Watermaker output low??

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

AMI rolls and glues their membranes by hand, Dow has a gazillion dollar automated membrane production facility where everything is done by precision machine. I've been to AMI and seen the membrane production and it's a damn miracle any of their membranes have consistency and reliability after the mess I saw in Vista Ca. We tested their 40" membranes as an alternative to the Dow SW30-2540 and cut the test short and ran away fast. You get what you pay for with a discount membrane.

So it could easily just be a bum membrane.

Applied Membranes is not the only membrane manufacturer to roll and "Glue" the membrane leaves to the permeate tube. This is exactly why I highly recommend FilmTec membranes. Dow has a patented process that mechanically attaches the membrane leaves and are the only manufacturer that does so at this time. Everybody else has to wait until their patent goes away. Until then, every membrane manufacturer says the exact same thing... "Our membranes are as good as filmtec. Just cheaper" FilmTec is the membrane every other manufacturer tries to match and can't. which is why they cost more, but hands down are the best on the market.

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by Seman

I have checked the HP pump output.
No load 0.57 US GPM, under load combined brine & perm. about 0.25 GPM.
Is this normal?

It would depend on which 708 series titan pump you have. there is a -1 through a -5 series pump and all flow differently. Check below for what your HP pump should be flowing.

http://www.greenmarine.com/wp-conten...eries_2013.pdf

[Paul L]

If you look at this PDF you'll see the low flow membranes called out separately from the standard ones
http://www.villagemarine.com/images/..._Membranes.pdf

[Seman]

Thanks for help.
After getting confirmation from the supplier of the membrane,WaterAnywhere, that the membrane I purchased was suitable for the VM 200, I bought another membrane from VM.
Now the TDS was 300 instead of 1600.
I checked on WaterAnywhere's website, their membrane was still listed as suitable for the VM 200.
After contacting WaterAnywhere, they realised their mistake & send me a refund. They sell 2 38'' membranes, 1 suitable for 550 GPD, the other 200 GPD.
I had received the 550 GPD membrane.
The company will correct the mistake on their website.
After pulling the membane housing apart 5 times and twice the pump apart, I am happy to say my water is good now.
Thanks again for your help, Cheers.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Seman

Thanks for help.
After getting confirmation from the supplier of the membrane,WaterAnywhere, that the membrane I purchased was suitable for the VM 200, I bought another membrane from VM.
Now the TDS was 300 instead of 1600.
I checked on WaterAnywhere's website, their membrane was still listed as suitable for the VM 200.
After contacting WaterAnywhere, they realised their mistake & send me a refund. They sell 2 38'' membranes, 1 suitable for 550 GPD, the other 200 GPD.
I had received the 550 GPD membrane.
The company will correct the mistake on their website.
After pulling the membane housing apart 5 times and twice the pump apart, I am happy to say my water is good now.
Thanks again for your help, Cheers.

Good to hear the vendor agreed to a refund. I went through the same process, but there was no refund in the end.

[sailalibi]

While testing out a rebuilt katadyn model 80 water maker I inadvertently used unfiltered rock water. Is my new membrane toast? I ran about 5 gallons mixed with non iodized salt through it.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by sailalibi

While testing out a rebuilt katadyn model 80 water maker I inadvertently used unfiltered rock water. Is my new membrane toast? I ran about 5 gallons mixed with non iodized salt through it.

There is ONLY one way to know....
Run the water maker in Sea water and measure your TDS.

[sailalibi]

Thanks Rich! That was Dock water not rock..I am concerned about the chlorine problem. The seawater at the marina here in Beaufort SC is shall we say not too clean.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by sailalibi

Thanks Rich! That was Dock water not rock..I am concerned about the chlorine problem. The seawater at the marina here in Beaufort SC is shall we say not too clean.

The Katadyn membranes are far more resilieant than others. I'd doubt if you did any damage. As Rich recommended, run it in open water and test the product with a TDS meter.