Spectra Watermaker Ventura 150 no pressure

[OleLagoon380]

Hi all,

the WM works since 2016 fine.
This spring I want to purge/flush the biocide out, but nothing happens.
I changed already the Shurflo feed pump, filled all hoses and filters with seawater, checked for leaks, but there is no pressure on the flow pressure gauge and the biocide or water will no flush through (I checked into a bucket with mounted filters).

Settings are
The pressure relief is half open.
The sample valve is set into sample position.
Inlet valve and brine discharging valve are open.
Service switch: Off

What I'm doubtful about: The service switch I put on mode "off" for this cleaning procedure. This is the way it worked last year as far I can trust my operating checklist.

Do you have any advice?
Thanks in advance
Ole

[Paul L]

Set the service valve to Run.

[OleLagoon380]

Dear Paul,
thanks a lot. This was the solution.
I flushed / purged for 30 min, which was ok. I did it later in a bucket also, to see the outcome, which was approx. 3 Gal a min.

But not production is possible anymore.
At the beginning I had 50 PSI and 2 GPH production.
But now only 10 PSI and no production anymore.
I will read the manual what is recommended now.
Maybe you have an idea.
Many thanks in advance
Ole

[Nicholson58]

My pump occasionally gets air locked. I open the pressure fresh water flush valve repeatedly until the air is purged.

[OleLagoon380]

Thank you.

I purged the biocide out for 30 minutes. So all air must be gone. Or?
Now it seems the Clark Pump do not produce sufficient pressure. It remains at 10 PSI or so.

The Shurflo Pump is constantly running and the pressure screw is pretty much turned into (more the pump before). But no measurement has been taken by now.

[Paul L]

You can test the shurflo pump by taking the discharge hose and folding it over to block it. The pump pressure should quickly rise to its cut off point around 125psi.

[Tellie]

What are the final pressures, production, and PPM readings?

[OleLagoon380]

Hi all,

I did not adjust the pressure of the new pump by now.
Because the screw to adjust is more turned in then in the pump before. And turning in is valid for more pressure was my thought by now....But I have to learn about....

@ Paul: My question about pressure adjusting is: I should run the WM and close the water outlet or fold the water outlet hose and watch the feed water pressure at the gauge until it will rise to 125 PSI and the pump switches off. Is this correct?

@ Tellie: Now I have low pressure like for purge out the biocide. Last year everything works fine with 18 Liters per hour and PPM readings where good as well. This year I did not produced any water by now.

[Tellie]

Turning the screw has no effect on the pressures nor does it raise or lower the pressures. This is only a cut out switch to when the pump hits the determined set pressure it shuts off. On your system it should be set to shut off at 125psi. Low pressures on these pump heads is due to either a worn pump head (replacement required), low voltage, or perhaps the pressure relief valve is not closed. Rarely is it the motor itself, but it does happen occasionally.

[OleLagoon380]

Dear Tellie,

thank you very much.

I bought a new pump.
This pump is working, I could purge the biocide out like it should.

The pressure relief valve is maybe the remaining issue. When I closed it recently, me feeling was not like before, there was no "hard" point of closing when I turned the weel of the valve. When I closed the valve I can hear the systems starts to increase the pressure, but then it failed.

Do you have an idea how I can check the valve function?
Thanks in advance!
Ole

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by OleLagoon380

Dear Tellie,

thank you very much.

I bought a new pump.
This pump is working, I could purge the biocide out like it should.

The pressure relief valve is maybe the remaining issue. When I closed it recently, me feeling was not like before, there was no "hard" point of closing when I turned the weel of the valve. When I closed the valve I can hear the systems starts to increase the pressure, but then it failed.

Do you have an idea how I can check the valve function?
Thanks in advance!
Ole

Hi Ole,

The pressure relief valve is probably not the issue. Check to make sure that there is still a small red O-ring in the orifice where the pressure relief valve threads into. Just unscrew it all the way out and look inside. Sometimes the red O-ring comes out with the pressure relief valve. Just give it a once over and if the O-ring looks good then it is. Once you close down the pressure relief valve how long do you let it run before the pressures fail? Also, when you say fail, does the pressure gauge drop to zero and how long does it take to drop off? Do me a favor, run the system and record the pressure's for 30 seconds on the pressure gauge (a 30 sec video would help a lot. Also record the flow meter as well for 30 seconds.) If you could text them to me at the number below this will tell me at least 80% of what is or is not happening with your watermaker and what next steps to take if we need to dig further or what it will take to fix any issues. Talk to you soon.

Best Regards J.T. Halden
HaldenMarineService@yahoo.com
(954) 515-7077

[OleLagoon380]

Hi Terrie,

thank a lot.
The red o-ring is in a good shape.
I send you an email with two vids to your email address.
Thank you very much in advance.
Ole

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by OleLagoon380

Hi Terrie,

thank a lot.
The red o-ring is in a good shape.
I send you an email with two vids to your email address.
Thank you very much in advance.
Ole

I checked my E-mails and did not see it. Please try again or you can text them to my phone number as well.

HaldenMarineService@yahoo.com
(954) 515-7077

[OleLagoon380]

Hi Terrie,
sorry, the files are too large for email.
I send them again with a dropbox link for download.
Ole

[OleLagoon380]

Hi all,
I checked the pressure of my new Shurlfo Pump.
The pump switches off at 125 PSI like it should be.
I did not need to turn the screw to adjust.
But when I run the watermaker with a closed pressure relief, the pressure not came up over 25 PSI and not water will be produced.
So I will winterise the WM again....
Thanks Ole