The ECHO Tec. Watermakers PRO SERIES is a vertical system designed for reverse osmosis desalination, suitable for small hotels, marinas, and beach houses. It converts seawater into high-quality potable water, offering an economical alternative to land-supplied water. The system is available in several models: 500-PRO-1, 900-PRO-2, 1200-PRO-3, and 1500-PRO-4, operating at 230V/50Hz.
Function Description:
The device utilizes reverse osmosis technology to remove salts and other impurities from seawater. It is a fully assembled desalination system housed in an aluminum vertical frame, featuring a shock-mounted 316Ti high-pressure pump, control panels, RO vessels, and a 5 and 20 micron cartridge filtration system. The process involves drawing in seawater, filtering it through pre-filters, and then pushing it through RO membranes at high pressure to separate pure water from brine. The system includes a fresh water flush kit for maintenance and a handheld TDS meter to monitor product water quality.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Rated Performance (at 26°C / 80°F water temperature and 35g/l salinity):
- 500-PRO-1: min. 20 gallons – 75 liters / hour
- 900-PRO-2: min. 38 gallons – 140 liters / hour
- 1200-PRO-3: min. 50 gallons – 210 liters / hour
- 1500-PRO-4: min. 60 gallons – 260 liters / hour
- Note: Performance may decrease by 10-15% in the first year.
- RO Membrane Type: Standard size high rejection TFC Polyamide, thin film composite, spiral wound, single pass reverse osmosis element.
- Salt Rejection: min. 99.5%
- Salinity Range:
- System 500 / 900: up to 50,000 ppm TDS (NaCl)
- System 1200: up to 40,000 ppm TDS (NaCl)
- System 1500: up to 36,000 ppm TDS (NaCl)
- PH Range: 4 – 11
- Chlorine Tolerance: 1000 ppm hours
- Operating Pressure: 725 to 800 psi (continuous duty)
- Feed Water Pressure: 0 to 60 psi
- Feed Water Temperature Range: min. 33°F / 0.5°C, max 113°F / 45°C
- Electrical Power Requirements:
- 230V 50Hz single phase: 11.2 amps at 230V
- 220/380/440V 50Hz three phase: 3.8 amps at 380V
- Safety Switch Off Functions:
- High RO pressure: above 1000 PSI
- Low high-pressure pump feed pressure: below 1.5 PSI
- High product salinity (optional)
- Included Components:
- 1 Fresh water flush kit with hose and 316SS hose clamps
- 1 Product water tube 10ft / 3m
- 1 Reject hose ½" 10ft / 3m with 2pcs 316SS hose clamps
- 1 Intake hose ¾" 10ft / 3m with 2pcs 316SS hose clamps
- 1 Handheld TDS Meter
- 1 Biocide solution, 1 acid cleaning solution, 1 alkaline cleaning solution
- 1 Owners Manual
Usage Features:
- Installation: The system should be positioned in a cool, dry location and mounted using all four mounting holes. Electrical installation must be performed by a professional electrician, ensuring correct voltage. An optional seawater feed pump should be mounted below the waterline and connected to the vessel's sea strainer and the desalination system's pre-filter assembly. Product water outlets are designated for "SAMPLE" (test station) and "TANK" (storage tank). Reject water is routed from the pressure control valve to a thru-hull fitting or drain. The fresh water flush kit connects to the flush port of the three-way service valve at the pre-filter assembly, with pressurized fresh water supplied to its shut-off valve.
- Initial Operation: Before starting, ensure the high-pressure pump is filled with SAE90 gearbox oil. Open the seacock and seawater shut-off valve, open the pressure control valve fully counter-clockwise, set the flush/service valve to "CLOSED," and the diverter valve to "TEST." For initial startup and after filter changes, set the selector switch to "FEED" to purge air. In "AUTO" mode, press "START" until low pressure builds up. Slowly close the pressure control valve clockwise to increase operating pressure, not exceeding 800 PSI, until the specified fresh water output is achieved. Product water must be discarded for at least thirty minutes during initial operation or after storage due to preservative solution.
- System Shut Down: Switch the diverter valve to "TEST," open the pressure control valve fully counter-clockwise, switch the selector switch off, perform a fresh water flush, and close the seawater shut-off valve and seacock.
- Fresh Water Flush Procedure: This procedure prepares the watermaker for short-term storage (up to seven days). Open the pressure control valve fully counter-clockwise, close the shut-off valve on the pre-filter assembly, open the flush filter shut-off valve, and open the fresh water flush valve on the pre-filter assembly. Allow fresh water to flow for 1-2 minutes until all salt water is flushed out. Test the brine at the reject outlet for freshness. Open the seawater shut-off valve to backflush the pre-filter system, then close the fresh water flush valve, seawater shut-off valve, and seacock.
- Membrane Storage Procedure: For storage longer than ten days, the RO membranes must be flushed with a biocide solution to prevent microbiological growth, preserving them for up to ten months. First, fresh water flush the system. Mix 5 gallons / 20 liters of un-chlorinated fresh water with 200 grams (2/3 container) of Echo Tec. Preservative # 3 in a clean plastic container. Switch the three-way valve to "service," the diverter valve to "sample," and the shut-off valve to "off." Open the pressure control valve fully anti-clockwise. Infuse the storage solution using the service hose while running the high-pressure pump without applying pressure (press and hold "START" with the selector switch in "OFF"). Once infused, release the start button and remove pre-filter cartridges for dry storage. Discard product water for at least thirty minutes after storage before consumption.
- Safety: Do not operate with contaminated feed water (oil, chlorine, chemicals). Never allow leaks in hose or pipe connections. Reseal with Teflon tape or change O-rings as needed. The fresh water pressure for flushing should not exceed the low-pressure gauge range; a pressure reducer may be necessary.
Maintenance Features:
- Maintenance Timetable: This is an estimated schedule, adjustable based on usage regularity, intake water condition, seawater exposure, and total running time since last cleaning.
- Seawater intake strainer: Inspect and clean every 1000 hours or when clogged.
- Pre-filters: Replace or clean elements and housings when system intake pressure drops below 5psi.
- Charcoal flush filter: Replace element every 6 months.
- High pressure pump:
- Change crankcase oil: Initial change after 50 hours, then every 200 operating hours or 6 months.
- Change packings, seals, and O-rings: Every 2000 hours or when leaking.
- R.O. membrane:
- Clean with acid and/or alkaline cleaning compound when production decreases by 20%.
- Replace when cleaning does not increase production.
- Flow meter: Clean inside the clear tube whenever dirty. Disconnect product tubing, infuse muriatic acid, and rinse thoroughly.
- Membrane Cleaning Procedure: Membranes require chemical cleaning when product water output drops by 20%. Fouling naturally occurs during normal usage. Cleaning does not improve product water quality (TDS reading).
- Chemicals: Use cleaning chemical #1 (alkaline detergent) first. If performance doesn't improve, use cleaning chemical #2 (acid, mineral scale remover). Do not mix chemicals. Observe all safety precautions on labels.
- Process: Mix one container (330g) of cleaning chemical #1 with 5 gallons / 20 liters of water at 104°F / 40°C. Re-circulate the solution without pressure for up to 60 minutes (max 112°F / 45°C). Ensure the cleaning container does not run dry. Dump remaining fresh water from the last flush before re-circulation to ensure an undiluted cleaning solution.
- High Pressure Pump Repair Instruction (Series EP-12-34 / EP-14-34 / EP-17-34):
- Disassembly (Front End): Remove discharge and inlet valve plugs (32) and inspect/replace O-rings (33). Remove valve assemblies (32X) and separate valve seat (27) from spring retainer (30), inspecting O-ring (31) and all parts for wear. Remove socket head cap screws (34) and slide valve casing (26) off. Remove weep return ring (25), pressure ring (24), and V-sleeve with support ring (23) from valve casing, then V-sleeve (23) from seal case (20). Inspect O-ring (21) and all parts. Check plunger (16) surfaces for damage; replace if damaged. If ceramic plunger (16B) is damaged, remove plunger bolt (16C), discard old plunger and copper gasket (16D), clean old Locktite, and replace with new plunger, torquing to 120 inch-pounds. Ensure weep holes in weep return ring and valve casing are not plugged. If crankcase oil seals (19) need replacement, pry them loose carefully.
- Disassembly (Back End): Drain oil from crankcase (1) via oil drain (3A). Remove crankcase cover (3) and O-ring (4). Remove bearing cover (7) and sight glass (8). Use a rubber mallet to remove crankshaft (13) axially, avoiding damage to connecting rods. Remove remaining bearing and radial shaft seal (11), inspecting for wear. Remove connecting rod (15), plunger (16), and wrist pin (17) if necessary, checking plunger bore for wear. If servicing plunger assembly (16), remove tension screw (16D) and inspect parts.
- Reassembly: Reassemble plunger (16) and connecting rod (15) with wrist pin (17) into crankcase (1). Install crankshaft, avoiding damage. Replace left and right side bearings (12A, 12B) if removed, ensuring they are pressed fully onto the shaft and into the crankcase. Replace radial shaft seal (11), bearing cover with sight glass (7, 8), and crankcase cover with O-ring (3, 4). If oil seals (19) were removed, replace with seal lip towards crankcase and lubricate. Replace seal case (20) with O-ring (21) over plungers, lubricating generously. Replace V-sleeve (23) over plunger, lubricating generously. Assemble spacer and V-sleeve (23) into valve casing (26). Assemble weep return ring and pressure ring (25, 24) over plungers. Slide valve casing over plungers and seat firmly. Replace eight-socket head cap screws (34) and tighten to 105 inch-pounds in a crossing pattern. Replace six O-rings (31) and six-valve assemblies (32X). Replace six valve plugs with O-rings (32, 33) and tighten securely with a 22mm socket wrench to 33 foot-pounds. Fill crankcase with 7.5 ounces / 0.22 liters of non-toxic, non-detergent SAE 90 gearbox oil.
- Membrane Changing Procedure / Pressure Vessel End Plug Changing Procedure: Remove product port (if installed) and high-pressure fitting. Remove M6 bolts and locking plates. Remove backing plate. Pull end plug with a hand-tight inserted product port in one fast pull. If the O-ring (PL01) is stuck, tap it in, apply silicone lubricant, and pull again. Inspect end plug for cracks or damage to O-rings and grooves. Pull membrane out of pressure vessel or push it out (in flow direction) after removing both plugs. Insert new membrane, observing correct direction of lipped seal ring (lip against flow direction). Clean product port and end plug threads from Teflon sealant, apply new sealant, and reassemble all components, starting with the end plug. Do not overtighten the product port/s to avoid cracking the end plug.
Echo Marine Ltd. provides a twelve (12) month limited warranty from the date of shipment, covering repair or replacement of defective components at their option. The warranty does not cover consequential damages, misuse, neglect, accident, improper installation, or use in violation of instructions. It is void if the serial number is removed, defaced, or changed. The implied warranties are limited to the stated period. Normal recurring user maintenance items (pre-filter cartridges, pump seals, pump packings, pump valve assemblies, gauge instrument calibration, pump crankcase oil) are not covered. The membrane element is guaranteed to be cleanable for a minimum of one year, provided cleaning instructions are followed and foulant is acid-soluble metal hydroxides, calcium carbonates, or alkaline-soluble organic/inorganic substances and microbiological slimes. The membrane is not guaranteed against iron fouling, chemical attack, extreme temperatures (over 113°F/under 33°F), drying out, or extreme pressures (over 1000 psig). Use of parts not supplied directly by Echo Marine (generic parts) voids all warranties.
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