Testing Desalination System with No Saltwater ?

[mdsilvers]

My boat is almost finished. Hurray. However, since it is being built in San Fernando, Argentina, it is not near saltwater. Is there a recommended way to test the watermaker before I leave port and sail 2-3 days to the sea? I wasn't sure and am concerned about leaving with the boat and not having the watermaker fully tested.

I has the SeaRecovery Ultra Whisper 600.

Thanks.

[Tellie]

You can easily make your own salt water to test your system. Try "Instant Ocean" Product Catalog

Any decent pet store with salt water aquariums have solutions to make sea water.

[mdsilvers]

Agree. I'll be doing this method to try out the pump. Here in Argentina so logistics are a little challenging but should be easy to add salt to water, make a 5 gallon bucket of brine and see if working properly.

[stevensuf]

make sure not to use tap water.. chlorine will kill the membrane, good natural spring bottled water and a few tea spoons of salt will do the job

[mdsilvers]

THANKS steven. I did not know that...and would have killed the membrane. I'll use bottled water and add salt...THANKS AGAIN!

[Tellie]

Actually stevensuf is right, chlorine found in tap water can destroy a saltwater membrane. But it would take a lot more than four gallons even recylced. But absolutly use four or five gallons of distilled water. Remember to route your pick up line, your brine discharge line, and your product tube into the same five gallon bucket.
Also this is very important! If your system is pickled (stored with a chemical agent) you will have to first flush out the storage chemicals without applying pressure to the system. This can be done with your boats fresh water system routed through a new charcoal filter designed for watermakers. Your Sea Recovery should already be plumbed this way. If you're not sure if your system has been pickled, treat it like it has been. You'll cause damage to the membrane by pressurizing the system while storage solution is still present. This should be covered in your manual. If you don't have one or are unsure on what to do you can always ask me first.