Water maker pump options

[PhilC]

The AC motor that drives the piston pump on my seafresh 206a (100L/hr)just died. Shorted start winding. Blown start cap. Looking at options to generate the pressure. Direct replacement of AC motor is one, but would like to consider DC motor, Clark or Pearson pump. Engine driven difficult due to engine pulley limitations. Anyone repowered or re pumped their water maker recently and like to share?

[Tin Tin]

12V DC motor on a pulley with belt could work but will draw quite a few amps so will need thick cables and a robust house bank and/or generator. The DC brushes may need re-newing every couple of years.

[Lepke]

Pressure washer pumps and motors work. Some people building their own watermaker buy a ac pressure washer and toss everything but the pump and motor.


I had a engine driven pump, but didn't like it. It's like running a generator engine under light loads and glazes the cylinders. I use a large pressure washer pump and motor.

[PhilC]

Particularity keen to know if anyone has purchased an ‘energy recovery’ pump and used in a water maker. Some seem to be available commercially eg danfoss but they all seem larger than required.