12 volt watermakers, which one?

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Falbala60

What are the next weak links ?

Which is the problem....

As Capt Ron says: "If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there Boss"

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by newhaul

that 14 inch one would but they make larger up to 40 inches long.
https://www.wateranywhere.com/2-5-di...brane-housing/
the Dow 2.5 by 14 inch membrane is rated at 150 gpd so not to bad
A lot more than my 35 gpd unit.

Ah....DANGER....

That is a Fresh Water RO pressure vessel NOT a Sea Water vessel.
Totally different pressure ratings!

DO NOTE use those for a high pressure Sea water application.....

[a64pilot]

I don’t understand the gallon per day, does that mean in a 24 hour period?
So 35 GPD is about a gallon and a half per hour?

[john61ct]

Gallon per hour is IMO the main metric for comparison.

Who wants to run one more than a few hours at a time?

An hour every other day would be my goal.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I don’t understand the gallon per day, does that mean in a 24 hour period?
So 35 GPD is about a gallon and a half per hour?

that is correct my watermaker produces 1.4 gph ( approximate)
but it only cost me $ 250
And my tank is only 32 gallons and lasts me well over 2 weeks underway. so doesn't make sense to pay several thousand for a watermaker that will fill my tank in less than 2 hours .
I run it for about 4 hours in the afternoon when I'm making excess power. Every few days as needed.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I don’t understand the gallon per day, does that mean in a 24 hour period?
So 35 GPD is about a gallon and a half per hour?

The GPD rating has long been a scam in the water maker industry to make the output sound bigger than reality. No one runs a water maker 24hrs per day, so why would you rate a water maker on daily basis other than to make a 3.5GPH water maker sound better when you say 80GPD.....Marketing 101....

[a64pilot]

I understand Newhaul and in your position I would have done the same thing.
I understand it’s marketing, 99% of the time when you hear goofy stuff, it’s marketing. I just didn’t understand if a day was a normal 8 hour work day, or was it an actual 24 hour period.
GPD just seems to be a strange metric is all.

Auto marketing is in particular bizarre, Ford seems particularly smitten.
Ecoboost, with a green leaf logo, for a 6 cyl turbo to replace an NA 8.
One manufacturer has blue drive, another skyactive, silly names instead of calling it what it really is.

[djpowers]

I have the Spectra Venture 200T. Works off the solar panels and has been quiet and dependable. Produces about 30-35 liters/hr and uses about 10-12 amps. The modular design is easy to install and maintain.

Very happy with the unit.

[Tampabayfireman]

We purchased the spectra 200T a year ago and installed and started using it as of Nov 17. We live off grid, and run in nearly every day but at least every other day. Real world usage here. We take showers, we wash dishes and have used it for small laundry on occasion. There is a reason for buying a dependable unit. 10 mo of continuing use and would highly recommend it. We see 6.5+ gph at around 9 amps.

[Sailor-Gene]

We had a Manta 40' Sail Cat and a Manta 44' Power Cat we cruised for 14 years, Both with Spectra Water makers. The first one in 1998 required more maintenance but they got better for the second. I started out with one SurFlow pump and added a second for more RO water output. Then added their Vane pump for higher output.
In 2006 we moved to the PC with a vane pump. Very good service. Yes, carry spare parts if you are going on long cruises. (If not, why do you need a water maker??)

On both boats, we were envied by our buddies because we were because we were washing our boat at anchor. We also supplied them with water when needed.

Happy Cruising

[Bluewater664]

Or Spectra Catalina 300 has been working beautifully for us. It had been left pickled for approximately 10 years, something that I would not recommend. Despite that abuse, we were able to resurrect it. She has been working beautifully in the very salty and hot, Sea of Cortez for us on its original 12-year-old membrane. In the sea , the feed water is running almost 40K TDS and water temperature up to 92°F. Very quiet, 13 GPH @ 15-17 amps at 12 VDC, and very reliable. Would not even consider anything else. I expect the amperage draw to decrease as we head south into sea water that is not nearly as salty as the Sea of Cortez.

[Franziska]

Looks like all agree. Spectra is the nicest solution, if, one can afford it.
Surely would want one, but hey one needs to have the funds for it.
So here is the next question, what's the best solution for under 2000$?

[lizardofoz]

Originally Posted by briblack

Spectra, Village Marine, or ? What have cruisers had, as their real experiences with these. I'm on my second Spectra, now a 200T with MPC control and Z-ion.
Thanks!

Suggest it makes better sense to get either a petrol driven portable or a 230VAC or 115VAC Rainman portable that can make between 70 and 140LPH depending on the membrane package. They can be kept as portable or installed. They are what I would call smart simple as it takes a lot of smarts to have a simple easy to maintain system especially without and specialised have to buy from the manufacturer only parts. Also without the really not needed bells and whistles. The 230 and 115VAC ( US voltage) run on a simple 2.0I Honda generator or higher. The petrol one actually runs on a 1.0 Honda as its direct belt drive. Price is below the others as well. Rainman Desalination. Recommended prices are even per country on the website. 12VDC does suck power from the batteries. With the Rainman 230VAC/115VAC and the Honda 2.0I generator you can use the gen for other purposes like linking it to a Victron Energy 120Amp charge / 3000W inverter. So dual purpose.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Looks like all agree. Spectra is the nicest solution, if, one can afford it.
Surely would want one, but hey one needs to have the funds for it.
So here is the next question, what's the best solution for under 2000$?

A used unit off a boat that is no longer cruising or upgrading. I just sold a used Village Marine for $1500.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Looks like all agree. Spectra is the nicest solution, if, one can afford it.
Surely would want one, but hey one needs to have the funds for it.
So here is the next question, what's the best solution for under 2000$?

eBay is your friend