Instructions for the installation, use and maintenance of Tecnicomar watermaker
8-31
8
Common problems and troubleshooting
A list of most frequent problems is given below.
8.1
First start-up
Problem: there is no water in the low-pressure circuit.
Effect: After approximately 20 seconds of operation the system shuts down activating the low-pressure alarm.
Check that:
The sea water inlet valve is open;
The low-pressure piping is tightened correctly;
The filter sumps are tightened correctly;
The prefilter O-rings are correctly placed (fig. 8);
The three-way valve is set correctly;
The sense of rotation of the booster pump is correct (for three-phase systems only).
If, after having checked the above, the problem continues, it is advisable to pressurize the sea water inlet circuit
(through a surge pump or with tap water under pressure), using the flushing connection of the three-way valve (turn the
handle in the flushing position, refer to drawing 3).
This operation will help to eliminate the infiltrated air.
8.2
Start-up after the replacement of filter cartridges
Problem: there is no water in the low-pressure circuit.
Effect: After about 20 seconds in operation the system shuts down activating the LOW PRESSURE alarm. Do not
repeat the start-up more than twice.
If the problem persists, check that:
The filter sumps are tightened correctly;
The O-rings are in well setted;
The filter sumps are filled with water.
Problem: the watermaker starts up, but it shuts down after several seconds with the HIGH PRESSURE alarm on.
Check: make sure that the pressure control valve is open (turn counterclockwise).
8.3
Low pressure failure
Problem: the watermaker starts up and shuts down after about 20 seconds with the LOW PRESSURE alarm on.
Checks:
if the low pressure (Lbar) is less than 0.3 bar the filtering cartridges should be replaced.
If the low pressure (Lbar) is 0 (zero) bar check that:
sea water inlet is open
sense of rotation of booster pump is correct (for three-phase systems only)
the inlet pipe is clean.
8.4
Low pressure failure during normal operation
Problem: during normal operation the watermaker shuts down with the LOW PRESSURE alarm on.
Checks: if the inlet pressure is less than 0.3 bar, filtering cartridges should be replaced.
If the inlet pressure is 0 (zero) bar, check the inlet pipe.
8.5
Operation with vessel in navigation, rough sea and LOW PRESSURE alarm on
Check the inlet pressure; if it is regular (approx. 0.8 bar), air may have entered the inlet pipe.
The same problem may cause also the HIGH PRESSURE alarm to go on because of the presence of air in the plumbing
and of the consequent variations in the operating pressure.
