AC watermaker powered from inverter

[sailorboy1]

Anyone out there with an AC watermaker that they are powering off their inverter? Any issues/problems?

Is there an issue running an inverter at 100 amps DC/10 amps AC for an hour? (probably something for the electrical forum if no watermaker users respond).

Because I'm sure it is going to get asked: recharge the batteries via solar or whatever, and the whole thing of course is based on having the battery capacity as needed.

Why not just use DC powered unit: $1500!

[djmarchand]

If your inverter is sized for the 1,200 watt load (at least 1,500 watts), there should be no problem running the watermaker.

But it will probably take about 120 amps DC to produce 10 amps AC (inverter losses) and it will probably take 150 amphours input (Peukerts Coefficient) to replace the 120 amphours consumed. It will take a lot of solar panels to do that.

David

[colemj]

I don't see the purpose of an AC watermaker primarily powered by an inverter. Get a DC and save power for the same amount of water.

We plan to replace our DC with an AC system soon. But the generator will be the primary source of power and the inverter will be used only when we are motoring and providing 150A of alternator charge. I don't see any reason to run it off an inverter otherwise.

Mark

[sailorboy1]

Why - $1500 (much more if I go to the "fancy" units)

How - My solar panel can put out 110AH/day and I only normally use 60AH. If I were to run the watermaker and draw down the batteries to 75% they will recharge to 100% in 2-3 days. And less if I ran my engine or potable generator for something else in that time. I could double my solar for less than $400 as I put the system together based on this when I selcted the wiring etc.

It doesn't really seem like it makes any difference how much power/gal of water is required as long as I can make up the power use reasonably. But I could be wrong.

[rcmpegasus]

I am using an inverter and solar panels for my watermaker, supplemented by small generator or alternator if motoring. Watermaker consumes 18 amps AC for 3 hours every third or fourth day. The best approach seems to be running the watermaker when solar is at its peak output. Be careful that you don't let batteries go below 65 percent. Usually don't have to use generator at all, which is my goal.

My system is five 265 watt panels, Outback flex 80 MPPT, two victron 3000 multiplus, eight Odyssey 214 amp hour Agm batteries, CruiseRO 40 gal per hour watermaker. System was just finished so don't have much data on performance but will post it when I get some time on it.

[Pelagic]

I went thru the same analysis a few months ago with various suppliers before deciding to order new system with DC HP Pump as being the most dependable/versatile solution, while cruising remote.

I like to make water underway but don’t like to run my starboard mounted generator while heeled

Also, I don’t like the idea putting all my eggs in one basket of depending on a 3000Watt inverter running a 1.0 HP motor in the tropics,… as well as other AC demands that may be used (electric kettle/microwave/toaster/office stuff).

Solar, High output Main Engine Alternator, Shaft Alternator are independent of any Gen/Invertor problems in making water with a DC system.

My only added cost of using a DC 1.0HP pump instead of AC was for a DC start relay to the control panel.
A spare DC Motor would cost about $400

Personally, I think DC motors will become more popular for high output RO systems as Green DC generation and battery storage solutions continue to improve.

[sailorboy1]

nothing about watermarkers is "putting all eggs in 1 basket" that is what water tanks are for

but I am just continuing to put together options to consider