Which Watermaker To Choose

[CaptLinda6pack]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

I know....I mentioned earlier how more information was needed to decided on which water maker to get, not just the budget but individual water consumption, which can only be figured by crusising for a while to figure out how much you need (unless you have deep pockets and are willing to get the "latest & greatest").
Personally I want to get a water maker that has a manual over ride. This thread has made me realize a few things firstly unless you want to back flush you have to use your watermaker fairly often, secondly unless you have a high output watermaker you should not rely on the watermaker for all your water usage (between the two a watermaker should be used to top off the tanks), thirdly knowing your water consumption and having adequate tankage in case of watermaker failure is important, fourth having a water maker that is easily serviced by the boat owner in any place in the world (some make service kits to take along) and fifth the water maker shoulf fit the individuals needs.

Good thought there!! I want to make water to do three things only! 1. Water to flush engine every time I run it. (5 gal per day)
2. Water for showers and dishes and brush teeth wash hands. (8 gal. per day
3. Water for hose off deck, cloths..etc (6 gal. per day)

Total usage per day approx: 20 gal per day Max.

Any idea's as to what to get?? Linda

[Somewhere 54]

Fantastic thread. I have a 9kw gen set and 260 gal tankage. I have decided on CruiseRO 40. We will be in the caribbean for two years and want to rinse the boat at least every two days.

[sailorboy1]

I came across another cheap supplier (they definitely aren't web designers and are low on component details compared to Cruse RO).

DIY Watermakers | Home

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

I came across another cheap supplier (they definitely aren't web designers and are low on component details compared to Cruse RO).

DIY Watermakers | Home

Definitely light on information.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Shamancat

Hi we plumbed the water maker output into a 50 l header tank that then overflows into one of two 200 l hull tanks. We have a separate pump and tap for drinking water from the header tank that way we can fill the hull tanks at a marina and not worry too much about the quality.

That is an interesting idea. Is your FW Header tank higher than the 2 storage tanks?

On my old R/O I just extended the test line thru the ER Dorade vent, keeping it coiled there until use, where it would start up going overboard, then fill a big laundry bucket before going in to tanks

[Shamancat]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

That is an interesting idea. Is your FW Header tank higher than the 2 storage tanks?

Yes about 1.5m higher. It's a fairly long run to the hull tank on the opposite side. I can select which tank to fill and also have a crossover draw pipe if one side goes empty.

[CaptLinda6pack]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

I came across another cheap supplier (they definitely aren't web designers and are low on component details compared to Cruse RO).

DIY Watermakers | Home

Don Thanks for the input here! Yes your right "Definitely aren't web designers and are low on component details" But, Its interesting if I could read their TXT..LOL

Linda

[Matt Johnson]

You can tell that they are purposely being vague on the product due to fear that their customer will replicate it without purchase. If someone wanted to make their own, they have a ton of resources online without needing to copy their parts catalog. I think it's an unfounded fear.

I just watched an old Village Marine watermaker sell on ebay for $175. The unit came with a Cat 237 pump, ac motor, Procon feed pump, and all pumbing parts needed. The membrane housing was junk along with the high pressure lines, but would have been pretty easy to make a very nice A/C system out of these used parts for under $1000 total with a rebuilt pump, vessel, membrane and hoses.

If you're on a budget, have A/C, making your own seems to be the best process.

[wolfenzee]

Quality Water Works, Inc.
This companies web page gives alot of info, it's water makers are modular, with a wide range of sizes and options with a decent price. Intentionally being user serviceable and easy to obtain parts...owner of the company is actually a sailor. Because everything is so modular it allows for customization (which the company will work with you on). They have relatively inexpensive, simple upgrades (on the 12v version)to a larger output, it would be interesting to see if it could be done at a later time if you decided you wanted a higher output

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

Quality Water Works, Inc.
This companies web page gives alot of info, it's water makers are modular, with a wide range of sizes and options with a decent price. Intentionally being user serviceable and easy to obtain parts...owner of the company is actually a sailor. Because everything is so modular it allows for customization (which the company will work with you on). They have relatively inexpensive, simple upgrades (on the 12v version)to a larger output, it would be interesting to see if it could be done at a later time if you decided you wanted a higher output

Yeah, but did you see how much power they were using for the DC system? 45 amp at 8gph... ouch. With that kind of power use, you should just go AC and buy a Honda gen. I use about 10 amps with a 9 GPH return, but would go AC if I didn't have an energy recovery unit.

wolfenzee, why are you even looking at pre-made units? You keep saying how your a budget cruiser and think it's crazy to spend the money on a high output water maker, and insulting anyone that does. If you truly want to do this on the cheap, make a system yourself.

[wolfenzee]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Yeah, but did you see how much power they were using for the DC system? 45 amp at 8gph... ouch. With that kind of power use, you should just go AC and buy a Honda gen. I use about 10 amps with a 9 GPH return, but would go AC if I didn't have an energy recovery unit.

wolfenzee, why are you even looking at pre-made units? You keep saying how your a budget cruiser and think it's crazy to spend the money on a high output water maker, and insulting anyone that does. If you truly want to do this on the cheap, make a system yourself.

In response to my e-mails inquiring about expandability and power usage of the pumps the owner of the company called me. The 4,6 & 8gph 12v units all use the same pump, to upgrade you just have to change the cam and put in a larger membrane (which incidentally costs 1/3 what Katadyn charges and is more readily available0. The pump draws more power than Katadyn or Spectra, because they are heavier duty pumps. The only system failures of his water makers was from "operator error". Do it your self is great but you can only go so far, like finding a source of the parts, not just the part but the right part (above is an example that not all pumps are created equal and in a complex system like a watermaker, getting one part wrong can screw everything up). The aforementioned company has worked all that out.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

The pump draws more power than Katadyn or Spectra, because they are heavier duty pumps. .

It draws a lot more power because is does not use an energy recovery system.
The high pressure Clarke pump that Spectra uses recycles some of the pressure that would otherwise be lost.
The way the HP pump operates is very different, hence the lower consumption.

Watermakers consume a lot of power and if you want to live away from the dock (which is major reason to get a watermaker) one of the most important considerations is how it will be powered.

If you want to make water predominaty from solar/wind it has to be an energy recovery watermaker. If you are happy to run a generator or your main engine then energy recovery is much less important. A large, non energy recovery watermaker, is often the best choice.

Many people make the mistake of picking the watermaker without considering how they will generate the power to make the water.

[NorthPacific]

I have a small boat, small budget, and bought a small second hand watermaker. But I am heading off in 5 months:-)

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

In response to my e-mails inquiring about expandability and power usage of the pumps the owner of the company called me. The 4,6 & 8gph 12v units all use the same pump, to upgrade you just have to change the cam and put in a larger membrane (which incidentally costs 1/3 what Katadyn charges and is more readily available0. The pump draws more power than Katadyn or Spectra, because they are heavier duty pumps. The only system failures of his water makers was from "operator error". Do it your self is great but you can only go so far, like finding a source of the parts, not just the part but the right part (above is an example that not all pumps are created equal and in a complex system like a watermaker, getting one part wrong can screw everything up). The aforementioned company has worked all that out.

Weren't you the one complaining about the watermaker salesman's pitch?

[goboatingnow]

The Wanner pump they use is nice, no pulsation, commonly available from industrial suppliers, not cheap though.

The energy isnt lost in the high pressure pumo, its lost at the needle valve/back pressure valve, its dissipated as heat and lost in the water.

There really is a need for a line of relatively low cost pelton turbines or something to spur the small watermaker market on. Spectra's patent position is holding things back, mind you only for a period of time.

Dave