How to Flush Your Watermaker

Welcome to another informative article on our unique and adventurous website, dedicated to those who are leaving the rat race behind, purchasing a boat, and setting sail to explore the world with their families. In this article, we will discuss the importance of flushing your watermaker and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it properly. This is an essential maintenance task for anyone living the sailing lifestyle, as it ensures the longevity and efficiency of your watermaker and desalination system.

Table of Contents

• Why Flushing Your Watermaker is Important
• When to Flush Your Watermaker
• Types of Flushing
  • Freshwater Flush
  • Chemical Flush
• Step-by-Step Guide to Flushing Your Watermaker
  • Freshwater Flush
  • Chemical Flush
• Additional Tips and Tricks
• Conclusion

Why Flushing Your Watermaker is Important

A watermaker is an essential piece of equipment for any long-term sailing adventure. It allows you to convert seawater into fresh, potable water, ensuring that you and your family have a reliable source of drinking water while at sea. However, like any piece of equipment, a watermaker requires regular maintenance to ensure it continues to function efficiently and effectively.

One of the most important maintenance tasks for a watermaker is flushing. Flushing your watermaker helps to remove any accumulated salt, minerals, and other impurities from the system, preventing them from building up and causing damage to the delicate membranes and other components. Regular flushing can significantly extend the life of your watermaker and ensure that it continues to produce high-quality fresh water for you and your family.

When to Flush Your Watermaker

The frequency with which you should flush your watermaker depends on several factors, including the type of watermaker you have, the quality of the seawater you are using, and how often you are using the system. As a general rule, it is recommended that you flush your watermaker at least once a week, or after every 8-10 hours of operation. However, if you are using your watermaker in particularly dirty or contaminated water, you may need to flush it more frequently to prevent damage and maintain optimal performance.

It’s also important to flush your watermaker before and after any extended periods of non-use, such as when you are leaving your boat for an extended period or putting it into storage. This helps to prevent any stagnant water from sitting in the system and causing damage or contamination.

Types of Flushing

There are two main types of flushing that you should perform on your watermaker: freshwater flushing and chemical flushing. Each type of flushing serves a different purpose and should be performed at different intervals to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your watermaker.

Freshwater Flush

A freshwater flush is the most basic and frequent type of flushing that you should perform on your watermaker. This involves running fresh water through the system to remove any accumulated salt, minerals, and other impurities. Freshwater flushing should be performed at least once a week, or after every 8-10 hours of operation, to prevent the buildup of contaminants and maintain the efficiency of your watermaker.

Chemical Flush

A chemical flush is a more thorough and intensive type of flushing that involves using a specialized cleaning solution to remove any stubborn contaminants and biofouling from the system. Chemical flushing should be performed less frequently than freshwater flushing, typically every 3-6 months, depending on the usage and water conditions. Performing a chemical flush can help to extend the life of your watermaker’s membranes and other components, ensuring that it continues to produce high-quality fresh water for you and your family.

Step-by-Step Guide to Flushing Your Watermaker

In this section, we will provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to perform both a freshwater flush and a chemical flush on your watermaker. While the exact procedure may vary slightly depending on the make and model of your watermaker, the general principles and steps should be applicable to most systems.

Freshwater Flush

1. Turn off the watermaker: Before you begin the flushing process, make sure that your watermaker is turned off and not producing water.

2. Close the seawater intake valve: Locate the seawater intake valve on your watermaker and close it to prevent any additional seawater from entering the system during the flush.

3. Connect a freshwater source: Connect a hose or other suitable freshwater source to the freshwater flush port on your watermaker. This port is typically located near the seawater intake valve and should be clearly labeled.

4. Open the freshwater flush valve: Locate the freshwater flush valve on your watermaker and open it to allow fresh water to flow through the system.

5. Turn on the freshwater source: Turn on the freshwater source to begin flushing the watermaker. You should see water flowing through the system and out of the brine discharge port.

6. Flush for the recommended duration: Allow the freshwater to flow through the watermaker for the recommended duration, typically 5-10 minutes. This should be sufficient to remove any accumulated salt, minerals, and other impurities from the system.

7. Turn off the freshwater source: Once the flushing process is complete, turn off the freshwater source and disconnect the hose.

8. Close the freshwater flush valve: Close the freshwater flush valve on your watermaker to prevent any additional water from entering the system.

9. Open the seawater intake valve: Open the seawater intake valve on your watermaker to resume normal operation.

Chemical Flush

1. Prepare the chemical flush solution: Before you begin the chemical flush, you will need to prepare the appropriate cleaning solution for your watermaker. This typically involves mixing a specialized cleaning agent with fresh water, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to use the correct cleaning agent for your specific watermaker, as using the wrong agent can cause damage to the membranes and other components.

2. Turn off the watermaker: Ensure that your watermaker is turned off and not producing water before you begin the chemical flush.

3. Close the seawater intake valve: Locate the seawater intake valve on your watermaker and close it to prevent any additional seawater from entering the system during the flush.

4. Connect the chemical flush solution: Connect a suitable container or reservoir containing the prepared chemical flush solution to the freshwater flush port on your watermaker. This port is typically located near the seawater intake valve and should be clearly labeled.

5. Open the chemical flush valve: Locate the chemical flush valve on your watermaker (this may be the same as the freshwater flush valve) and open it to allow the cleaning solution to flow through the system.

6. Turn on the chemical flush pump: Turn on the chemical flush pump (if your watermaker is equipped with one) to begin circulating the cleaning solution through the system. If your watermaker does not have a dedicated chemical flush pump, you may need to use an external pump or manually circulate the solution through the system.

7. Flush for the recommended duration: Allow the cleaning solution to flow through the watermaker for the recommended duration, typically 30-60 minutes. This should be sufficient to remove any stubborn contaminants and biofouling from the system.

8. Turn off the chemical flush pump: Once the flushing process is complete, turn off the chemical flush pump (or stop manually circulating the solution) and disconnect the container or reservoir.

9. Perform a freshwater flush: After completing the chemical flush, it is important to perform a freshwater flush to remove any residual cleaning solution from the system. Follow the steps outlined in the Freshwater Flush section above to complete this process.

10. Open the seawater intake valve: Once the freshwater flush is complete, open the seawater intake valve on your watermaker to resume normal operation.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Always consult your watermaker’s owner’s manual for specific instructions and recommendations regarding flushing and maintenance. The manual should provide detailed information on the correct procedures, cleaning agents, and flush durations for your specific system.

• Keep a log of your watermaker’s usage and maintenance activities, including flushing. This can help you track the performance of your system and ensure that you are performing the necessary maintenance tasks at the appropriate intervals.

• If you notice a decline in the performance or water quality of your watermaker, it may be an indication that it is time for a more thorough cleaning or maintenance. Consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for guidance on the appropriate steps to take.

Conclusion

Flushing your watermaker is an essential maintenance task that can significantly extend the life of your system and ensure that it continues to produce high-quality fresh water for you and your family. By following the steps outlined in this article and performing regular freshwater and chemical flushes, you can help to keep your watermaker in optimal condition and enjoy the freedom and fulfillment that comes from choosing an unconventional path, embracing the open sea, and spending quality time with your family.