be following this thread with interest.

Regards,
David

[lordgeoff]

Originally Posted by Higgo

I am about to commission the Spectra Watermaker MPC 2000 that has been aboard our yacht that we purchased 2 years ago. What processes can anyone recommend to ensure that that I don't damage the Watermaker. Will I need to replace the cartridge? Like every cruiser I am trying to bring this system into service without spending a fortune on purchasing new parts. The Watermaker is the last item on the long list that we have replaced, repaired or renovated and we can't wait to be more "self sufficient " and not go looking for marinas to fill up with water.

Contact SPECTRA they are super heplful.

[billburr]

You will likely need to replace the membrane.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by billburr

You will likely need to replace the membrane.

Possibly, but no harm in doing tbe standard startup after pickeling procedure and seeing if you get decent product flow and a good TDS reading. If so, then hbe membrane is still good.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Paging ...Tellie....

I wouldn’t touch it, not until I talked to Tellie and asked what to do.
He may can save you a lot of money and stress, send him a PM

[contrail]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I wouldn’t touch it, not until I talked to Tellie and asked what to do.
He may can save you a lot of money and stress, send him a PM

Why not call Spectra, as someone has advised. They are typically very helpful.

[Locquatious]

Though I don't see any of the discussion, I do have some helpful information.
We stored our Spectra watermaker using propylene glycol. This was mainly because we would be away for 7 months and Spectra only recommends use of biocide storage for 6 months. As it turns out the boat and watermaker were stored for more than 2 years after hurricane Irma.
We followed the procedure for purging propylene glycol from the watermaker. The unit ran flawlessly always producing great water.

[senormechanico]

Imho, the odds are greatly in your favor that the membrane will be just fine.

[wrwakefield]

Our Santa Cruz Spectra model had been pickled with PEG antifreeze [which was renewed annually...] for 4+ years when we bought the boat in 2014.

The membrane was new in 2008.

I installed new pre-filters [and especially important pre-fresh flush is the carbon filter to remove any chlorine...]

Then per Spectra instructions, I flushed with fresh water with the pressure valve on the Clark pump open [i.e., no pressure.] After 6 hours of flushing [I was at the dock..] I fired it up with salt water. Product water was below 150 ppm disolved solids within the first 5 mins of operation.

We still haven't replaced the membrane, and we use the WM full time 9 months out of the year... Product is still under 200 ppm...

Follow Spectra's instructions and you will find out where you stand with consumables...

Cheers! Bill

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by contrail

Why not call Spectra, as someone has advised. They are typically very helpful.

Field Experience