Watermakers

[Talbot]

I will be short on power and space, so wondered what sort of watermaker people would recommend.

I have been looking at either the PUR 40, or Waterlog 200 - does anyone have any commenst on these, or suggestions for alternatives that wont break the bank

[sy Dolce Vita]

We use a PUR 80 for the last 12 years or so. Works great. We've had to replace the membranes @ 10 years of age .and standard maintanance. Other than that "No Prob Mon."If to buy one today I would get a Spectra

Michael

[Harriet]

I agree with sy Dolce Vita about Spectra. We had one in our previous boat, and it was the only piece of equipment besides the solar panels that never gave us a minute of trouble. So we were especially pleased to learn that our new boat uses Spectra as well. We are full time liveaboard cruisers and we make water every few days, so the equipment definitely gets used. Again, no problems, and the water quality is excellent.

[tauras]

We have a spectra on our cutter and the energy cost is about one amp per gallon. We produce about 7 gallons per hr so 7 or so amps is energy effective. But a new one will break the bank at about 4500.00. I have seen used ones on the market at about half that price.
Tauras

[Strygaldwir]

May I ask where you found a used Spectra? I tend to look on eBay, but no such luck there.

[sv_makai]

We have an SK water maker aboard Makai. it is a 12 volt 6gph modular model. We have been using it for the last year in the Caribbean and it has worked great. It was also the most competitive price for output and quality.

SK has provided support before, durning and after delivery. The orginal unit was lost in shipping by Fedex. They immendiately packaged a new unit and sent it out 2 day to insure we would have in time to cast off lines.

[GordMay]

Cpt. Bill:
Can you provide a link or contact information on SK Watermakers (I've never heard of them)?
Thanks,
Gord

[exposure]

I was curious so did a google and found them at...

http://www.skwatermakers.com/

I also found a lot of very positive comments about them. The sailes price of the 6gph unit is $2,995. That seems like a good deal. What is the current draw?

Woody

[sv_makai]

When we were first explained the consumption they made it clear that it inlcuded the lift pump. Some of the others we reserched had that seperated as it depended on the installation of the system, whether above the water line or below. We are drawing about 1.3 to 1.4 amps per gallon @ 6 g/h inlcuding the lift pump. It is also a very quite running unit.

http://www.skwatermakers.com/

Also one of the critiera in selecting was the avaliblity of parts. System pieces can be purchased from multiple sources, vs spetrca for example. If the clark pump fails or needs seals, etc, you must go to the manufacture. The cat pump used as with many other parts can be found locally.

[denedios]

digging up an old thread i noticed a recent referral to the sk website.

one little correction since the url info is outdated....
http://skwatermakers.net
*new domain*

just checking our site referrals! sorry for the shameless plug

SK is under new ownership (since this thread was created).

email us at info@skwatermakers.net or fill out our info request form if you're interested.

thanks for reading. and thanks for the comments!

[Sunspot Baby]

Using limited space and power, we have used a PUR 40E for the last three years trouble free. It easily keeps us in drinking water running only when we are motoring or charging batteries.

We use tanks for washing etc. If we are doing a lot of motoring in clean water for some reason, and the water jugs are all full, we will run water maker into tank, but that is not often.

Tanks are filled with rain water, free water, or sometimes cheap water.

George

[SIlenti]

There are several articles available on building you own.

This link is a bit more complex than other options but it includes automation.

http://rutuonline.com/html/watermaker.html

[SIlenti]

It took me too long to find the link to a simpler, electrically driven, version. Beyond the time limit to edit a post so...

http://www.svquintessence.com/watermakerintro.html

That one inlcudes sources for the parts as well.

[senormechanico]

During our 4 years cruising Mexico, we first had a used Power survivor 35 which lasted a couple of years. It was ok, but then we replaced it with a PUR 80. That was a big improvement.

When we sold the boat and bought our current boat which came with a Spectra 180 I couldn't belive the difference! It's in a whole different league. With our old boat, 8 amps gave us 80 gpd, with the PUR but now we get 180 from the Spectra with the same amp draw. The ppm is around 180. Good water!


Steve B.

[northerncat]

yes but a simpler elctrically driven one is what i want ot build
sean