Military surplus PUR Survivor watermakers

[Dockhead]

Fleabay is flooded with out of date military surplus PUR Survivor-06 watermakers.

This would seem like just the ticket for the ditch bag, provided it is possible to buy the membranes somewhere. I can't find a price anywhere.

Has anyone actually bought one of these? Is there any chance that the membranes are actually ok?

[smurphny]

Bought a surplus Survivor 35 ($2000 retail) a couple of years ago for $200 and it works just fine. It didn't need a new membrane and appeared to have never been used. I just bought a maintenance kit and re-pickled it. Defender has the membranes for them but I don't know about the 06.

[Dockhead]

That sounds like a deal. The Surviver 35 ought to be better, actually. I'll have to keep an eye on the flea. What was the manufacture date of yours?

[smurphny]

There is nothing on it to indicate manufacture date. Has a heavy duty aluminum strainer/filter on the intake tube, unlike the cartridge type on ones selling in marine stores nowadays. That's the only difference I can see. It's obviously a military grade unit, made to take some punishment. Have never seen one of the newer ones, so have nothing to compare with.

[S/V Alchemy]

Dockhead, if you spot these, I would very much appreciate hearing about it. Thanks.

[Microship]

I bought one a few years ago and have not used it... can't imagine the state of the membrane, but maybe ancient pickling is still good. Very well-made.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Microship

I bought one a few years ago and have not used it... can't imagine the state of the membrane, but maybe ancient pickling is still good. Very well-made.

I would think you would want to test it and then pickle it, no?

[Microship]

Yes... I re-pickled it immediately when I got it, but did not test it. Now that you mention it, I should do that again.

The Katadyn 40E that is about to go into the boat has also been sitting for 3 years... thought I was going to get right to it. <sigh>

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Microship

Yes... I re-pickled it immediately when I got it, but did not test it. Now that you mention it, I should do that again.

The Katadyn 40E that is about to go into the boat has also been sitting for 3 years... thought I was going to get right to it. <sigh>

Up here in the Pacific NorthWET, the temps are low enough that I'm sure it's going to be fine.
I have had my Spectra for 11 years, never yet used any pickling solution in it, just backflush with product water, then run dry.
It sits that way for up to 6 months, but when started up again, it puts out great water at spec or better.

[NativeUSAindian]

Originally Posted by smurphny

Bought a surplus Survivor 35 ($2000 retail) a couple of years ago for $200 and it works just fine. It didn't need a new membrane and appeared to have never been used. I just bought a maintenance kit and re-pickled it. Defender has the membranes for them but I don't know about the 06.

Re-pickled it do you mean it has a anamal hide in it? If what type?

[smurphny]

The surplus units are pickled but who knows how long ago. It's a crap shoot as to whether the membrane is good and they are sold as such: as-is. I test/repickle every year to make sure it still makes fresh water. There is one on EBay right now:Katadyn Survivor 35 Hand operated desalinator - eBay (item 260752718467 end time Mar-22-11 06:54:54 PDT)

[Microship]

Steve - that's good news; thanks! How well do they handle freeze cycles? Mine was in my lab in the woods for quite a while (still sealed) and definitely hit a few hard freezes. I've just been assuming that I blew it and will need a new membrane... but will certainly test first.

[NativeUSAindian]

Originally Posted by smurphny

The surplus units are pickled but who knows how long ago. It's a crap shoot as to whether the membrane is good and they are sold as such: as-is. I test/repickle every year to make sure it still makes fresh water. There is one on EBay right now:Katadyn Survivor 35 Hand operated desalinator - eBay (item 260752718467 end time Mar-22-11 06:54:54 PDT)

Ok the USA treeted them Chemicaly you call thes Pickling so you Pickled yours one time a year the Membrain yes.
Like all things the type of Membrian is the key to locking out unwanted things. So we do not know what that is.?

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Microship

Steve - that's good news; thanks! How well do they handle freeze cycles? Mine was in my lab in the woods for quite a while (still sealed) and definitely hit a few hard freezes. I've just been assuming that I blew it and will need a new membrane... but will certainly test first.

Several years ago, the whole thing was still mounted in the stern, above the waterline. It froze and the Clark pump connecting rod (then they used a hollow glass rod). The rod collapsed into a lot of sharp pieces, but I carefully removed them and purchased a replacement (now plastic solid rod).
It worked fine, and I didn't even have to replace any seals!

Since then, I've moved the whole thing to the saloon in the shallow bilge.
When it's 20 degrees f. outside, the bilge stays about 40.

[smurphny]

Have never let mine freeze. With the close tolerances these things are built with, I have no doubt that a hard freeze would crack something. Yes, Native I do check it to make sure it still works and then re-biocide before setting off over blue water. It's one of the items on my checklist of things to do before setting out. Lists like this are just as important on a boat as on an airplane. It's very easy to forget something that can kill you.