Re: [Amel] Re: 60 l/hr dessalator
john martin <symoondog@...>
Hi Kent,
We had a similar problem with the salinity sensor built into the water maker, it stopped sensing that the water wasn't good enough quality. We now have a TDS Meter (Total Dissolved Solids Meter) onboard. It is a small battery powered water tester that reads up to 1000 parts per million (ppm). We bought the unit after talking to Mark at Great Water in Maine, who has sold us our membranes (but he doesn't sell TDS meters). Mark is very knowledgeable and offered this advice:
"When your water maker membranes are new, they will produce water at 100-200 ppm. 500 ppm is generally when the water will start to taste salty, and some yachties tolerate up to 700 ppm to extend the life of their membranes."
Although it is possible to have a complete sudden failure of the membranes, most of the time it will be a slow deteriation of the menbranes and give you ample notice, hense we are happy using the hand held TDS meter.
We purchased the TDS meter, made by Hanna Instruments, on ebay from National Industrial Supply in CA for about $15 (they only sell on ebay). It comes in handy for testing the tap water when at a marina as well. We tested the water here in Venezuela and found it to be cleaner than bottled water, but the people don't drink it. We do.
We also have a chlorine tester on board (the optical type), to test local water for chlorine content, because lots of countries do not use chlorine in their water, thus you can use that chlorine-free water for cleaning your membranes.
Ruth
MOON DOG
SM 248
To: amelyachtowners@...
From: karkauai@...
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:19:37 -0800
Subject: [Amel] Re: 60 l/hr dessalator
Hi, Gary,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. That really helps.
Does anyone know if there have been similar issues with the older 60 l/hr units like mine, or was this an issue only with the 160 l/hr units?
While I am stuck here at the dock, I will find a watermaker supply and see about installing a charcoal filter, an in line sensor (if the test you suggest shows that the sensor in my unit isn't doing anything) and clean with metabisulfite. If I find that my salinity sensor isn't shutting off the flow to the tanks I will talk to you about installing a cutoff switch to the solenoid.
Again, thank you for taking the time to lead me along by the hand, Gary. I love you folks on this forum.
Steady as she goes,
Kent
SM243
KRISTY
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We had a similar problem with the salinity sensor built into the water maker, it stopped sensing that the water wasn't good enough quality. We now have a TDS Meter (Total Dissolved Solids Meter) onboard. It is a small battery powered water tester that reads up to 1000 parts per million (ppm). We bought the unit after talking to Mark at Great Water in Maine, who has sold us our membranes (but he doesn't sell TDS meters). Mark is very knowledgeable and offered this advice:
"When your water maker membranes are new, they will produce water at 100-200 ppm. 500 ppm is generally when the water will start to taste salty, and some yachties tolerate up to 700 ppm to extend the life of their membranes."
Although it is possible to have a complete sudden failure of the membranes, most of the time it will be a slow deteriation of the menbranes and give you ample notice, hense we are happy using the hand held TDS meter.
We purchased the TDS meter, made by Hanna Instruments, on ebay from National Industrial Supply in CA for about $15 (they only sell on ebay). It comes in handy for testing the tap water when at a marina as well. We tested the water here in Venezuela and found it to be cleaner than bottled water, but the people don't drink it. We do.
We also have a chlorine tester on board (the optical type), to test local water for chlorine content, because lots of countries do not use chlorine in their water, thus you can use that chlorine-free water for cleaning your membranes.
Ruth
MOON DOG
SM 248
To: amelyachtowners@...
From: karkauai@...
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:19:37 -0800
Subject: [Amel] Re: 60 l/hr dessalator
Hi, Gary,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. That really helps.
Does anyone know if there have been similar issues with the older 60 l/hr units like mine, or was this an issue only with the 160 l/hr units?
While I am stuck here at the dock, I will find a watermaker supply and see about installing a charcoal filter, an in line sensor (if the test you suggest shows that the sensor in my unit isn't doing anything) and clean with metabisulfite. If I find that my salinity sensor isn't shutting off the flow to the tanks I will talk to you about installing a cutoff switch to the solenoid.
Again, thank you for taking the time to lead me along by the hand, Gary. I love you folks on this forum.
Steady as she goes,
Kent
SM243
KRISTY
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]