Keep your marine watermaker running at peak performance with this complete maintenance and troubleshooting guide. Covers membrane care, pickling procedures, common problems, and when to call a professional.
Your marine watermaker is a precision reverse osmosis system that converts seawater into fresh drinking water. Regular maintenance ensures reliable performance and extends membrane life.
Check product water quality with a TDS meter. Normal reading: under 500 PPM (ideally under 300 PPM).
Run the watermaker for at least 30 minutes every 5-7 days. Stagnant water promotes biological growth.
Replace 20-micron pre-filter. Inspect hoses and fittings. Check pump oil level. Clean raw water strainer.
Replace 5-micron pre-filter. Perform acid wash. Inspect membrane housing O-rings.
Full chemical cleaning (alkaline + acid wash). Inspect pump seals. Calibrate pressure gauges. Professional inspection recommended.
Pickling preserves the membrane when not in use for 7+ days. Mix 1 tablespoon sodium metabisulfite per gallon of fresh water. Run through the system at low pressure until solution exits the brine discharge.
Important: Never use chlorinated water directly — chlorine destroys RO membranes.
Check: clogged pre-filter, fouled membrane, low feed pressure, worn pump, cold water temperature.
Check: worn membrane, O-ring leak, insufficient pressure, membrane seating.
Check: air leak in intake, failed check valve, worn pump seals, clogged strainer.
Prevention: run regularly, pickle when idle, install UV sterilizer, use quality pre-filtration. Treatment: alkaline wash (pH 11-12) then acid wash (pH 2-3).
Red tide: Do NOT run during red tide events. High sediment: Use dual pre-filtration near rivers and inlets. Marina water: Avoid running near fuel docks or pump-out stations.
Membrane replacement, pump rebuilds, electrical troubleshooting, installation, and any time TDS exceeds 500 PPM after cleaning.
Call Accumar Marine Services at 239-323-9600 for watermaker service in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples & SWFL.
In SWFL, you should replace your 20-micron pre-filter monthly and your 5-micron pre-filter every six months. This schedule helps maintain water quality and protects your system from the unique particulate challenges in our local waters.
To pickle your watermaker, mix one tablespoon of sodium metabisulfite per gallon of fresh water and run it through the system at low pressure until it exits the brine discharge. This process, crucial for boats in Fort Myers and surrounding areas, protects the membrane from biological growth during storage.
No, you should absolutely not run your marine watermaker during red tide events in the Gulf of Mexico or anywhere in SWFL. Red tide organisms can severely damage your membrane and compromise water quality.
You should call a professional like Accumar Marine Services in Cape Coral for membrane replacement, pump rebuilds, electrical issues, or if your product water TDS consistently exceeds 500 PPM after cleaning. We handle complex diagnostics and repairs efficiently.
To prevent membrane fouling in Florida's coastal waters, run your watermaker regularly, pickle it when idle for more than seven days, and use quality pre-filtration. Consider installing a UV sterilizer for an extra layer of protection against biological growth.
