EcoTec watermaker help needed.

[AZ_Zoner]

We have a Ecotec 12 volt watermaker that has been giving us hi PPM readings lately. It's rated at 13 gph and we run at 900 psi. And we normally run it every 2 to 3 days.

It's a new boat to us and it did sit for a while so I thought*maybe by installing a new membrane would resolve the problem. It started with a reading of 220PPM*and over the next 3 to 4 months it* has gone to over 500ppm.*I replaced the membrane with a DOW Filmtec and now I can not get below 600ppm. I've checked the membrane*seal to make sure it was seated correctly. I changed out every o-ring on it. All the pre filters are new.* What am I missing?* Any suggestions on what to try next.

Thanks for any help on this.

Craig

[markxengineerin]

Simple things first, are you sure the sensor is accurate/ does the water taste different?

[AZ_Zoner]

Pretty sure it is correct on the reading. I have two sensors and both read almost the same. I've test bottle water and it low. Compared the reading of a friends water and it is similar to his sensor. As far as taste, its fine.

[Tin Tin]

What model Dow Membrane did you put in?

[Fuss]

Originally Posted by AZ_Zoner

Pretty sure it is correct on the reading. I have two sensors and both read almost the same. I've test bottle water and it low. Compared the reading of a friends water and it is similar to his sensor. As far as taste, its fine.

Well, if it tastes fine, it is fine.
Or to put it another way, does it taste strange…then it’s not fine.

[GordMay]

ECHOTec Model 780-DML-2, 1300-DML-3, & 1800-DML-4

OWNERS MANUAL ➥ https://echotecwatermakers.com/wp-co...800-Manual.pdf

Cleaning Procedure ➥ https://youtu.be/5ViYbvfU4_k

ECHOTec are located in Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
Telephone: 1-868-634-2027
Toll Free: +1-888-952-5344
Fax: 1-868-634-2026
Email: echotect@echo-marine.com

[Fuss]

The problem is that what do you want to tell echotec, then they will send you some parts maybe. One thing for sure is that it is not leaking seawater past the seals or you would taste this immediately.
So it can only be the membrane that is reacting different to the old one. The problem is not "yet" big enough that it is altering the taste so I would leave it. if it gets worse and starts to taste then the problem will perhaps be easier to diagnose and if it is the membrane then this will become apparent and you will need a new one.
Also, in the past, when the membrane was damaged through abuse, it often improved over some time running. The membranes are not as delicate as you think and can handle some stupidity and abuse and then start to come right again. but usually by this stage, its time to think about a new one. Its usually the time between running that damages them.

Its got 1 membrane right...if it had 2 , you could bypass one and compare each.

[AZ_Zoner]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

What model Dow Membrane did you put in?

I have the SW30 2540. And Just one.

[markxengineerin]

Were the o rings replaced with the exact ones required from the manufacturer, or from an o ring kit or diy measurements? Any chance the o ring grooves or mating surfaces where scratched? Plastic ones are easy to scratch w/ sharp tools when removing old o rings which have glued themselves together over time. Any abnormal restrictions in either the product or waste discharge systems?

[Tin Tin]

Originally Posted by AZ_Zoner

I have the SW30 2540. And Just one.

The Echotec owners manual says minimum 500ppm.


The Dow Filmtec website has a bunch of instructions about installation and provided you followed them you may get a warranty claim - give them a call. The biggest issue is chlorine, so I assume you did not have town water in your tanks or had recently cleaned with bleach etc to do the initial flush through the new membrane. You may know all this of course.


As an aside we bought a used boat with a similar set up. When we first went away the reading was 300ppm. Then we moved to warmer waters and the reading went to 600ppm. Apparently in warmer and more saline water the TDS will increase . The membranes you have show a salt rejection rate of 99.4% - so the higher the sea salt the higher the TDS.



There are a few models, but this from the Filmtec site :


"SW30 – Seawater RO membrane, typically used for low-salinity or cold seawater RO and high-salinity
brackish water RO
SW30HR – Seawater RO membrane with high salt rejection, typically used for single-pass seawater
desalination"



If you want to get buried in the science read this from Filmtec:


https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/d...-D01504-en.pdf

[Madehn]

“Well, if it tastes fine, it is fine.
Or to put it another way, does it taste strange…then it’s not fine.“

Not so sure the above is true. I was under the impression that water they had high range of tds could promote health issues like kidney stones even though it tasted ok. Am I incorrect on that???

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Madehn

“Well, if it tastes fine, it is fine.
Or to put it another way, does it taste strange…then it’s not fine.“
Not so sure the above is true.

Different people's "salt taste sensitivity threshold" varies considerably. For instance, those of us with hypertension, tend to have a higher threshold [less sensitive], than others.
Certainly, a high range of TDS could promote health issues.

[Fuss]

Well you need a middle ground, this thread examples how a tds meter causes unnecessary concern.

[Statistical]

While tds of 400 to 600 is higher than expected from keep in mind the US federal target (no hard requirement is 500 ppm.

Since you replaced the filter and things got worse not better I am going to guess there is some seal somewhere letting a very small amount of salt water around the membrane.

[AZ_Zoner]

A quick update, I'm in Antigua this week and found a water maker shop that could bench test our membrane. It tested really good. the owner of the shop is pretty much convinced that we need to rebuild the pump head as it is not producing the volume of salt water to flow through the membrane. I will be pulling the pump head off later today and he will be ordering a seal kit for it.

I'll update again in a week or so when it's up and running again.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

Craig