Timers for water makers, water heaters, etc.

[John Holbrook]

Hi Pelagic,

Re hotwater I'm thinking there is no point keeping the water hot all night when I only need it in the morning.

Re the watermaker on my last two boats they were simply on or off, no problem.

The AC is for the still nights in tropics. Often no wind, some bugs or rain. Happy wife, happy life😀

Cheers

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Hi John
You may be over thinking this a bit.

A normal water heater has a thermostat so should shut itself off when it reaches set temp....does yours?

Not good to stop/start R/O (water maker) at full pressure as this is hard on the high pressure pump and possible hydraulicking could damage the HP connections.....

I would just top up tanks after dinner and shut off properly by reducing pressure and allow membranes to "flutter" before shut off.

Enjoy your AC and let the sweaty sanctimonious unwashed campers stew in their own choices...[emoji3]

[Pelagic]

My Hot water tank is a marine version of a home tank, well insulated and installed in engine room, so very little heat loss in the tropics.

Not sure of your setup?

I remember reading years ago that it was recommended for membrane longevity/efficiency to let them flutter to release impregnated brine after every used....so I have done that for years, letting it cycle down and flutter for 2 minutes.

Could be this is no longer necessary.... would be curious to know from some of our R/O experts like Rich.

Last thing to consider is keeping a load on your generator?

[Dulcesuenos]

We use a battery operated sprinkler system timer it is on the flush hose from our house pressure fresh water. Is idiot proof in setting a flush cycle we flush for 4 minutes every 5 days. The batteries have been going strong for over a year and total cost is under $50.00 on the Spectras it helps if the pressure valve is cracked open.

[John Holbrook]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Last thing to consider is keeping a load on your generator?

Actually this is a key part of the role of the timers. Start genset and aircon at 10pm and aircon works hard to bring the boat temp down from 10pm to midnight and then the load is less. Turn on the battery charger at 11pm before I go to bed and the battery charger puts a load on the genset from say 11pm to 2am. If timers can run the watermaker from say 3am to 5am and then the hotwater from 6am to 7am the genset has a more even load.

[Shala]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

My Hot water tank is a marine version of a home tank, well insulated and installed in engine room, so very little heat loss in the tropics.

Not sure of your setup?

I remember reading years ago that it was recommended for membrane longevity/efficiency to let them flutter to release impregnated brine after every used....so I have done that for years, letting it cycle down and flutter for 2 minutes.

Could be this is no longer necessary.... would be curious to know from some of our R/O experts like Rich.

Last thing to consider is keeping a load on your generator?

sorry guys i know this is off topic but could someone explain exactly what is meant by letting the watermaker flutter

[Pelagic]

I have read that on a high pressure system, the membrane constricts when the pressure of 60-80 psi is applied.

When you turn down the pressure to 0 psi, it allows the membrane to relax and self clean away some of the brine contaminates.

Where I read that, they described it as "flutter"

[Lepke]

One issue is a light load on a generator running all night.

If you're handy electrically, a relay and timer could be added to each appliance. The watermaker could have a solenoid valve added to release the pressure when shut down. All kinds of timers, relays and valves can be found in 12 volts on up. Ebay is a good place to start.

[Shala]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I have read that on a high pressure system, the membrane constricts when the pressure of 60-80 psi is applied.

When you turn down the pressure to 0 psi, it allows the membrane to relax and self clean away some of the brine contaminates.

Where I read that, they described it as "flutter"

thanks pelagic

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by John Holbrook

Re hotwater I'm thinking there is no point keeping the water hot all night when I only need it in the morning.

John,

My water heater gets hot water in 15-20 minutes. Can you consider doing something else for the first 20 minutes of your day?