Cleaning sightglass of raw water filter

[bostonhatteras]

Got to get a load of barnacles off of the inside of two groco arg sight glasses. I'm afraid of scratching them up or crazing the polycarbonate(?) with too strong a chemical. anyone got a method for this? Thanks

[bostonhatteras]

Called Groco directly and they recommend 'barnacle buster' by trac. Says they use it all the time at the factory and is completely effective and harmless to the sightglass. I think if it works this well it might be a substitute for the muriatic acid flush on the air conditioning raw water side and perhaps even the heat exchangers on mains and gensets.

[Walter P]

I've used Barnacle Buster by Trac for many years and I can attest to it's performance. Works great on of AC and site glasses of raw water strainers.... Never tried it on heat exchangers but it will probably work fine. It's a good bit safer than acid which is a major consideration.

Walt

[rwappleton]

We had stuff other than barnacles blocking viewing ours and leaks to boot. We took them apart,cleaned with household stuff and polished in and out with plastic cleaner which had a fine abrasive and followed with polish. Time for both was 12 hours. They look almost new!

[bobk]

Barnacle Buster is nothing more than high priced diluted phosphoric acid. Always read the MSDS sheet to see what you are buying. From their web site:

Hazardous ingredients : Phosphoric Acid 85%
Approx. concentration. (%) : 5% -20%
#CAS – NA or UN : 7664 – 38-2
DL 50 (specific type and way) : 3,500 mg/kg FLAMMABILITY : <0>
Limit of exposition : none REACTIVITY : <0>
HEALTH : <1>
SECTION II- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Buy phosphoric acid from Home Depot and dilute it 5 or 6 to one with water. Be sure to add the acid to water, not the other way around. I like to add some oxalic acid to the mix. This is how you should be doing any acid cleaning in the ER, not with hydrochloric (muriatic) acid.

Bobk

[bostonhatteras]

Barnacle Buster is nothing more than high priced diluted phosphoric acid. Always read the MSDS sheet to see what you are buying. From their web site:

Hazardous ingredients : Phosphoric Acid 85%
Approx. concentration. (%) : 5% -20%
#CAS – NA or UN : 7664 – 38-2
DL 50 (specific type and way) : 3,500 mg/kg FLAMMABILITY : <0>
Limit of exposition : none REACTIVITY : <0>
HEALTH : <1>
SECTION II- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Buy phosphoric acid from Home Depot and dilute it 5 or 6 to one with water. Be sure to add the acid to water, not the other way around. I like to add some oxalic acid to the mix. This is how you should be doing any acid cleaning in the ER, not with hydrochloric (muriatic) acid.

Bobk

I was going to research this so I'm glad you brought it up. I see the kleen strip prep and etch (@ home depot) appears to be less than 50% acid with the rest minor chemical additions and water. Naval jelly is only 30% phosphoric acid. reducing either of these at 5-6:1 would give a very weak mixture. Which product are you referring to when you say to purchase phosphoric acid? Thanks

[fissioneng]

I just got done flushing both engines and AC units using diluted Skyco OSPHO. I paid $25/gal for it. It is phosphoric acid too. Genesis posted instructions about how to do it in the FAQ section.

[bobk]

i was going to research this so i'm glad you brought it up. I see the kleen strip prep and etch (@ home depot) appears to be less than 50% acid with the rest minor chemical additions and water. Naval jelly is only 30% phosphoric acid. Reducing either of these at 5-6:1 would give a very weak mixture. Which product are you referring to when you say to purchase phosphoric acid? Thanks

ospho

[Tinman]

I learned of a non-acid product when in Stuart, Fl two years ago for cleaning a/c's, coolers, and heat exchangers. Label says Triton Marine cleaner/descaler, 100% acid free, caustic free,non- corrosive, safe on metals, removes calcium & sludge, 100% biodegradable. Does not list ingredients. I bought two 2gal. jugs and have used it on my a/c's, eskimo icemaker, steering cooler, and gear coolers. It works well and you can circulate it thru the system or leave it in place for a couple of days without any metal damage. I bought it from a marine tech who used it a lot on cleaning marine raw water systems of all types including heat exchanges without possible damage from acid products. Has worked well so far. Should do a good job on raw water sightglass too.

[bobk]

I learned of a non-acid product when in Stuart, Fl two years ago for cleaning a/c's, coolers, and heat exchangers. Label says Triton Marine cleaner/descaler, 100% acid free, caustic free,non- corrosive, safe on metals, removes calcium & sludge, 100% biodegradable. Does not list ingredients. I bought two 2gal. jugs and have used it on my a/c's, eskimo icemaker, steering cooler, and gear coolers. It works well and you can circulate it thru the system or leave it in place for a couple of days without any metal damage. I bought it from a marine tech who used it a lot on cleaning marine raw water systems of all types including heat exchanges without possible damage from acid products. Has worked well so far. Should do a good job on raw water sightglass too.

Interesting. The MSDS has no information. Does it bubble or froth as it works? Any odor?

Bobk