Where to find the cheapest RO de-salination membranes

[gathem]

I'm going to build a DIY KISS water maker.

feed pump + 2 Prefilters + high pressure pump + an RO membrane, a small bucket within 10Gallon bucket, and a simple salinity sensor. When the de-salinated water flows into the first bucket, I can take a sensor reading, and if all is good open the valve and let it pour into the bigger bucket. When the big bucket is full I can pour it into my tanks. I don't want any automatic systems, fancy-sensors, electronics, excessive valves, expensive parts, etc. etc. The minimal complexity system that turns salt water into potable water.

I can theoretically use any RO membrane as long as I match the pumps pressure to the membranes pressure rating.

Can anyone suggest the cheapest source for RO membranes/housings?

[Stu Jackson]

Oh, boy.

Another "I'm gonna reinvent the wheel" post.

Two words for you:

Rich Boren.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Oh, boy.

Another "I'm gonna reinvent the wheel" post.

Two words for you:

Rich Boren.

[Dulcesuenos]

You really only need a mop, 1 bucket, one of those green fish tank nets, and a poodle.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Captain Bill]

If you insist, try FILMTEC MEMBRANE.

[Scott Berg]

Best prices and service I've found is Rich Boren of Cruise RO Water

[nimblemotors]

This link is in my bookmarks as the cheapest.

Sea Water RO Membranes - Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Membrane - FreshWaterSystems.com

[dirkdig]

Rich is the man,has the best gear too


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[a64pilot]

I assume you want one that will be AC powered?
If so give Rich a call at Cruise RO, I feel sure he won't mind too much giving you advice and selling you some parts for a DIY watermaker, but I have a feeling that with all the fuel you will burn running around sourcing parts and time spent searching for parts etc., and if you make any mistakes you won't save any money over one of Rich's simple systems, but you will have the satisfaction of having done it yourself, which can be very rewarding in itself.

[w1651]

You only need a few things: A cup, A bowl, A piece of plastic wrap, and a stone.
Put cup in bottom of bowl. Add salt water to just below top of cup. Put plastic wrap on top of bowl. Put stone in middle of wrap. Check every hour. Do not heel boat. Get your popcorn guys this ought to be fun to watch.

[Wainui]

Cruise RO

[hellosailor]

I don't understand the entire issue. Why are some folks so hidebound on Victorian Engineering? Is the OP a diehard Steampunk?


A true zen master simply simply commands "Salt, out!" and the water desalinates itself. Of course one should do that while belowdecks, lest the ocean turn entirely fresh at the same time.


No big deal.

[jheldatksuedu]

Originally Posted by gathem

I'm going to build a DIY KISS water maker.

feed pump + 2 Prefilters + high pressure pump + an RO membrane, a small bucket within 10Gallon bucket, and a simple salinity sensor. I can theoretically use any RO membrane as long as I match the pumps pressure to the membranes pressure rating.

Can anyone suggest the cheapest source for RO membranes/housings?

There's a lot more to removing salt than a home unit making non salty water clean, much higher pressures and much better membranes, I think you need to study a desalination RO system before you go any further. I don't see anything about the much higher pressure element container here, and suspect you know nothing about what it really takes to get the salt out and building a desalination system.

[gathem]

Id like to ask everyone to stop questioning my ability to build the damn thing and focus on the actual question. I just stated that I was building a simple water maker.

I've read most of the articles/posts about DIY water makers. Theres a difference between a go-cart and a commuter car. If I needed to get to work every day I wouldn't buy a go-cart. In this case, I just want a stand alone unit, which I can plug into and outlet, swing a couple hoses over the side, and produce some drinking water. I don't want to tie in to the boats electrical/tank/through hulls. I know all about the pressure vessels, pickling, running fresh water through it after, maintenance, etc.

I don't want to delay cruising by saving up for an additional $4000 for a water maker.

I'm not "reinventing the wheel", i'm simply reducing complexity.
I just want a diy version of this without spending $5000:


Thanks to those who provided links to low cost membranes

[pparra]

Gathem,

How much water do you intend to produce per hour? I assume that you already made a research to find good prices for pressure pump. Which one are you going to use? How much for that?

Tks in advance for the info and good luck with your project!