240 vs 12 volt Watermaker

[Pete7]

Thanks Gord, I will go back and add it to Johns posts, otherwise its difficult to read if you don't know every abbreviation.

[Pizzazz]

As mentioned there are two main options, genset with AC watermaker or a DC/Spectra. The efficiency of the AC watermaker is typically lower but no one cares if you have the genset. The efficiency of the DC watermaker is typically 3-4Ahrs per gallon while a Spectra goes down to 1.1AHrs gallon. However note that if you want a high volume Spectra it will cost a lot of money.

A third alternative that I am currently developing is a low volume (3 gph) quiet watermaker that will be always on, like a noisy fridge so that you will not have to think about turning a water maker on or off.

[HBrew]

We have a Dassalator 12V 100l/hr model. Uses about 60amps. If we have plenty of sunshine my solar can power this and have amps to spare for charging, if not then I make water when an engine is running - we don't have a genset. If you have a genset then an AC unit makes sense but I like making water without burning fuel.

The scenario that makes no sense to me is running an AC unit off the inverter - very inefficient

[RickG]

We run a manual AC water maker on a Honda eu2000i producing 37 gal./100 liters per hour. We are quite happy running the watermaker every two weeks. We liveaboard and use 50 gal./190 liters per week and have 154 gal./582 liters of tankage on our 43' monohull. Easy access to your pre-filter is key.

Definitely look at the Cruise RO units.

Cheers, RickG

[Seriously Slow]

We have about 840 W of solar, 600 AH of lifeline AGM batteries, and a Spectra that is rated for 8 gal / hr that really puts out 7 1/4. Works great and provides us with all the water we need. We are usually about fully charged at noon while running the spectra.
We run it all day aprox. every 2-5 days. We could go for more than a week before rationing water.
In hindsight I would rather have paid less for a 120v. unit that puts out 30 -40 gal / hr or more while powering it with my inverter. I would run it a lot less and I would still never be using my generator to make water. My solar and batteries could handle it.
Bill

[grahamb]

.….I have a HRO 'Seafari Mini' available.....240v......all the specs are on the HRO site...at Gold Coast....Australia....$2200...….pm if interested...……

[Quadrille in JB]

Originally Posted by cjbouldin

We utilize a 9kw genset to run the water maker. I bought an off the shelf system. SeaWater Pro. We produce about 37 gal/hr while also charging batteries etc. I installed it myself as it is designed to be owner installed using off the shelf parts. Mike, the company owner is great with support.
Water makers aren’t rocket science and it wasn’t that complicated to install.
Best of luck!

+1
We have used a "LOW COST" SeaWater Pro on our boat for over a year with great results. After the sun has charged our battery bank to 100%, usually by around noon, we run our 20 gph/120vac watermaker for 30-40 minutes per day. It uses about 9 amps at 120 vac or 90 amps at 12vdc from our 2000W inverter. On our last 30 day Bahamas cruise the only time we needed to use Dino Juice to make water was after several cloudy days when the battery bank didn't get up to 100%. We have 720 W of solar with an 800 ah battery bank.
Mike, the company's owner has been great to work with, and he's always available for help and advice. I've seen a lot of negative comments about this product on this forum but I think they're the result of his product being so much more affordable than all others. SeaWater Pro has numerous pumps and setups available to fit your needs and pocketbook. The basic system sells for about $1,600 USD and is designed for the DIY installer with simple instructions and everything needed for the installation is included.
Bill in JB
https://seawaterpro.com/

[CarlF]

I think a Soectra is generally a better choice for a sailboat if it has a fairly large house bank (600ah+) - even if it has a Genset. We run our genset maybe twice a week but make water almost every day.

Who wants to listen to a genset more than they have to?

The sound of our Spectra isn’t noticeable in the cockpit when sailing.

The Spectra draws 30 amps (12v). Three hours (90 AH) makes about 50 gallons. We have an 800AH house bank so it easily handles the load.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by CarlF

I think a Soectra is generally a better choice for a sailboat if it has a fairly large house bank (600ah+) - even if it has a Genset. We run our genset maybe twice a week but make water almost every day.

Who wants to listen to a genset more than they have to?

The sound of our Spectra isn’t noticeable in the cockpit when sailing.

The Spectra draws 30 amps (12v). Three hours (90 AH) makes about 50 gallons. We have an 800AH house bank so it easily handles the load.

Which model Spectra do you have?