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**Tellie** · 17-10-2021, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by goeasy123

You don't need a hygrometer. Sea water is about 5gms per ltr of salt.

You're right, don't even bother with a hygrometer. But I would still be very insistent on a hydrometer. Guess work going in is guess work coming out.

Emouchet · 18-10-2021, 10:08

You can test with brackish water. Militaries are using WM to filter whatever water they found in the country. But, you need to keep the pressure on the membrane lower than what it is usually for salt water. The key is to measure the amount of water made per minute and not going over what the membrane is able to filter. Otherwise it will be damaged.

But the owner will probably not let you do that: the WM was most probably pickled. It needs to run for 1-2 hours before it delivers good clean fresh water to flush out all the pickling solution. Quite a long run for a few minutes testing. And then, you will need to do the pickling again otherwise it will really get damaged within a 1 to 2 weeks delay.

**Tellie** · 18-10-2021, 19:16

What then do we expect of a owner that has winterized his engine/s? Hey, they worked last time I used them. Buy my boat on my word, I'm an honest guy, really, I am.

Paul L · 19-10-2021, 01:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emouchet

You can test with brackish water. Militaries are using WM to filter whatever water they found in the country. But, you need to keep the pressure on the membrane lower than what it is usually for salt water. The key is to measure the amount of water made per minute and not going over what the membrane is able to filter. Otherwise it will be damaged.

But the owner will probably not let you do that: the WM was most probably pickled. It needs to run for 1-2 hours before it delivers good clean fresh water to flush out all the pickling solution. Quite a long run for a few minutes testing. And then, you will need to do the pickling again otherwise it will really get damaged within a 1 to 2 weeks delay.

They have oil separates on the saltwater intake.

Chotu · 19-10-2021, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

They have oil separates on the saltwater intake.

What sort of design are they using for this?

This would make it much easier to use in questionable places.

Paul L · 19-10-2021, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chotu

What sort of design are they using for this?

This would make it much easier to use in questionable places.

Just search 'watermaker oil separator'. There are large and small ones. Spectra sells one. You don't typically see them on cruising boats.

Nicholson58 · 22-10-2021, 06:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsalgado

Hi there,

I'm in the process of buying a sailboat which is in a river (Rio Dulce) and that's where the "sea" trial will take place, so I'm wondering how I could go about testing that the watermaker is actually able to desalinate water... Would it be possible to use a bucket of salty water to feed it? Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Yes, a Large bucket. Our WM has a procedure for creating a false sea for testing. Read the documents.

Stewie12 · 22-10-2021, 06:47

Buy a plastic dustbin for the water.

Bunnellr · 22-10-2021, 07:45

Are you sure the water is sanitary? Fertilizer and sewage runoff a problem?

dblk65 · 22-10-2021, 07:49

Just FYI...Saltwater is a delightful but full days motor from Fronteras...Then depending on your draft there could be a nervous transit of the bar...

IF you somehow convince the owner to do it,...you can have a lovely overnight in beautiful saltwater anchored off a palm fronded beach just 10 or so nautical miles from the river mouth...

Overkill sure...but what a memorable way to test a watermaker...AND throw in sea trial...

geozeck · 22-10-2021, 13:41

OP…..you are in buying the boat….YOU ARE IN CHARGE. If the broker wants the commission he’ll take the boat down past the sand bar. If you can’t make it down and back in a day then anchor at Texan Bay. Sounds like someone is hiding something. Be ready to walk.

R Hutcheson · 22-10-2021, 14:19

Find out what watermaker is installed, then look up the manual on the manufactures website. There should be a test procedure published in the installation manual.