If the desalinator is not working properly, first consult the operating instructions. It is specifically tailored to the respective product and contains all the information required for correct operation. The following assistance enables the potential cause to be identified quickly and reliably.
This manual does not apply to the manual-only Survivor-06 and Survivor-35, both of which must be serviced by the manufacturer or a certified centre.
Problems during operation
A) The appliance (motor) no longer runs despite power supply
If the motor does not run even after being disconnected from the gearbox, the voltage may be incorrect or the motor may be damaged. In this case, the motor must be replaced. If the gear unit is still running with oil, this must also be replaced. Please ask at the available service centres for a service/replacement for the motor and grease-lubricated eccentric drive.
B) The appliance does not draw in water
- First check the connections and make sure that the connections between the body and the pre-filter are tight.
- If there is too much air in the system, fill the pre-filter completely with water and try again. (Air can also be drawn into the system, especially when the boat is moving up and down strongly).
- Disconnect the main supply between the PowerSurvivor and the pre-filter and draw water (as pure as possible) directly from a bucket into the PowerSurvivor. If water is now produced, the fault is upstream of the desalinator and air is probably being sucked in; if no water is produced, the cause is most likely the appliance itself.
C) The appliance is not producing fresh water
- If no water is drawn in either or if there is air in the system, go to B).
- Make sure that the cleaning valve (= pressure relief valve) is closed (lever at the bottom).
- If the appliance cannot build up sufficient pressure due to trapped air, the fresh water flow can dry up quickly. Open the cleaning valve for several minutes so that the appliance is filled with water and any air can escape easily. Then close it again and check again whether fresh water is being produced.
- It is most likely that there is a problem with the slide valve (seals are no longer seated correctly).
- If there is no problem with the slide valve, there is probably a problem with the cleaning valve.
D) The appliance makes knocking noises
This may be caused by the pressure relief valve, which switches off when a specified pressure is exceeded. Check the fresh water quality and, if necessary, the membrane for biofilm. If less or no salt water comes out of the waste water hose, the slide valve may be faulty. Also have a look at the piston rod sealing that may be worn, slipped or damaged.
Quality & quantity of fresh water
Can your appliance draw in water and produce drinking water, but not in the expected quantity or quality?
1) Preparation
The following instruments are useful for assessing the performance of the appliance:
- Measurement of salinity (In the range of ~ 100-2000 ppm using a conductivity meter / TDS meter [μS/cm : ppm ≈ 1 : 2]).
- Volume determination (litre meter for 1-2L).
- Time measurement (mobile phone / stopwatch etc.)
=> The salinity of the treated water allows comparable conclusions to be drawn about the efficiency (and thus also the condition) of the water treatment, the volume & the time used about the flow rate.
2) Parameter determination
To assess the parameters, the device should be left running for at least 20-30 minutes, as the values are still elevated at the beginning and would be falsifying for the assessment. It is helpful to read out and document these values regularly in order to be able to draw better conclusions about possible causes or changes to the appliance.
3) Assessment
The first point of contact for troubleshooting can be found in the manual (latest digital versions available in the webshop). The flowchart in the manual shows step-by-step instructions in the exclusion procedure as well as the spare parts that are used depending on the symptoms of the appliance. You can compare the measured parameters with the values in your manual and check for deviations from the target status.
4) Remote diagnostics support
Experience has shown that remote diagnosis is very difficult, as various symptoms can have different causes. Our support team will be happy to help you if possible. However, if the cause cannot be detected within a reasonable time, our support team will ask you to send the device in for diagnosis and servicing.
5) Manufacturer diagnosis (service)
If the cause cannot be determined independently using the flow chart and available spare parts and the problem cannot be rectified, it is necessary to send the device to a service centre or the manufacturer via a dealer or directly in order to carry out a full service. The service centre or manufacturer will then check all the important parameters on the appliance and, where necessary, dismantle it into its individual parts. The appliance is then repaired. After repair, all parameters are checked and documented again before the appliance is returned to the customer.