Little Wonder Watermaker??

[amandasearle]

We are thinking of putting a Little Wonder on our yacht and would like some feedback from others who already have one. We don't have a genset so it seems the way to go for just Solar and Wind powered yachts? I know one of the drawbacks is the different filter size but I think there are drawbacks on any system one way or another.

[44'cruisingcat]

We have a little wonder 200 gpd. It's been excellent. I estimate we've made between 80,000 and 100,000 litres of fresh water with it over the past 7 years.

I did have to replace the membrane, due to getting chlorine in it. Found a new membrane to fit with higher capacity. We now make around 48. Litres per hour at 18 amps draw.

[amandasearle]

That's good to hear. What new membrane did you put in? A LW one or a different brand?

[svrodeorm]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

We have a little wonder 200 gpd. It's been excellent. I estimate we've made between 80,000 and 100,000 litres of fresh water with it over the past 7 years.

I did have to replace the membrane, due to getting chlorine in it. Found a new membrane to fit with higher capacity. We now make around 48. Litres per hour at 18 amps draw.

I have a Little Wonder 200 in the boat, the membrane from 2004 is still in mint condition apparently,but I would be grateful if you could point me to your source for the replacement that makes it twice as efficient!

Thanks, you can. PM if you do not want to post it here!

Fair winds, Nanna on the water....

[Paul L]

Ours LW has over 2,000 hours on it. I recently rebuilt the high pressure pump- an easy job. The unit has been reliable and has kept us in fresh water.
The Spectra units are much more energy efficient, so if you want to run off solar I'd look there first.
If you have the money, then a Spectra Cape Horn will give a lot more water for the same energy.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by svrodeorm

I have a Little Wonder 200 in the boat, the membrane from 2004 is still in mint condition apparently,but I would be grateful if you could point me to your source for the replacement that makes it twice as efficient!

Thanks, you can. PM if you do not want to post it here!

Fair winds, Nanna on the water....

Aquapro make a 2538 membrane which is rated for 550 gpd.

It won't make that much with the small pump the LW has, but it does make a bit more than the standard membrane. Generally runs about 11 - 12 GPH, depending on how warm the water is.

Google Aquapro 2538 membrane, there's a PDF file.

[amandasearle]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Aquapro make a 2538 membrane which is rated for 550 gpd.

It won't make that much with the small pump the LW has, but it does make a bit more than the standard membrane. Generally runs about 11 - 12 GPH, depending on how warm the water is.

Google Aquapro 2538 membrane, there's a PDF file.

Excellent! Thanks

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Aquapro make a 2538 membrane which is rated for 550 gpd.

It won't make that much with the small pump the LW has, but it does make a bit more than the standard membrane. Generally runs about 11 - 12 GPH, depending on how warm the water is.

Google Aquapro 2538 membrane, there's a PDF file.

Have you tried this in a standard LW? I put in a standard Dow membrane instead of the Parker Aqua low-flow that is spec's for the unit. It would not get below a TDS of about 900. Replaced with a low flow and the TDS went to 250 where it should be

[amandasearle]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Ours LW has over 2,000 hours on it. I recently rebuilt the high pressure pump- an easy job. The unit has been reliable and has kept us in fresh water.
The Spectra units are much more energy efficient, so if you want to run off solar I'd look there first.
If you have the money, then a Spectra Cape Horn will give a lot more water for the same energy.

I have heard a lot of bad feedback about Spectra. It may be a see of bad news spreads faster than good news but it has put me off them unfortunately

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by amandasearle

I have heard a lot of bad feedback about Spectra. It may be a see of bad news spreads faster than good news but it has put me off them unfortunately

Not sure what you are referring to. They have a good support network. If you want high energy efficiency, they are pretty much the only game in town.
A LW will use something like 17amps at a nominal 12v to create 7gals of water. A Spectra unit will use about half that.

If you don't care about efficiency, then there are many much higher volume output units available using AC.

[44'cruisingcat]

The LW isn't a bad compromise though. Much more efficient than an AC watermaker, considerably cheaper than a Spectra.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

The LW isn't a bad compromise though. Much more efficient than an AC watermaker, considerably cheaper than a Spectra.

Agreed. Do you know what the price difference is?

[44'cruisingcat]

Back when I got ours, a Spectra was not all that far off double the price.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Back when I got ours, a Spectra was not all that far off double the price.

It wasn't that big a difference when I bought mine, but it was a few K different. I think Ravor has upped the LW prices since they took them over. Looks like from quick web search that you can get the LW 200gpd for around us$5000 and a Spectra 200 for about $6500.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Paul L

It wasn't that big a difference when I bought mine, but it was a few K different. I think Ravor has upped the LW prices since they took them over. Looks like from quick web search that you can get the LW 200gpd for around us$5000 and a Spectra 200 for about $6500.

As always, it depends who you talk to. First time you have to replace the LW membrane you would break even with the cost of a Spectra 200T and the 9amps compared to the 17 amps doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the difference in price.