Biocides, acid and alkaline for my 'new' watermaker

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pcatterall

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Just wondering about sourcing these chemicals to use with our 'new' ( thank you Nigel) water maker.
Thanks to the great article referred to on the forum we are getting to grips with the mysterious arts of pickling etc.
I wonder where these chemicals can best be obtained? specialist suppliers or elsewhere.
Any recommendations please?
 
that's what I bought from a local shop, but tbh I haven't pickled my w/m yet as I need to add another 3way valve to ease the process, just try to run it once a month at least for half an hour or so (even in port!) works for me (at least)
 
Sodium met, just leave it pickled, and refresh every six months if not used, or a year at a stretch. Give it a good flush through when ready to use.
 
pcatterall said:
The 'water maker bible' suggests that operating in port is a bit of a no no !
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seems that I'm lucky and/or there's not much oil in our harbour. I am aware of the theory.
Watermaker inlet is approx 500mm below waterline, oil is on the surface as far as I can see, so looks like I'm fine.
 
pcatterall said:
The 'water maker bible' suggests that operating in port is a bit of a no no !
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You can run them in port as long as the water isnt contaminated with oil. I would be more concerned about running just once a month assuming its not been run in oily water. After more than three days of non-running you risk microbiological fouling of the membrane and filters. I can imagine the condition after a month.
For the uk we pickle in food grade antifreeze. Propylene glycol, it is kinder to the membranes than sodium met
 
OK, I'll try to run it more often, but tbh for washing teeth and having a shower it seems OK didn't have any issues. maybe I should start adding tablets to the tanks as well.
 
I think the trouble with running in harbour is potentially two fold - often the water can hold a lot of silt etc which will block the prefilters quite quickly. Then the water may have a very high level of bacteria (you can guess why). Seeding the prefilters, carbon etc, never mind the elements themselves with a high contamination of bacteria is probably not a good idea as it will further contaminated the surfaces with a bacterial film even once they die.
 
What make is your watermaker. I have a Spectra and the instructions are very specific never to use anything other than their pickling solution. I am too frightened to try anything else as it does seem to work and I only pickle once or maybe twice in a year
TS
 
tudorsailor said:
What make is your watermaker. I have a Spectra and the instructions are very specific never to use anything other than their pickling solution. I am too frightened to try anything else as it does seem to work and I only pickle once or maybe twice in a year
TS
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In the States it is common to use food grade anti-freeze, propylene glycol. The HP membranes are all the same and not dependant on on the watermaker manufacturer. Spectra are simply getting you to buy their product so they can charge you money.
 
geem said:
In the States it is common to use food grade anti-freeze, propylene glycol. The HP membranes are all the same and not dependant on on the watermaker manufacturer. Spectra are simply getting you to buy their product so they can charge you money.
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A sensible marketing policy, or one you should expect - even if many ignore the idea and that the idea stretches the truth, slightly.

I think Spectra say or imply that the seals in their Clarke pump need to be watched as well and imply the wrong chemicals will result in leaks. They do sell a service kit, or did, for the Clarke pump. Now whether this is true or just an extension of their marketing policy - I don't know. But as Geem says - the HP membranes are all the same (from Dow ?), they are the expensive part. Its also difficult to believe that Spectra have unique and special seals and gaskets in the Clarke pump that are so sensitive. But if Spectra are being totally honest - it would be an expensive error to ignore what they say

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
A sensible marketing policy, or one you should expect - even if many ignore the idea and that the idea stretches the truth, slightly.

I think Spectra say or imply that the seals in their Clarke pump need to be watched as well and imply the wrong chemicals will result in leaks. They do sell a service kit, or did, for the Clarke pump. Now whether this is true or just an extension of their marketing policy - I don't know. But as Geem says - the HP membranes are all the same (from Dow ?), they are the expensive part. Its also difficult to believe that Spectra have unique and special seals and gaskets in the Clarke pump that are so sensitive. But if Spectra are being totally honest - it would be an expensive error to ignore what they say

Jonathan
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From the Spectra manual.
OP-1: WINTERIZING OR PICKLING WITH ANTIFREEZE
WARNING: Use only propylene glycol-based drinking water system antifreeze. Do not use ethylene glycol based automotive antifreeze, which is toxic.
Propylene glycol can be used instead of Spectra SC-1 storage chemical for storage in any climate up to one year by following this procedure.
The antifreeze formulations sold in marine and RV stores are pre-diluted with water. Since the water remaining in the watermaker before the storage procedure begins will further dilute the antifreeze, this will reduce the microbial protection and increase the temperature at which the mixture will freeze.

We use the undiluted version about £23/ gallon delivered
 
I found this on the Cruisers Forum
I have been lucky enough to end up refilling the cruising kitty by working at the Spectra factory for a couple years. Here is the scoop on chemicals. The black plastic parts of the Spectra watermaker are made of Acetal Resin (high grade Delrin). This material is rapidly attacked by acids below pH 4. It is very important to use Spectra pickling compound because it is specially made for Spectra with pH balance so that as it ages it stays nuetral. Citric Acid (Katadyn/PUR) and Sodium Meta Bisulfite (HRO) preservatives are acidic enough to ruin the Clark Pump. In fact Sodium Meta bisulfite breaks down into Sulfuric Acid. As far as cleaning solutions are concerned they only stay in the machine a short period of time so the use of other cleaners probably won't hurt anything.

TS
 
vas said:
OK, I'll try to run it more often, but tbh for washing teeth and having a shower it seems OK didn't have any issues. maybe I should start adding tablets to the tanks as well.
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If you are interested the 'bible' I refer to is by Gary E Albers and it is very informative. The harbour issue was oil and referred to the theory that most oil will float to the surface but advised that nearby boats discharging and propellers stirring things up could 'spread an oil cloud. Silt is also mentioned. He does say that many owners ignore these warnings and dont seem to suffer!

The propylene glycol alternative is interesting,
 
Acetal Resin seems to have a problem in watermaker buildling according to Wikipedia: "Acetal resins are sensitive to acid hydrolysis and oxidation by agents such as mineral acid and chlorine. POM homopolymer is also susceptible to alkaline attack and is more susceptible to degradation in hot water. Thus low levels of chlorine in potable water supplies (1–3 ppm) can be sufficient to cause environmental stress cracking, a problem experienced in both the US and Europe in domestic and commercial water supply systems. Defective mouldings are most sensitive to cracking, but normal mouldings can succumb if the water is hot. Both POM homopolymer and copolymer are stabilized to mitigate these types of degradation. "
 
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