Experience With Cruise RO Watermaker

[zboss]

You can run the AC high output models off an inverter. Then run the engine or use your alt energy to replenish. We usually run the engine every few days anyhow to make sure it will always start when you need it. Our 30 GPH water maker gobbles up about 100 amps per hour but our 165 alternator keeps pace. On a good sunny day we throw out a good 3 hours of sunlight or about 1200 Watts, so you may as well run that unit... cruise ro or otherwise.

[PeterLIA]

We have had the 40 size operating now for nearly 5 years with no serious issues and can absolutely say the few time I have needed parts the service from Rich is exemplary.
I usually order the 1 year cruising kit and it does the 12 months no problem despite the fact we use it a LOT.
We have the remote panel which helps due to the location we have the unit installed.
We have plenty of holding capacity so we tend to run it when we get below 25% and then fill to 75%.
I am very happy with my decision to go the Cruise RO Watermaker

[Bleemus]

Do they offer any DC models? I only see AC models on their site.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Question on the Cruise RO Simple water maker models (=without remote panel) where the controls are mounted on the RO pressure vessel.

Can the RO pressure vessel be mounted vertically into a cabinet?

If this is possible one could just install the pressure vessel in a cabinet and cut a fitting hole for accessing the gauge and valve, no?

Absolutely....the pressure vessel can be mounted in any orientation.

I'm seriously humbled by the nice comments, but of course my wife says she knows me too well to be impressed. I guess shes on ego patrol...ha ha ha

Originally Posted by Bleemus

Do they offer any DC models? I only see AC models on their site.

Well no...but maybe yes....let me explain.
Once you decide to use a standard piston pump instead of an energy recovery pump like is used in a Spectra, you have to accept the energy hog nature of a piston pump in trade for the simplicity and high output.

So yes we can replace the one horsepower AC motor with a 1 horsepower DC motor....BUT it is very important to understand that unless you have lithium ion batteries you're really only realistically going to be able to run that 80 amp DC motor when your diesel engine is running and your alternator is supplying power. It may work on paper in a spreadsheet to run an 80 amp load for 1 hour but that type of a draw without a big solar panel array or some type of charging device helping keep the voltage up will crush your let acid batteries.

So when clients call me and tell me they want to stay 12 volt and they have the typical Cruiser setup of somewhere between a 400 and 800 lead acid battery Bank with 300 watts of solar, I tell them that their best choice is to go with a Spectra. The last thing I want is someone with one of my water makers that's unhappy with it and the number one way new Cruisers in planning get in trouble is not understanding and making mistakes in their energy budget. We don't list that 12 volt option on the website, it's something we sell only after we discuss it fully and make sure people understand what they're buying. A 12 volt piston pump watermaker in my opinion isn't something you can run off the typical solar system and let acid battery Bank.

[Franziska]

Thanks.
Good to know.

Can a Honda i10eu run the smallest of your units?
The small one supplies a bit more than the Power Survivor 40E doesn't it?

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Thanks.
Good to know.

Can a Honda i10eu run the smallest of your units?
The small one supplies a bit more than the Power Survivor 40E doesn't it?

Unfortunately No.
The Honda 1000 just doesn't have enough power to run the 1100W 1.0Hp motor used on both our 20GPH and 30GPH models.

The Power Survivor 40E is rated at 1.5GPH. To put that in perspective, you would need to run the 40E for 13.3 HOURS to make 20 gallons of water. At a 4.0 Amp power draw that is 53.2 Amp Hours out of your battery bank.

By comparison, you can make 20 gallons of water in an hour and charge your batteries at the same time with our approach of running the Honda 2000 or diesel genset if you have one.. Hey not everyone likes our approach and some think I'm crazy, to which I say guilty as charged. I'm more into showers and deck/gear wash downs and anchor....

[WanderIVth]

I purchased a boat with that system installed but the manual only talks about how to flush if you have the autoflush. I don't and have zero idea how to flush the now pickled system. Can you give some help?

[Caliber40]

Call Cruise RO....Rich would be glad to help. If not let me know and I can e mail you a manual

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by WanderIVth

I purchased a boat with that system installed but the manual only talks about how to flush if you have the autoflush. I don't and have zero idea how to flush the now pickled system. Can you give some help?

I'm not sure what model year Cruise RO you have.
So here is the manual from 2014 to 2019:
www.cruiserowaterandpower.com/uploads/sm20.pdf

Then here is a link for the manual from 2020:
https://we.tl/t-7Cr61QW55T

Of course as a member of the Cruise RO family now, you have my personal cell phone at 619 609 3432 for 7 day a week tech support.

Cheers

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by WanderIVth

I purchased a boat with that system installed but the manual only talks about how to flush if you have the autoflush. I don't and have zero idea how to flush the now pickled system. Can you give some help?

Freshwater-flush Procedure

If the SeaMaker has not been operated for more than 3 to 5 days since its last freshwater flush, the system will need an additional freshwater flush to inhibit the growth of biological organisms. If left unchecked, these organisms could lead to membrane and pre-filter element fouling and a rotten-egg smell in the product water.

The rotten-egg smell comes from the waste product (Hydrogen sulfide) of the anaerobic biological organisms. If your system has this unmistakable rotten-egg smell, don’t panic, it’s just time for a system sanitizing which is explained in the next section on “Pickling and preparing the SeaMaker for longer term storage”.

39

1. Verify that the Product Water Selector 3-way valve is in the “sample”

position. (which is where is should always be kept when the SeaMaker is

not in use)

2. Turn the Inlet Water Selector 3-way valve from the middle “Off” position

to the freshwater flush position. (You will be pulling water from your

ships freshwater tanks, so be sure there is adequate fresh water in the tank for the freshwater flush or you run the risk of running the system dry)

3. Verify that the pickling 3-way valve is in the normal operations mode,

which can be visually verified by making sure the handle, is in the up

position.

4. Verify that the Pressure Regulating valve is completely open by turning

the valve until it stops counterclockwise. (you never want to start the

high pressure pump without the pressure regulating valve being in the

fully open position, turned to the stop counterclockwise)

5. Turn on the boost pump and let run for at least 1 minute. (Verify

freshwater flow by seeing water exiting the brine discharge.)

6. After confirming water flow exiting the brine, turn on the high pressure

pump for 2-3 minutes.

CAUTION: Do not run freshwater through the RO pressure vessel at

high pressure, always make sure the Pressure Regulating valve is

completely open (turn counterclockwise until the valve stops).

Running fresh water through the RO membranes will rupture the

membrane and destroy them.

7. Turn off the high pressure pump.

8. Turn off the boost pump

9. Turn the Inlet Water Selector 3-way valve to the middle “off” position,

which shuts off any water flow to the inlet of the system.

The SeaMaker can now sit idle for up to 3 to 5 day before: 1) its next use 2) an additional freshwater flush or 3) pickling for extended system storage.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Of course as a member of the Cruise RO family now, you have my personal cell phone at 619 609 3432 for 7 day a week tech support.

Cheers

A reply in 38mins, and a personal phone number. Damn, that's tech support that nobody can complain about!

[WanderIVth]

That's amazing. I actually got a hold of the previous owner who walked me through the process. But seriously, thank you so much.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

A reply in 38mins, and a personal phone number. Damn, that's tech support that nobody can complain about!

INDEED!

[Lepke]

I have a homemade 40gph watermaker very similar to CruiseRO's unit. I always run 5 gallons of fresh thru the system at the end so it always sits in FW. I've never pickled the current membranes.

[WanderIVth]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

I'm not sure what model year Cruise RO you have.
So here is the manual from 2014 to 2019:
www.cruiserowaterandpower.com/uploads/sm20.pdf

Then here is a link for the manual from 2020:
https://we.tl/t-7Cr61QW55T

Of course as a member of the Cruise RO family now, you have my personal cell phone at 619 609 3432 for 7 day a week tech support.

Cheers

I have an older RO30. I got the initial flush done, but now I don't get a drip from the hose when I turn on the boost pump. Pickling 3-way is up, started with other one to freshwater and big switch to sample. Any thoughts?