Need opinions on watermakers for a specific scenario please

[Nicholson58]

We also have the spectra 200 24 volts. My opinion is that you will struggle with your charging unless you have no refrigeration. We have 660 watts solar on MPPT that is yielding 100 to 120 AH @24 volts daily while in the windwards, Leewards. A cloudy day or two mandates use of our diesel generator for about 1-2 hours. We have no wind generator. We have also Frigoboat refrigerator and freezers @24 volts. I run the generator 2-6 hours per week. You basically can’t rely on the solar or wind as much as your ideals might insist. I can assure you that a flat line battery with limits on charging make for daily stress at best.

For charging we have the main engine alternator for use under way, diesel generator with auxiliary big alternator and Balmar controller. The generator powers the house 110-220 for the boat and the 3.5 KW charger-inverter. This means that the alternator and charger work together to pound the batteries at about 60 amps at 28 volts.

There are several folks we have met using electric OB or propane. Dinghy distances and fueling issues regarding thes options force the cruiser to opt out of many opportunities for diving, restaurants, hiking, and even food choices. Further, if you are out of propulsion, nobody can help except to tow. The standard dinghy, inflatable, is not an efficient shape to push with electric. Our friends who have successfully operated a Torquido also carry a 5 HP gas engine foe distances. Their dinghy is an OC Tender which is easy to push but expensive.

Buying propane for an OB is crazy expensive and not available everywhere.

[Paul L]

Tradrockrat,
Back to your original post, if you are planning long offshore and remote locations, I'd suggest you break your new 80 gal tank into two separate tanks. A failure of a watermaker membrane or a deck fill o-ring could contaminate the tank. Far better to have two separate ones and only loose one.

We have a Spectra Cape Horn. Really like the ability to use two pumps to get 15gph or use one pump on the days we have excess solar and get 7gph.
If it helps to justify the Spectra cost, you can always sell it for at least 50%+ of what you pay for it.

[pk999]

Re electric outboards - we have had a Torqeedo 1003 travel for the last 6+ years, and found it very good. Check them out. 4HP petrol equivalent. Expensive to purchase, but no petrol or two stroke oil thereafter, and very quiet. When used at low speed (fast rowing equivalent) it will easily last for 1km each way from anchorage to shore and back with 4 adults and shopping onboard, with >80% charge left on return to the boat. Battery has inbuilt GPS, & gives range & charge remaining on its display. Obviously not suitable for those who like dashing everywhere at top speed... Ours charges on 220v mains via its own external power supply lead, 12v or direct from its own (v. expensive) optional folding solar panels. Not sure about 110v. We just put a dedicated 12v charge connector onto the house battery bank with inline fuse. The battery has its own charge regulator, and shuts off when full. Transferring it to the tender does not require an engine crane, as the shaft, battery and tiller can be transferred separately, and assembles easily in <30 secs.

The only issue is getting the device to the boat. Large Li type cell batteries are dangerous goods, so can not be flown on ordinary passenger flights. We ended up having to send a DG specialised pallet by land freight to get ours, bought in the UK, to our boat in Spain. Should have bought locally...

[Shaneesprit]

A water expert friend pointed this one out to me, i still think it’s too big, I was looking for something a tenth of the size only to extend the time needed between refills, seems there is nothing between between a hand held survival gadget and something that does a gallon an hour
http://www.ecohydrosolutions.com/Products/Catalina300.html

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Shaneesprit

A water expert friend pointed this one out to me, i still think it’s too big, I was looking for something a tenth of the size only to extend the time needed between refills, seems there is nothing between between a hand held survival gadget and something that does a gallon an hour
EcoHydro Solutions Catalina-300 MK-II

Katadyn 40E produces about 1 1/2 gallons per hour. Consumes 4 amps.

On the other hand

Spectra Ventura produces 6 gallons per hour and consumes 9 amps.

1.5 amps per gallon vs almost 3 amps per gallon.

[Pegu Club]

On the battery question, you may want to look at Firefly batteries, they are a. carbon foam agm, we have been cruising three years now and they are what they are advertised to be. They can be run down to 20%, repeatedly, they charge quickly. And are referred to as being the poor mans lithium, all of our charging is done with two one hundred watt solar panels and or the 70 amp alternator on the diesel, etc etc, more information is in our blog if you care to have a look.
We do use a water maker but it is a Rainman petrol unit, works very well, if you go the petrol route, which you did say you don’t prefer, anyways hope you find what works well for you,

Fair winds,

[tradrockrat]

Hey all -

Just to wrap it up, I ordered the Spectra Cape Horn and we're going with Firefly Batteries. We ordered 4 of the G31 (464 AH) and we're looking at the possibility of 500+ watts of solar...but that's a whole different thread...

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by tradrockrat

Hey all -

Just to wrap it up, I ordered the Spectra Cape Horn and we're going with Firefly Batteries. We ordered 4 of the G31 (464 AH) and we're looking at the possibility of 500+ watts of solar...but that's a whole different thread...

Both very good choices.

[Dr.No]

I just received my Spectra Cape Horn 24 volt unit - and am totally impressed with the quality of the design and build. Great instructions, also. We will be welding in aluminum mounting brackets for the three components. Based on the wealth of information from this forum, in particular the build from SV Jedi, I felt (almost) qualified to build a lithium ion battery from individual cells. So, ordered eight Winston 3.2 volt 400 ah cells from Julia Yu to build my own lithium ion battery pack. I’ll use a Orion Jr BMS. Cheers!

[Sparx]

Originally Posted by tradrockrat

Hey all -

Just to wrap it up, I ordered the Spectra Cape Horn and we're going with Firefly Batteries. We ordered 4 of the G31 (464 AH) and we're looking at the possibility of 500+ watts of solar...but that's a whole different thread...

Excellent choices!

We have a new Cape Horn we are just starting to use and very happy with the equipment. It is certainly a game changer being able to refresh the water tanks at whim.

Our experience is similar to others in that with 600 watts of solar and 400 something Ah batteries, we need to supplement occasionally with the generator to top up the batteries. But we are very happy that water making does not require the generator to be running.