Click for Northern Lights Click for Abeking Click for Mulder Click for Westport Click for Ocean Alexander

Water Maker Oil

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by ArielM, Apr 22, 2011.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. ArielM, Apr 22, 2011
    #1
    ArielM

    ArielM Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2010
    Messages:
    179
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I have a 600gpd sea recovery water maker and the manual says to change oil in the crank case every 50 hours or 3 months (whichever comes first). I understand that the oil needs to be changed after a defined amount of usage but where does the 3 months come from? Am i safe to assume that every 50 hours or 1 year would suffice?
  2. K1W1, Apr 23, 2011
    #2
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,427
    Location:
    My Office
    Hi,

    3 Months or 50 hrs of use is obviously the time the Pump Manufacturers feel is sufficient for the oil to deteriorate by use or non use to the point where it needs changing.

    Is it a CAT HP Pump in your R.O. Plant?
  3. Capt J, Apr 23, 2011
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,530
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    The oil probably builds up a lot of heat when the pump is running and as the oil cools down probably gets condensation in it. I am guessing that's where they get the 3 months from, they don't want the oil sitting in the pump with too much condensation in it.
  4. corinthian99, Apr 23, 2011
    #4
    corinthian99

    corinthian99 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Messages:
    71
    Location:
    London, UK
    Would've thought it would be a CAT - is in our Sea Recoverys although the labels have been removed and painted over.

    Oddly CAT pumps are always specced in HEM RO units but the oil change interval is many times that and I believe the actual CAT requirements are greater still. Out of the office right now so can't check.

    Surely Sea Recovery can't be trying to bump up the profits on the sly? No, they wouldn't do that, ... definitely not.
  5. K1W1, Apr 23, 2011
    #5
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,427
    Location:
    My Office
    Hi,

    I believe it is either 50 hrs or 3 months so even if the pump doesn't run 3 months should see an Oil Change even though there has been no heat in the oil through operations.

    Like the previous poster I do not have access to any manuals for HEM Systems that use CAT Pumps right now but will have a look next week if I remember and post the intervals they use there if it has not been posted already.
  6. corinthian99, Apr 27, 2011
    #6
    corinthian99

    corinthian99 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Messages:
    71
    Location:
    London, UK
    Hi

    Just had a look on the CAT pumps website and leafed through their product literature. I thought the 50 hrs sounded excessive - the initial service is at 50 and then its at 500 hrs thereafter. Bear in mind that this is using CAT Pumps proprietary oil, otherwise they recomend changes at 300hrs.

    From memory HEM reccomend changes at 300hrs.

    Don't take this as gospel as I don't know exactly which pump model you have - do a spot of homework and then get on the CAT website, catpumps.com

    On a related note I've just received my quotes for spare parts on our Sea Recovery units - captain had to use smelling salts to get me round again. Think I'll be doing a little reverse engineering to get those prices down :(