Fresh water makers best price and performance?

[nolakennedys]

Would like to know where to start looking system wise. Looked at the Katydyn and like it a lot but just not the price tag. Is 5K the norm for RO water makers that can be run by solar alone? Thanks!

[newhaul]

No they are not the only ones look at spectra spectrawatermakers.com - Spectra Watermakers manufacturers reverse osmosis watermakers which make water in an energy efficient, quiet and ultra-reliable manner.

[hpeer]

Still close to 5k

There is a fellow here who sells units for about 4k on the low end.

SV Third Day


Yacht & Boat Water Maker by Cruise RO Water & Power

[medicrene]

Rich Boren is the man who sells the RO watermaker. I tried a different manufacturer (water log) and wasted 2000 dollars without a drop of water. Now, I have a system that makes 20 gallons an hour. It's an awesome system.

Rene "The Witchdoctor" Steinhauer

[colemj]

So far, your answers have been wide of the mark on your criteria.

You asked: "Is 5K the norm for RO water makers that can be run by solar alone?"

Spectra - 5K+

Cruise RO - can't be run on solar alone

Any commercial system <<5K that can be run on reasonable solar alone will not be worth your money.

The answer to your question is essentially no.

Mark

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by newhaul

No they are not the only ones look at spectra spectrawatermakers.com - Spectra Watermakers manufacturers reverse osmosis watermakers which make water in an energy efficient, quiet and ultra-reliable manner.

What is the cost of the smallest manual spectra system??

[newhaul]

If you are wanting manual operation then you are looking at the katadyne pur survivor 35 they are available on eBay new old stock for under $300 USD
Here is one listing but not the only one
1 Katadyne PUR 35 Reverse Osmosis Desalinator Emergency Water Maker | eBay

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by newhaul

If you are wanting manual operation then you are looking at the katadyne pur survivor 35 they are available on eBay new old stock for under $300 USD
Here is one listing but not the only one
1 Katadyne PUR 35 Reverse Osmosis Desalinator Emergency Water Maker | eBay

Manual not as in hand operated but no computer, just manual settings

[newhaul]

Talk to rich from cruise ro systems as suggested Yacht & Boat Water Maker by Cruise RO Water & Power
His refigeration systems are really good also he may have a couple ideas.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Manual not as in hand operated but no computer, just manual settings

Sorry misunderstood your use of manual

[Kenomac]

Our Sectra produces 17 gph on less than 8amps. If you want efficiency, you'll need to pay a little more than 5k. Or look for a used Spectra. One of our manual Spectra units came with the boat, we rebuilt it last season. Our second Spectra unit was purchesed used for just under $2000 and needed new pumps and a rebuild. Total cost for that unit after rebuild was $4000. There you have it, $4000 for essentially a new unit that can make 17 gph.

[Dustymc]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

What is the cost of the smallest manual spectra system??

I paid about $6K for their second-smallest manual model at a boat show. It's awesome, and my little ~300W solar array has no problem keeping up with it. You occasionally see one on E-Bay a bit cheaper, if you're a gambler....

[newhaul]

Katadyn PUR Watermaker Survivor 35 Desalinator 12 Volt Factory Reman | eBay
6 to 11 GPH Water Maker Desalinator | eBay
Katadyn PUR Watermaker Survivor 40E Desalinator 12 Volt New | eBay
All in the sub 5k

[colemj]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Katadyn PUR Watermaker Survivor 35 Desalinator 12 Volt Factory Reman | eBay
6 to 11 GPH Water Maker Desalinator | eBay
Katadyn PUR Watermaker Survivor 40E Desalinator 12 Volt New | eBay
All in the sub 5k

Those Katadyn models are anemic and hardly worth the money for that output.

The ebay model uses a 1/2hp DC motor. That thing will draw ~40A running, which makes it difficult to use with solar while still permitting battery charging.

Therein lies the whole watermaker nut - you either pay $$ for something like a Spectra that can be run easily off solar while still charging batteries, or you go less expensive and give up the solar thing and use a generator or engine.

Or you declare yourself content to making only survival amounts of water at a time, or you set up a very large solar array.

Mark

[newhaul]

Mark I just was giving him some options that met his criteria for being able to run on 12 volt and under 5k in price also people think that 35 gpd is just survival. The fact is we have a power survivor 35E and it is plenty for me and dad. (It came with the boat). I don't want to start the whole debate on. Water maker sizes. Those do meet his criteria the biggest thing the op didn't say was what his daily water usage would be. When underway we average well under 5 gal per day. So the 35 is great however if I was outfitting from scratch I would go for a lil more money and get a small spectra.