Energy recovery Water maker

[MickeHR36]

Hi all, im planning to install a water maker in the next year or so on our HR36. We are two persons and using about 30/liters a day (in total). We have a tank capacity of 350 liters today. Im gona use 12v to power the water maker depending on mainly solar and then top up battery banks when needed with a honda genset (hence the look at energy recovering systems). Ive been looking at 3 different systems:

Schenker Smart 30 basic
Eco-Sistems S25 (or S30)
Spectra Ventura 150 deluxe

I prefer to operate the system manually (rinsing, pickling etc) since i want to have controll over the process

I would really appreciate comments from persons which are using any of the systems mentioned above on reliability, purchase price and hopefully some sugestions where to buy them.

Best regards

Micke

[Kenomac]

We're very pleased with our Spectra watermakers and use two completely manual systems, 380c units. Go one size larger than you think you'll need for basics. It's nice to be able to wash down the boat, wash dive gear, laundry and wash down an anchor and chain etc.

Having a watermaker opens up all kinds of possibilities.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Micke.

[deepthought]

What is the difference between Schenker and Spectra ?

I was comparing a spectra 380c to a schenker 60 and they look almost exactly the same?

Is one better built? Parts easier to get?

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by deepthought

What is the difference between Schenker and Spectra ?

I was comparing a spectra 380c to a schenker 60 and they look almost exactly the same?

Is one better built? Parts easier to get?

Well, ones a knock off of the other.

[deepthought]

I assume that some one copied some one but which is the better

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by deepthought

I assume that some one copied some one but which is the better

The original.

[Pizzazz]

In your case, it would not make much difference if you use an energy recovery watermaker. Standard watermakers produce water at around 4AHr per gallon or 20 AHr in your case for 30 literally per day. An energy recovery watermaker will bring this down to 8 AHr per day. Not a big difference. The issue is that once you have a high capacity watermaker you start using much more water since it is free.

My main considerations will be how much noise these watermakers make. A Spectra (the original) is quite noisy. Don't know about the others you mentioned. I use a Power survivor 35 and it needs to run for about 5 hours per day to produce your target water amount. The beauty of it is that it takes very little space and it is very quiet. You can't here it while sailing, so it can run forever. At anchor though you can hear this thump thump noise that is annoying. I would rather switch on the high capacity watermaker and be done with it in an hour.