Fresh water makers best price and performance?

[wiekeith]

Originally Posted by monte

How do you find this unit works. Have you checked the output and power consumption? I briefly looked at those but was put off by some problems the company were having at the time with delivery. They look like a good simple unit on paper.

Monte,
I've now done some calibrated tests, it actually produces about 36lt/hr with water at 19.5 degrees and with shore-power keeping the batteries at 13V+, and I checked this a few times as it seemed too high to me - it was producing 300ml in 30 secs. However, it takes 20A at 12.6V (not 10A at 12V as I put in my original post). There was no way of me being able to accurately check current with shore power back on at the time.

I bought the unit from a UK distributor, but now you mention it, there were some significant delays for one reason or another...

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by wiekeith

Monte,
I've now done some calibrated tests, it actually produces about 36lt/hr with water at 19.5 degrees and with shore-power keeping the batteries at 13V+, and I checked this a few times as it seemed too high to me - it was producing 300ml in 30 secs. However, it takes 20A at 12.6V (not 10A at 12V as I put in my original post). There was no way of me being able to accurately check current with shore power back on at the time.

What unit? If I got the conversion right, that is 9.5 gal with 20 amps x 12.6 volts = 252 watts, or 26 watts per gallon The Spectra 200T is spec'd at 8.3 gal/hr with 10 amp at 12 volts, or 17 watts per gallon, and my friend who owns one says actual output is higher. The Spectra 150 has the same 17 watts per gallon spec (or 6.3 gal/hr at 9 amps).

When I was shopping and comparing, the Spectra was by-far the most efficient 12 volt system available. And you pay for that performance. Full disclosure though - I bought one, not installed yet, but have two friends that have owned them for multiple years.

[wiekeith]

Originally Posted by sailjumanji

What unit? If I got the conversion right, that is 9.5 gal with 20 amps x 12.6 volts = 252 watts, or 26 watts per gallon The Spectra 200T is spec'd at 8.3 gal/hr with 10 amp at 12 volts, or 17 watts per gallon, and my friend who owns one says actual output is higher. The Spectra 150 has the same 17 watts per gallon spec (or 6.3 gal/hr at 9 amps).

When I was shopping and comparing, the Spectra was by-far the most efficient 12 volt system available. And you pay for that performance. Full disclosure though - I bought one, not installed yet, but have two friends that have owned them for multiple years.

Yes, I agree with your calculations, assuming US gallons . I was aware that it was not the most efficient unit on the market wrt water/watt, but I'm anticipating using it for only an hour every couple of days (it's only for me), so was not too concerned. It was the price and compactness that did it for me. I've also 'knocked up' a control panel and an auto flush system for about £20.

I 'thought' I'd bought the Splash 25, and that's what I paid for, but the tests I've done seem to indicate it's the Splash 30, and agree with the manufactures specs for that model.

[wiekeith]

Originally Posted by wiekeith

I 'thought' I'd bought the Splash 25, and that's what I paid for, but the tests I've done seem to indicate it's the Splash 30, and agree with the manufactures specs for that model.

Manufactured by Eco-sistems of Spain.

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by wiekeith

I've also 'knocked up' a control panel and an auto flush system for about £20.

Now that's a sweet deal!

[monte]

Originally Posted by wiekeith

Monte,
I've now done some calibrated tests, it actually produces about 36lt/hr with water at 19.5 degrees and with shore-power keeping the batteries at 13V+, and I checked this a few times as it seemed too high to me - it was producing 300ml in 30 secs. However, it takes 20A at 12.6V (not 10A at 12V as I put in my original post). There was no way of me being able to accurately check current with shore power back on at the time.

I bought the unit from a UK distributor, but now you mention it, there were some significant delays for one reason or another...

That's interesting. The dealer stated the following efficiency rates. 192W would be 16A at 12V. Or do you have the splash 30?
SPLASH INTEGRAL
liters
watts
volts DC
watts /liter
Amps-hour/liter
SPLASH-25
25
192
12
7,68
0,64
SPLASH-30S
30
220
12
7,33
0,61

[wiekeith]

I 'thought' I'd bought the Splash 25 (that's what I paid for), but the tests do indicate it's a Splash 30 under the bonnet.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by monte

That's interesting. The dealer stated the following efficiency rates. 192W would be 16A at 12V. Or do you have the splash 30?
SPLASH INTEGRAL
liters
watts
volts DC
watts /liter
Amps-hour/liter
SPLASH-25
25
192
12
7,68
0,64
SPLASH-30S
30
220
12
7,33
0,61

So it appears to use just a bit more power per gallon than the kaadyn power survivor 80E and the katadyn is a bit lower price and better supported in north america.

[wiekeith]

Originally Posted by newhaul

So it appears to use just a bit more power per gallon than the kaadyn power survivor 80E and the katadyn is a bit lower price and better supported in north america.

Unfortunately the 80E is a lot more expensive here in the UK, although it is readily available.

[robert sailor]

I was under the impression that Eco-Sistem "Splash 25" was competitive with the Spectra 150/200.

It certainly is on price as they advertise a launch price of 2900 Euro but their energy recovery system seems to be well below Spectra's, by almost half.

Seems to me that the Splash direct competitor might be Echo-Tec as their 12 volt unit is around 19 amps per hour and 8-1/2 gallons output.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by newhaul

So it appears to use just a bit more power per gallon than the kaadyn power survivor 80E and the katadyn is a bit lower price and better supported in north america.

Where are you seeing those prices? Amazon has the 80E at $ 5300. The Eco-Sistem is just over $ 3300 at today's exchange rate. Since I'm going to have to pay at LEAST a 17% import duty no matter which way I go, a couple thousand bucks less up front starts to get even more important. The Katadyne 80E would cost me $ 6200 plus shipping from the US. The Eco-system Splash would cost me $ 3860. plus shipping from Spain.

The Spanish system has my attention.

[newhaul]

Actually from katadyn directly $4290 euros
The Power Survivor Series | Watermakers | Desalinators | Katadyn®

[Tellie]

If a Katadyn 80e is what you want why go to Amazon when all you have to do is simply PM a certain member here?

Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators

[Kenomac]

We have two members on this forum, Rich and Tellie who offer an enormous amount of watermaker information and advice absolutely free. So why start shopping on line with amazon when it comes time to buy one?

If you ever have a question or problem, both of these fellows pick up the phone immediately and solve the issue... The best customer service IMHO.

Ken

[newhaul]

One question for tellie is the motor and gearbox assembly available for the 35E ?