$1,500 watermaker

[smj]

Does anyone have any experience with these watermakers? 21gph and will run of a Honda 2000
https://seawaterpro.com/

[sailorboy1]

I don't have a watermaker, but have read all the various boat wm sites I could find the past 10 years and I have experience in industrial RO systems. This one is by far the least expensive I've ever seen and it gives the reason pretty straight. It's the high pressure pump, which I find is the cost driver in pretty much all these "home grown" type of systems. So if you are handy and don't mind the risk of having to replace the HP pump I think they make sense.

I'm sure the normal players will be along soon to give the "ain't so" spin.

[Kenomac]

This statement from the company website explains some of the cost savings:

"1. I own a machine shop where I manufacture as many parts as it makes financial sense, the rest I import from China bypassing the middle man."

[steffan]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

It's the high pressure pump, which I find is the cost driver in pretty much all these "home grown" type of systems. So if you are handy and don't mind the risk of having to replace the HP pump I think they make sense.

Cheap enough to have a spare HP pump or two along from day one and still be ahead of the game on cost. Anyone cost-conscious enough to consider this system wouldn't have gotten this far in life without being able to switch out a pump, surely.

[smj]

Originally Posted by steffan

Cheap enough to have a spare HP pump or two along from day one and still be ahead of the game on cost. Anyone cost-conscious enough to consider this system wouldn't have gotten this far in life without being able to switch out a pump, surely.

My thoughts exactly. And when installing the system make the HP pump easily accessible!

[ErikFinn]

We already have a cruiser here on the forum who made his own wm using a cheap Kärcher high pressure washer.

The only expensive parts in a "marine" wm system normally are the high pressure pump, membrane(s), and pressure vessel(s). The shop above is using a pressure washer pump also. I think the price should be lower, below 1000 bucks easy.

[Pete7]

The diagram which shows what is included says the high pressure pump is a pressure washer. So how long will that withstand salt water rather than the domestic tap water it was designed for?

Wonder how noisy it is?

Pete

[ErikFinn]

not long. The Kärcher guy always had a spare washer aboard. about 70-80usd each I recall.

[Kenomac]

Most of the people interested in this watermaker would more likely be less concerned with noise, and attracted primarily by price. 'Just a hunch. That Honda generator will also make some noise.

BTW, how much does the Honda generator cost and how much is the extra pump you'll need? I'd assume this needs to be added to the "cost to aquire." Then how does the cost savings compare to the more proven units available with this factored in? Remembering that a unit like a Spectra doesn't require a generator and can be run off solar.

[dwedeking2]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

how much is the extra pump you'll need? I'd assume this needs to be added to the "cost to aquire."

The site says he buys the pumps on Amazon for about $100 ea. You can buy a lot of pumps for the price difference.

This can run off 12v with an inverter.

[1affiah]

You install it with a Y valve in the seawater inlet and a few feet of hose. After filling your tanks with freshwater, you fill a 5 gallon bucket & flush the system with freshwater at no pressure.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Most of the people interested in this watermaker would more likely be less concerned with noise, and attracted primarily by price. 'Just a hunch. That Honda generator will also make some noise.

BTW, how much does the Honda generator cost and how much is the extra pump you'll need? I'd assume this needs to be added to the "cost to aquire." Then how does the cost savings compare to the more proven units available with this factored in? Remembering that a unit like a Spectra doesn't require a generator and can be run off solar.

VAT paid about a £1000 to you. Actually the honda isn't that noisy compared to the cheap ones and positively silent next to our pressure washer which I wouldn't want to run in a nice quiet anchorage for several hours a day.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by 1affiah

You install it with a Y valve in the seawater inlet and a few feet of hose. After filling your tanks with freshwater, you fill a 5 gallon bucket & flush the system with freshwater at no pressure.

Still got saltwater going through it. Still they do sell a better quality pump for another £1200, but a total of $2500 buys a lot of water.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Most of the people interested in this watermaker would more likely be less concerned with noise, and attracted primarily by price. 'Just a hunch. That Honda generator will also make some noise.

BTW, how much does the Honda generator cost and how much is the extra pump you'll need? I'd assume this needs to be added to the "cost to aquire." Then how does the cost savings compare to the more proven units available with this factored in? Remembering that a unit like a Spectra doesn't require a generator and can be run off solar.

Either way you have to own or purchase either solar or a Honda. The Honda 2000 runs about $1,000 and the pumps $87.

[toodleoo]

Performing a fresh water flush on the HP after each use will lengthen the life of the HP pump considerably.