Perko 0594 Duplex Intake Water Strainer, Cast Bronze, 4-Position Control Valve

Overview

The Perko 0594 is a duplex intake water strainer for raw-water engine cooling systems where continued operation during basket cleaning matters. It uses two strainer chambers with an integral 4-position control valve, so either side can be isolated for service while the other side keeps cooling water moving to the engine when the strainer is properly sized.

The body is cast bronze, with cast bronze covers, eight outside tie rods, and two 316 stainless steel strainer baskets. The basket screen holes measure 0.079 inches and the baskets have 47 percent open area, giving the strainer strong flow capacity without turning routine debris checks into a difficult job.

This strainer is built for engine rooms and machinery spaces where saltwater exposure, vibration, sediment, and access for maintenance all matter. Drain plugs in the bottom castings help remove sediment and make winterizing cleaner.

Key features

• Duplex layout allows one side of the strainer to be cleaned while the other side remains in service for engine cooling.
• Integral 4-position control valve supports All Off, Side 1 On, Side 2 On, and Both On operation.
• Cast bronze construction suits below-deck raw-water intake plumbing in marine engine rooms.
• Two 316 stainless steel strainer baskets help reduce galvanic issues inside the bronze housings.
• 0.079 inch basket screen holes with 47 percent open area help maintain cooling-water flow while catching intake debris.
• Mounting lugs are cast into both sides, giving more flexibility when positioning the strainer on a flat vertical surface.
• Cast bronze cover lugs make basket access straightforward for inspection and cleaning.
• Bottom drain plugs help with sediment removal and draining the strainer during winter layup.

Variants

This Perko duplex intake water strainer is offered in three pipe-size configurations. The main difference across the range is the intake pipe size, with related changes to overall height, basket dimensions, open-area ratio, and carton weight.

All three variants share the same 16 inch overall width and 8-1/2 inch overall depth. The correct selection depends on the vessel’s raw-water plumbing size and the cooling-water demand of the engine or equipment being protected.

• 0594008PLB: 1-1/2 inch pipe size, 12 inch overall height, 6 x 8 inch cylinder, 3-5/16 x 8-7/16 inch basket, 17:1 open-area ratio, and 61 lb carton weight. This size fits installations using 1-1/2 inch raw-water intake plumbing.
• 0594009PLB: 2 inch pipe size, 16 inch overall height, 6 x 12 inch cylinder, 3-5/16 x 12-1/4 inch basket, 13:1 open-area ratio, and 63 lb carton weight. This configuration matches systems with 2 inch intake plumbing and a taller basket assembly.
• 0594010PLB: 2-1/2 inch pipe size, 16 inch overall height, 6 x 12 inch cylinder, 3-5/16 x 12-1/4 inch basket, 10:1 open-area ratio, and 63 lb carton weight. This version is for larger 2-1/2 inch raw-water intake lines.

Installation and fit

The strainer belongs on the intake side of the water-cooling system. It should be mounted vertically on a flat vertical surface, with enough clearance above the unit to remove both baskets for cleaning.

The inlet and outlet markings are located on the underside of the top casting, which helps confirm flow direction before the plumbing is finalized. Because the mounting lugs are present on both sides, the installer has more freedom when working around stringers, bulkheads, seacocks, hoses, and other engine-room equipment.

Use on board

This duplex strainer is a practical match for vessels where shutting down an engine to clean a raw-water basket is not acceptable, such as larger cruising boats, workboats, offshore fishing boats, and other installations that put heavy hours on the cooling-water system.

Regular inspection is still important. Keeping the baskets clear helps protect downstream pumps, heat exchangers, and cooling passages from weeds, shells, and other debris pulled in through the intake.