Very small water-maker oder Big one for very fast refilling?

[MHTinkler]

When on the hook I make water approximately ever 6 to 8 days. It is a 110 volt, 38 gal/hr (approx), two membrane, DIY system. Run easily on a Westinghouse 2400 suitcase generator. Takes about 2 hours to start system, fill tanks and misc, then rinse and button up. 2 people, cook and shower on board. Comfort level is well worth investment in a little noise and required time.

[Cheechako]

I converted a complicated, heavy 120v x 1.5HP unit to engine drive. I made about 25 gal an hour. Often motoring or motorsailing between anchorages in light winds, you just fill the tanks and live off them until you motor again.

[jkleins]

For those of you who have excess solar energy, hate to hear the generator and are considering the PowerSurvivor 40 I highly recommend you do careful soundproofing. That was our setup for years and I found the noise of the water maker as disturbing as a generator even though not as loud it broke the silence of an anchorage just the same. We managed by using it only at night so it was just white noise but for those thinking of using it during the day when the sun is out pay attention to the noise.

[drcat]

A co called Sun Pure Watermakers make a series of 12v and 120v watermakers.
The 12v version makes 8-12g/h has a 1/2hp 12v dc motor, uses 39amps and costs $3,100 with shipping.
For the same price they have a 18-25g/h using a 1hp 120v motor. With a smart start device this could run off a 2000 watt inverter generator
They have several other models. Link is below. I have nothing to do with co.

Products – SUN PURE WATER MAKERS

[Jimmyhenry]

Washing the decks with fresh water???
Struth. Why??
We have a 35 l/hr Schenker. Uses 10 amps if there is no wind or sun.
Very happy with it.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Jimmyhenry

Washing the decks with fresh water???
Struth. Why??
We have a 35 l/hr Schenker. Uses 10 amps if there is no wind or sun.
Very happy with it.

Interesting… never heard of them. How much do these cost?

[Jimmyhenry]

The Schenker cost $NZ4000.
Fitting it professionally cost around $2000.
In hindsight it was simple and I could have done it myself.

Modular design.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Jimmyhenry

The Schenker cost $NZ4000.
Fitting it professionally cost around $2000.
In hindsight it was simple and I could have done it myself.

Modular design.

Thanks.

That seems like a pretty good price — $3,700 CND. Hmmm….

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Jimmyhenry

Washing the decks with fresh water???

Struth. Why??

If you have been out in rougher water enough salt can build up to where you have crystals on deck, that get drug into the boat on your feet.
I even fresh water rinse my anchor chain as it goes into the locker, I figure it will add lots of life to the chain not sitting in wet salt water.

[john61ct]

If fresh water is plentiful, why not?

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If you have been out in rougher water enough salt can build up to where you have crystals on deck, that get drug into the boat on your feet.
I even fresh water rinse my anchor chain as it goes into the locker, I figure it will add lots of life to the chain not sitting in wet salt water.

One of the reasons I’d like a WM. Here’s our dodger after a typical few days of Newfoundland sailing. Enough salt crystal buildup everywhere on deck to fill a small barrel.

[Happ]

You should check out the Rainman WM. They have an electric unit that uses 28ah and produces 9gal or about 36l an hour. The unit is a tad over $4k US. I saw it at the Annapolis Boat Show.

I am not affiliated with the company.

[Eshelby67]

Salt crystals all over the deck? I haven't done a great deal of off shore sailing but years ago i used to work on commercial fishing vessels, 7 nights a week for 90 night trips working any weather and can't remember crunchy salt crystals all over the deck, maybe tiny bits on the windows but definitely nothing really noticeable lol

[Marqus]

Originally Posted by Jimmyhenry

We have a 35 l/hr Schenker. Uses 10 amps if there is no wind or sun.
Very happy with it.

Here's a quote from the Schenker web site:
"A Schenker watermaker ..... does not require adjustments, is totally silent and vibration-free."

In the light of Jkleins's observation about the PS 40 ...

Originally Posted by jkleins

.... I found the noise of the water maker as disturbing as a generator ...

... it sounds nearly to good to be true.

Can you sleep right next to it while it's running, Jimmy?

[s/v Jedi]

For a blue water cruiser we consider a watermaker not only mandatory, but a primary system as well. These are the important points imo:

- a membrane is a cross flow filter. It depends on the cross flow to clean itself and flush contaminants out. If there is not enough cross flow, the membranes lifespan is severely reduced.

- as a primary system, we require two power sources to be able to run it. First is the diesel genset, second the inverter supported by the diesel propulsion engine spinning big alternators.

We have a 40gph unit with a 1-1/2 hp 240V motor. Going low capacity allows solar power to be one of the options, but it fails the first point of longevity. All those systems breakdown all the time. My system never failed yet and the first set of membranes lasted 9 years!

I recommend contacting Rich @ CruiseRO. Check out the YouTube videos (and every sailing channel I follow use their systems as well)