RS Seawater Strainers - WHY WOULD THEY BUILD THIS???

[markpj23]

OK - I think I've finally gotten the photo uploaded... here's a link: http://cruisersforum.com/photopost//...php?photo=1855

Now I ask you, WHY would you build a marelon / plastic strainer so that the main support for the screw-down top knob consists of 3 plastic / marelon sticks?

As you've already guessed - I went to open the strainer for cleaning. The knob was tight... a little more torque should do it - SNAP !!... %^@$%^@$ !!

Anyone else have similar experiences with these strainers? The top cover has a simple O-ring and no hold-down mechanism except the top knob.

I'd sure like to find a more sturdy unit. Not that I'd ever expect a threaded steel rod / knob combo to ever stick again...

[GordMay]

Not all plastics are 'Marelon' ~ and this example certainly isn't.
You're right, looks like a hunk of crap.
It was purchased on price, not value & utility.

In what application was it used?

[markpj23]

Unfortunately this was the genset cooling water strainer. Bad news is there are 6 others just like it on the boat, including the main cooling water">engine cooling water.

My list of things to refit keeps growing.. is anyone surprised by that?

[GordMay]

I have to apologize - it appears that the pictured strainer IS a Forespar Marelon unit. The 1.5" Marelon strainer pictured sells for just under $100.

The 1.5" Groco Strainer (ARG-P) pictured at:
http://cruisersforum.com/photopost//...php?photo=1856
would go for something around $200.
The Groco catalogue is at: http://www.groco.net/cat_rawwater.htm

[Joli]

I'm with Gord. Gotta like the Groco's.

Fair winds,

Bryan

[CaptainK]

Man that sucks!!!!!

It's a damn shame that the (sticks) arms broke off while unscrewing the strainer assembly!!

Yeah I'd go with the Groco product line. I've heard lots of great comments on their parts!!

[Alan Wheeler]

Yeah Mark, I have one of those as well, but it is much bigger. I take great care around it. I don't trust the thing at all and am going to replace it. The outlet is at the top and the weight of the outlet hose causes the outer jacket to warp. Then the lid doesn't seat properly and it leaks. Not my ideal design at all.

[SG]

We have two of these units -- one for the gen set and one for the main engine.

I've found them very convenient. The only proplem I've had is that the plastic TOP seems to crack if you tighen it down too much.

I think the units are fine, easy to clean, and seem durable enough.

The top is about the "water line" so that when you remove the cover, it is only an inc or so below the waterline.

I've got a large Groco wich is below the water line; of course it works fine. I would prefer the Groco really below the waterline -- but I wouldn't like to have to clear it of debris if we sucked-up some ell grass.

[Alan Wheeler]

Well wouldn't ya know it. Talk about the thing, and the event happens. I just broke mine. Just like Mark, I thought oh it's a little loose. So I gave it one more turn and bang. It all came apart. I though my strainer was bigger, but now realise it is the same thing. So off to the chandlery I went. I almost needed picking up off the floor. It was NZ$211.00 for a piece of plastic junk. That's rediculouse. I'm not paying that! I thought.
So I have spent today looking at alternatives. Even a large Aluminium water trap for fuel was way cheaper than the marine thing and it had complicated valves and stuff in it. But still not what I was quite wanting. I ended up going to a Chandlery that also has a plumbing side to them, dealing with swiming pools. Well low and behold, they had a whole series of different strainers availble. All designed for suction and pressure on pool pumping systems. Ones that were made form high strength PVC's to polycarbonate. Well I walked out of the shop with a strainer that wil do the job just nicely thank-you very much and a grand total price of NZ$45.00. It is far supperior to the other lump of crap I have and it has a screw on see through plastic cap instead of that stupid lid with a screw in the middle.