Fully automatic watermaker?

[nfbr]

Does anyone have a fully automatic watermaker?

Just auto start when tank is low, then auto flush etc.

Comments on how well it works?

It would allow a much smaller tank if it auto ran daily.

Paul

[Paul L]

Since watermakers are a significant power draw, you would not likely want them to start making water without your knowledge.
These are simple devices and are easily manually controlled with a few valves and switches.

[PirateGuy]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Since watermakers are a significant power draw, you would not likely want them to start making water without your knowledge.
These are simple devices and are easily manually controlled with a few valves and switches.

This.

Though I suppose with a PLC (programmable logic controller) you could add electrical system sensors to only turn on the watermaker when you have excess power generation.

[nfbr]

I thought most watermakers had to start under low pressure and have restrictor valve wound in, and first product water discarded.
Mistake?

[Franziska]

Nope.

Start at low pressure to remove any air from the flow.
Once brine outlet is bubble free switch to high pressure.
Check quality of desalinated water produced, once ok, switch to tank filling.

Guess you could add sensors to check on air in system and salinity, but not sure if it's worth the effort and reliable enough.

Originally Posted by nfbr

I thought most watermakers had to start under low pressure and have restrictor valve wound in, and first product water discarded.
Mistake?

[jt11791]

I just turn my Spectra on. It has a salinity sensor and solenoid valve to automatically reject product until it is good. When the tank is full, I turn it off and start the auto-flush sequence. So just a couple of switches, I haven't seen the actual watermaker in weeks as it is mounted under a berth.

[Woodland Hills]

My Sea Recovery 30gph watermaker is automatic. Just turn it on and it ramps up the pressure, monitors salinity and directs the flow to the tanks once the water is of acceptable quality. It then back flushes automatically once a week. I just let it run until we feel like shutting off the generator or until the water starts trickling out of the vents signifying full tanks.

[Paul L]

The OP wants the WM to automatatically start when his tank is low. Not the automated salinity check that is typically offered.

[Woodland Hills]

Originally Posted by Paul L

The OP wants the WM to automatatically start when his tank is low. Not the automated salinity check that is typically offered.

Why would anyone want to do that? Do they run a big generator 24/7 or have the generator start connected to their watermaker? I can just imagine flushing the toilet at 3:00am and triggering the generator and then the watermaker!
If you have to keep the automatic start function disabled unless you are in a position to make water, what have you gained? You will still have to start the appropriate generator, balance loads and then turn on the watermaker automatic start to make water. All you have done is add another system to break down.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

Why would anyone want to do that? Do they run a big generator 24/7 or have the generator start connected to their watermaker? I can just imagine flushing the toilet at 3:00am and triggering the generator and then the watermaker!
If you have to keep the automatic start function disabled unless you are in a position to make water, what have you gained? You will still have to start the appropriate generator, balance loads and then turn on the watermaker automatic start to make water. All you have done is add another system to break down.

Not me. Ask the OP.

[Matt Johnson]

You really need to be selective in where/when you make water. It's not only about power.

Unfortunately, in many harbors you only want to make water on an incoming tide - outgoing can have all kinds of nasty things in it. And some rivers have too much silt and you'll kill filters/pumps running it there.

A system smart enough to ask you if it should make water when there is a surplus of energy would be nice, but you need to be checking other details before you click the start button.

Matt

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by nfbr

I thought most watermakers had to start under low pressure and have restrictor valve wound in, and first product water discarded.
Mistake?

The recovery type watemakers (Spectra, Ecosistems, Schenker) regulate the pressure in the way the pump works and have no external valve. With an automated version of these systems, the product water is tested with a salinity prob and a solenoid opens and directs the water to the tank when it reaches a good level.

I've had manual and automated versions of this type of watermaker. While the automation can be a pain to keep working right, it's real benefit is that it is constantly checking the salinity of the water throughout the run. If midway through something happens and the salinity rises, it turns off the flow to the tanks and prevents you dumping saltwater into your potable water tank.

I added this feature to my manual Eco Sistems to keep this from happening.

Matt

[CassidyNZ]

My watermaker is such a simple, manually operated device that I can’t conceive of any reason to make it complicated by adding logic control, micro-processors, salinity probes.

I want it to make water when I need water. I want it to stop when I have enough water. I want it not to draw filthy water into the filters. I want it not to kill my batteries. I want it not to wake me in the middle of the night.

I want to make all these decisions myself. And when it doesn’t want to do what I ask of it, I want to know why it has chosen not to. And I always do. Anything more complex than that is not for me.

In other words, I want a fully unautomatic watermaker. YMMV.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by nfbr

Does anyone have a fully automatic watermaker?

Just auto start when tank is low, then auto flush etc.

Comments on how well it works?

It would allow a much smaller tank if it auto ran daily.

Paul

A few years back I delivered a SABA 50 that used a PLC to automate the process. It had an override for fouled harbors. I am 99% sure it was a one-off PLC.

Best move is for you contact the manufacturer for more info.

[PirateGuy]

Originally Posted by Snore

A few years back I delivered a SABA 50 that used a PLC to automate the process. It had an override for fouled harbors. I am 99% sure it was a one-off PLC.

Best move is for you contact the manufacturer for more info.

PLC’s are generic devices. They are surprisingly affordable and relatively easy to program. The control program is the one-off “component”.

With enough sensors. cabling (non wifi), solenoids, etc you could automate many functions on a boat. For instance, you might use an optical scan to determine water turbidity to avoid silting up your pre-filters.

High end yachts with expensive paid crews probably automate lots of things to decrease manual labor inputs. I think most CF members are far more hands on to want to bother with such systems, which certainly will add electronic complexity and expensive technician (where even available) callouts.