A Tip For Spectra Watermaker Installers

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

What's the part #/size? Might be able to get one into overnight post for you.

Option B, even though the unit is new, is to buy a filter housing and cartridge, I know I saw complete kits in Le Marin last year. Won't be identical, and Spectra might have something to say about warranty, but there is nothing really special about a 5-micron filter set of the same general capacity.

I was told it was either a 2-238 or a 2-236

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by billknny

This is why every boat should carry both an imperial and metric size o-ring kit so you can make you your own o-rings to any size whenever and whereever needed.

Like these: https://amzn.to/33aHglQ

This really works? I've McGyver'd a bunch of stuff over the years - never seen an o-ring kit. Butt-joining the ends with super glue actually works? I realize it's much better than nothing, but surprised folks are using them for A/C and higher pressure applications.

[a64pilot]

O-rings kits are very common and available in many different types os materials and many different types of sizes too, I carry a coupe of kits myself.

Superglue is also not uncommon, the main transmission upper cover on the AH-64 is sealed with an O-ring, and you guessed it, you roll off the required amount and cut it at I believe a 45 degree angle and glue it together, there is a special cutter just to get the angle correct.

Depending on the assembly sometimes you can’t get an intact O-ring in, but can piece one together.
I carry kits like these with the O-rings intact
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=o-ring+ki...nb_sb_ss_i_1_7

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by crayiii

I was told it was either a 2-238 or a 2-236

3 1/4" or 3 1/2" ID? with 1/8" thickness? Does that seem about right for the housing?

First couple of places I checked here don't have stock, tomorrow or Monday availability. Will ask a couple of others.

M3.1x84.4 would be the closest metric "standard" although M3x82 (for the 236) or M3x89 might fit/work, assume you've been down that road?

[Nicholson58]

We are in Trinidad. Glad to help if we can. ROXY in Power Boats. We will be traveling north soon, I hope. Spectra guy in Faulmouth Antigua. We have crows foot and line wrenches.

Installed our Spectra last year. The only leaks were mine

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

3 1/4" or 3 1/2" ID? with 1/8" thickness? Does that seem about right for the housing?

First couple of places I checked here don't have stock, tomorrow or Monday availability. Will ask a couple of others.

M3.1x84.4 would be the closest metric "standard" although M3x82 (for the 236) or M3x89 might fit/work, assume you've been down that road?

That seems about right although it's very difficult to get an accurate measurement inside there.

I'm not sure why Spectra doesn't know which o-ring it is.

Yeah, I haven't found anything even close.

I see you're in Alaska. I'm third generation. Born and raised in Ketchikan.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

We are in Trinidad. Glad to help if we can. ROXY in Power Boats. We will be traveling north soon, I hope. Spectra guy in Faulmouth Antigua. We have crows foot and line wrenches.

Installed our Spectra last year. The only leaks were mine

Thank you for the offer!

At this point everything is sorted except the o-ring.

I'm going to start calling my way South to see if I can find one. I'll let you know if I make it all the way down there.

[billgewater]

Seems to me that for such an expensive item (the water maker) the company, Spectra, should be responding positively to the leaking issues. These items are purchased to be used "off shore" where reliability is paramount and servicing should be a breeze.

To use a fitting that requires a specialist spanner reeks of bad design to me.

I think if you paid $11 000 for a new engine and it leaked oil, you would expect the manufacturer to be proactive in fixing the matter. The loss of just a few sales would be much greater than addressing manufacturer or retailer problems.

caveat emptor

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by billgewater

Seems to me that for such an expensive item (the water maker) the company, Spectra, should be responding positively to the leaking issues. These items are purchased to be used "off shore" where reliability is paramount and servicing should be a breeze.

To use a fitting that requires a specialist spanner reeks of bad design to me.

I think if you paid $11 000 for a new engine and it leaked oil, you would expect the manufacturer to be proactive in fixing the matter. The loss of just a few sales would be much greater than addressing manufacturer or retailer problems.

caveat emptor

They offered to ship (international express) a gasket at my expenses. They said the warranty doesn't cover shipping.

I told them I just paid international express shipping to get them to ship the unit to me last week and they didn't include all the parts.

I'm pretty disappointed.

[Morgali]

Originally Posted by crayiii

They offered to ship (international express) a gasket at my expenses. They said the warranty doesn't cover shipping.

I told them I just paid international express shipping to get them to ship the unit to me last week and they didn't include all the parts.

I'm pretty disappointed.

I'd be a damn sight more than disappointed. I'd be posting it on CruisersForum, and on Reddit, and every other damned high-traffic social media place I could find just to shine a light on bad behavior by a well known, reasonably well respected, considered gold-standard for the purpose, company and product.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by crayiii

They offered to ship (international express) a gasket at my expenses. They said the warranty doesn't cover shipping.

"That sounds like a policy question. I'd like to speak to the person who sets policy please."

[Tellie]

Or...you can call me and get it quickly resolved.

[a64pilot]

If this is for a standard 2.5”x10” filter vessel. They shouldn’t be hard to find, plus as it’s low pressure I feel certain I could make up a seal from string and wax it and it would work. Probably take many layers, not just one wrap, but I’d bet lunch it would work.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Or...you can call me and get it quickly resolved.

I sent you emails. Phone service is not good.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If this is for a standard 2.5”x10” filter vessel. They shouldn’t be hard to find, plus as it’s low pressure I feel certain I could make up a seal from string and wax it and it would work. Probably take many layers, not just one wrap, but I’d bet lunch it would work.

Yes, I can get it to work and that's what I'll do if I can't find a o-ring. I just really don't want salt water leaking into everything.

I can remove the o-ring from the flush filter and swap them back and forth. But you know, I shouldn't have to cludge something together.