12 volt watermakers, which one?

[Franziska]

Curing the world??

Just an observation.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

I still don't understand how you can mix metaphors, or units like that.

I will be very careful of anyone who calls a product "Gay Porn Extreme"
Does it come with bumhole chaps?



Seriously, 16 watts per gallon, its not possible. 16 watt/hours maybe.

The measurement is wrong, can someone please clarify.

Let's say a watermaker is using 10amps at 12 volts making 20 litres per hour.

So 20 litres will take 1 hour and cost 120 Watt hours.

Saying it as 6 Watts per litre is just eliminating the common denominator.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

But when your charge controller starts cutting back on the amps going to your batteries, that's the ideal time to run a 12v watermaker! You're putting "wasted" solar capacity to good use!



A Spectra makes about 4 litres per amp hour, our Little wonder makes a bit more than 2. So it's really not bad, and can certainly be run off our solar.

I got that, for me one big point was price, another a simplistic design, oh and did I forget price
The second big point is that I wanted a generator anyway, I’m not convinced you can do without one without making sacrifices I don’t want to make, just like you can of course do without a Watermaker, but I don’t want to make those sacrifices either.

However my point and I think you do understand it is, if your going to a DC Watermaker, really, really look hard at a very efficient one like a Spectra, not one like the average AC Watermaker, that has a DC motor on it.
I saw a friends on his Amel, pretty sure it was factory fitment, I believe it was a non energy recovery one and had two motors, one DC and one AC. That one for example I don’t think I would want to run it off of my battery bank, cause of its not being efficient like a Spectra even if you had a big enough bank to run it, your going to have to run a generator to recharge the bank, so just run the Genny and don’t cycle the batteries.

However an AC Watermaker, price, volume of water made, and simple design trumps efficiency, because a Honda 2000 will easily run most with power to spare. Of course be careful to not buy one that exceeds your power available.

They are as different as sailboats and powerboats, both get you places on the water, but in very different ways.

Neither is “better” than the other, however they are very different.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

12V, there is only one I think I would consider, and that is Spectra, unless there is another that is more energy efficient

First answer to the OP’s question, post #2.
I still stand by it.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

First answer to the OP’s question, post #2.
I still stand by it.

agreed

[sy_gilana]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Let's say a watermaker is using 10amps at 12 volts making 20 litres per hour.

So 20 litres will take 1 hour and cost 120 Watt hours.

Saying it as 6 Watts per litre is just eliminating the common denominator.

THANK YOU! that was what was worrying me, expressed as watt/hours, or more correctly A/h it makes more sense.

output at a given input, the area under the line....


It seems that most of the Schenker/Clark pump, energy recovery systems pan out at the same efficiency (entirely unsurprising). So the choice is more to do with availability, longevity, repair-ability, and price....

Me, I still use the great big watermaker in the sky, 20 years now....only had to leave an anchorage to look for water once.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Let's say a watermaker is using 10amps at 12 volts making 20 litres per hour.

So 20 litres will take 1 hour and cost 120 Watt hours.

Saying it as 6 Watts per litre is just eliminating the common denominator.

No. Watt-hours are not "watts per hour". No denominator there.

Watts per hour is nonsensical.

Only watt-hours per hour makes sense.

Watts are already a flow rate that includes a per-time element.

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Let's say a watermaker is using 10amps at 12 volts making 20 litres per hour.

So 20 litres will take 1 hour and cost 120 Watt hours.

Saying it as 6 Watts per litre is just eliminating the common denominator.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by john61ct

No. Watt-hours are not "watts per hour". No denominator there.

Watts per hour is nonsensical.

Only watt-hours per hour makes sense.

Watts are already a flow rate that includes a per-time element.

Ok, for the anal, not common denominator, common term.

It isn't strictly correct, but most people understand it.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Zai

I wouldn't expect a marine supplier to recommend a brand he doesn't sell either.

I do all the time....

When clients come to me at boat shows looking for a water maker but then I find out they don't have (or want) a generator I routinely walk the client down to what I believe is the best 12v water maker on the market hands down...Spectra.

And on more than one occasion I can remember Ray Carter (formerly with Spectra) walking clients down to my booth when they wanted a 40GPH water maker to run off their 8K genset.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

I do all the time....

When clients come to me at boat shows looking for a water maker but then I find out they don't have (or want) a generator I routinely walk the client down to what I believe is the best 12v water maker on the market hands down...Spectra.

And on more than one occasion I can remember Ray Carter (formerly with Spectra) walking clients down to my booth when they wanted a 40GPH water maker to run off their 8K genset.

Another common misunderstanding is that we are evil competitors with each other. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Capt.Don

Following this thread. I'm leaning towards the Spectra, though I keep thinking about the 80e.

Where do folks install the pump, membrane and filters? Do you sacrifice a storage locker or try to scatter under bunks, behind sinks, etc.?
Don

All my Spectra Catalina components are mounted up high in the port engine room...consumed zero otherwise usable space.

Only the control panel is out at the nav station.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Another common misunderstanding is that we are evil competitors with each other. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Well one of us has been reported to be Evil from time to time, but I ain't saying who....

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Capt.Don

Following this thread. I'm leaning towards the Spectra, though I keep thinking about the 80e.

Where do folks install the pump, membrane and filters? Do you sacrifice a storage locker or try to scatter under bunks, behind sinks, etc.?
Don

Please, spend the difference for a Ventura 150. You'll get twice the watermaker for half the energy per gallon made and a system that is easier to work on in the field.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Well one of us has been reported to be Evil from time to time, but I ain't saying who....

Hey, I have my moments.