Spectra Newport 400 - ressurection

[SVI]

Got a Newport 400 broken in pieces, but cheap (€300) - italian fisherman gave up on a broken feedpump ))

* Opened the Clark pump - looks all in order with no wear, two brass fitting for replacements, little rust cleaned.
* The feedpump was broken - ordered Procon pump head 240gph from Ebay.
* Sourcing a 3-phase 230V 500W motor locally, with 48YZ frame.
* Ordered a VFD.

The plan is:
- put all in manual operation
- put 1000psi pressure gauge (in test port?), 200psi feed pressure gauge is in place.
- use analog flow gauges (ordered).
- use my current three 2540 membranes in series,
- slowly increase RPMs with VFD and see what happens )

Any comments or suggestions?

[SVI]

Ordered parts:
- new stainless 240gph pump from Ebay ($55)
- 3/4hp 230v motor locally (€125).

Anyone want to forecast what is going to happen at 240gph at 100psi * 10?
Dow 2540 membrane datasheet state max. flow of 6gpm, so I can technically put a 330gph pump

[SVI]

Could not find single-phase FVD to control motor speed, so bought the prof kitchen fan switch ))

Looks good, powerful, cheap and with IP rating...

[Tellie]

I'm guessing the 240 psi pump will be too much for a 10% pump. A 10% Clark pump is matched and rated for a 140psi pump.

[SVI]

I never mention 240 psi, the pump will be set for 105psi.

Just with more flow (240gph) - the pump will be moving faster...

[Tellie]

A 10% pump and 105 psi will never drive three 40" membranes.

[SVI]

Originally Posted by Tellie

A 10% pump and 105 psi will never drive three 40" membranes.

Why not?
The pump make constant 240gph at whatever pressure I want (100-200psi)
240gph is enough for 3 membranes in series. And the pressure I can adjust as needed.

Correct me if I am wrong. But with rationale please

[Cowpoos]

Originally Posted by SVI

Why not?
The pump make constant 240gph at whatever pressure I want (100-200psi)
240gph is enough for 3 membranes in series. And the pressure I can adjust as needed.

Correct me if I am wrong. But with rationale please

You are limited by the volume the 10% pump can handle at pressure.

[SVI]

Update: I have started the watermaker - 10% clark pump with 240gph Procon pump and 500w motor.

No need to regulate frequency (no VFD) - at 230V 50hz from the inverter the membrane pressure is exactly at 1000 psi ��

Flow is 3.7gpm or 222gph. The pressure at the Procon pump is 7 bar (100psi) ��

Since I have two more pressure vessels - I will connect 2 and then 3 and check the production volume...

I need to fight suction of air before Procon (cavitation and noise), probably old filter vessels

[SVI]

Connected second membrane - pressure dropped to 800psi (better for membranes), production 2*50LH.
Electrical consumption 3.7A 230V 👍

[Tellie]

I'd strip that Clark pump completely down and check for scoring issue because of those 90 degree fittings. Also, this pump was stored with the wrong pickling solution and is showing signs of damage from this. Also what color were the check valve O-rings.

[SVI]

Originally Posted by Tellie

I'd strip that Clark pump completely down and check for scoring issue because of those 90 degree fittings. Also, this pump was stored with the wrong pickling solution and is showing signs of damage from this. Also what color were the check valve O-rings.

Thanks.
Disassembled, fittings changed to 316.
O-rings are white.
The whole thing was €300. I will order O-ring kit and change these, when I have I have the mood

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by SVI

Thanks.
Disassembled, fittings changed to 316.
O-rings are white.
The whole thing was €300. I will order O-ring kit and change these, when I have I have the mood

Good on changing to the 316. That will save you issues down the road and well worth the investment. If the Check valve O-rings are white then most assuredly the annular ring O-rings are the same white ones and these are critical to change out as a failure here (A certainty of failure if they have not already) will cause asymmetrical pressures. These are the only two places where these white O-rings are found on a Clark pump, the rest of the black ones should be re-usable.
For 300Euros it's well worth working on this watermaker!

[Jef & Marin, Netherlands]

In 2015 I have replaced the Spectra vane pump of our Newport 700 with a Procon vane pump. After a year or so this failed. It turns out the Procon pump I bought has a 2-part rotor/shaft, with a press fitting that failed. The Spectra vane pump has a one-part rotor/shaft. The Spectra vane pump is obviously a special version ordered by Spectra from Procon. What I did is I installed the old Spectra rotor in the new Procon vane pump. This worked fine since. Except the production is now down from 108 to 80 liters per hour, so I will install my spare vane pump one of these days.
Ours is one with the mechanical and not the magnetic coupling.
you might get the same issue with your Procon pump.
Correct me please when I am wrong

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Jef & Marin, Netherlands

In 2015 I have replaced the Spectra vane pump of our Newport 700 with a Procon vane pump. After a year or so this failed. It turns out the Procon pump I bought has a 2-part rotor/shaft, with a press fitting that failed. The Spectra vane pump has a one-part rotor/shaft. The Spectra vane pump is obviously a special version ordered by Spectra from Procon. What I did is I installed the old Spectra rotor in the new Procon vane pump. This worked fine since. Except the production is now down from 108 to 80 liters per hour, so I will install my spare vane pump one of these days.
Ours is one with the mechanical and not the magnetic coupling.
you might get the same issue with your Procon pump.
Correct me please when I am wrong

Your pump is a direct drive the newer pumps are mag drive. But the performance specs are the same. I would suspect the Clark pump may have some issue giving the lower production.