Our Shenker/Procon water maker pump has failed for the third time in two years, and that’s despite us being in a marina and not using it for a year. We’ve pickle it as required.
John suggests we may also need to pickle it every six months, even if we’re living permanently on the boat. Has anyone else done this? I haven’t heard of that before.
After the first failure, we argued with ProCon pumps and even paid $100 to ship it back to Ireland, hoping the $800 warranty would cover it. They claimed it was our fault.
Someone also mentioned air in the lines, but given how Knysna has designed it, I don’t see how that could happen.
Carolyn is diligent about changing the 5-micron filters regularly, and we avoid making water in rough seas to prevent air from being induced into the lines.
This has been very frustrating. I now keep three spare pumps on board since this issue happens so often.
Does anyone have suggestions about what we might be doing wrong? Is anyone else experiencing this issue?
I changed the pump, and while the hoses were disconnected, I opened the through-hull to check the flow. I got full-throttle water coming through, so there’s no blockage.
However, I noticed air bubbles going through the line! Since we’re in a calm marina, it couldn’t be the through-hull causing the issue.
When I tightened the filter canister, the bubbles stopped! On our boat, the canister was installed in a very inconvenient location, making it hard for me to reach down there. Carolyn has been handling it, but it’s difficult for her, and she doesn’t have the strength to tighten it as much as it should be.
I’m hoping this was the issue. We’ll see. Knysna should really place these serviceable items in a more convenient location
On our previous boat we did have a long standing battle with our water maker (also a Schenker but smaller) and we learnt a lot.
On our Knysna #97 (with the Schenker Modular 100) which is coming up to two years old we are using the original Climma Amer MP80M electric motor and Procon pump head. These pumps are “vane” pumps and do not like running dry - but they are designed to self prime at a 1m lift so I would expect it to handle a few bubbles with no issues. The pump head itself (procon) is separate to the electric motor that drives it. ( Rotary Vane Pump Series 5- 1WEA330A11XX | PROCON®PUMPS)
When you say its not working - what are the symptoms?
We have used our water maker most days since new and other than the obvious filter changes it has performed well and made 1000’s of gallons.
I’m not sure there are too many options for where to install the initial strainer - the installation diagrams show it below the waterline, the installation notes say “The filter has to be connected next to the through-hull fittings, and must be easily accessible for inspection.” Ours is situated by the seacock in the bilge near the bilge pump. When I am working with it I carefully stand down in the hull then I can sit on the floor by the hatch.
As to pickling every six months - my understanding is that would only be needed if you are leaving the unit pickled long term - its supposedly to refresh the biocides but there is as always debate about how necessary it is and there are pros and cons. (We have never pickled this one).
Note: On our boat we did ask KYC to install the main unit with the membranes in the space under the locker forward of the main cabin shower to get it out of the way and free up valuable cupboard space, we are very happy with this solution.
We were getting “Blocked” on the panel but the vanes had disintegrated so no water was getting through and the water maker was thinking it was line blocked.
We should have known, we had changed the filters a day before and black residue was on the 5 micron filter. I think the vanes are made from carbon maybe and was the start of the failure.
The strainer is just in a very hard to get location. Someday I’ll move it to the other side of the bulk head in the bilge. It would be very easy once I get more plumbing lines to reroute.
There is a water maker on a boat Facebook page that is helpful. The top people at Schenker are on the group. They tend to jump in if you discuss frustration with their equipment.
Fabio Pedosta was the head of customer service and tech support. Not sure if he still is. He would reply to WhatsApp. +39 345 4025535
I’ve found Schenker doesn’t own up to issues, but at least they help troubleshoot. I had a horrible experience with Titan Marine in Fort Lauderdale, but the west coast guy is amazing and seems to have forgotten more about water makers than most anyone knows. The west coast Schenker dealer is Rich Boren. +1 (619) 609-3432.
Our water maker broke 4 times our last season in the Bahamas. Some issues were caused by Titan. I had to completely tear down the main unit and install new pistons. They were defective, and Schenker knew it but wouldn’t stand behind it. I posted the info on tearing it down on the Knysna Facebook group.
