DIY Watermaker
- Thread starter foggysail
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http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=133748
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
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I purchased plans off of the internet for $9.99 including a complete parts list. In the process, the list called for some fairly cheap, low quality components so I upgraded to better stuff, in particular, the boost pump.
Mine is a 12v system and produces about 4 gallons per hour which for me and my boat is plenty. The current draw is very small and I run it mainly when I am under way. Works very well and water product stays well below 200 ppm even in the Bahamas.
Bob
PS: Sent you a private email
Mine is a 12v system and produces about 4 gallons per hour which for me and my boat is plenty. The current draw is very small and I run it mainly when I am under way. Works very well and water product stays well below 200 ppm even in the Bahamas.
Bob
PS: Sent you a private email
Bob-- Did not receive our private message.
I found information that has merit but does require modifications.
http://rutuonline.com/html/watermaker.html
What I have been up to is searching out pump options. At first I thought of a Cat pump that is popular with watermakers. But what bothers me is there seems to be a high vibration on the hoses requiring them to be protected from chaffing. If there is vibration, there is noise.
I am searching out other affordable pumps. Hydra-Cell has a couple that might work if purchased used but finding them is not easy. I thought I would need something made completely of bronze or SS but I now believe I can get by with SS & brass if the pump is flushed after each use.........and the recomendations are that the membranes should be flushed, doing so will then also flush the pump.
Also note that I plan to operate mine from AC provided by my Kohler 7.5 KW
More later---------if I don't give up.
Foggy
I found information that has merit but does require modifications.
http://rutuonline.com/html/watermaker.html
What I have been up to is searching out pump options. At first I thought of a Cat pump that is popular with watermakers. But what bothers me is there seems to be a high vibration on the hoses requiring them to be protected from chaffing. If there is vibration, there is noise.
I am searching out other affordable pumps. Hydra-Cell has a couple that might work if purchased used but finding them is not easy. I thought I would need something made completely of bronze or SS but I now believe I can get by with SS & brass if the pump is flushed after each use.........and the recomendations are that the membranes should be flushed, doing so will then also flush the pump.
Also note that I plan to operate mine from AC provided by my Kohler 7.5 KW
More later---------if I don't give up.
Foggy
Thanks Bob but there is no need to share your plans. I am not trying to offend you its just that I have pretty much made my mind to emulate the system shown in the pointer I attached to my last post. I am trying for at least 40 gal/hr using a 220vac motor. NOw beyond that things are still sloppy. I will share with you and anyone interested in my progress as I begin to make progress. As I type, the only thing sure is that the ro will be AC powered. MOre later--
Foggy
Foggy
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- Mar 4, 2009
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how about sharing that parts list with all of us ? I'd like to see how you made one.
No problem!!! But this is a big project for me. I still have not conquered Dow's ROSA program. Maybe its not needed but at sometime I need to know what pressure and flow rates the membranes need to be set. I can get a lot done in the mean time.
I am chasing pump information now. SS pumps are spelled $$$$$. I am looking into a pump that has SS components but with a brass head. Yeah, I know the corrosion risks but the membrane will require flushing so the pump would also get flushed. MOre later---
Foggy
I am chasing pump information now. SS pumps are spelled $$$$$. I am looking into a pump that has SS components but with a brass head. Yeah, I know the corrosion risks but the membrane will require flushing so the pump would also get flushed. MOre later---
Foggy
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
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quote:
Originally posted by mixman
$1,300 is a darn good deal on a watermaker. You should put another one together and sell it for $2,600
LOL, My neighbor wants to trade me his brand new, still in the box Katadyn PowerSurvivor 40e and extended cruise kit for mine, even up. (I think he paid something like $3500 for all of it) The way I did mine it can be installed in virtually any space and would be much easier to install in his boat than the Katadyn, or so he says. For my boat the capacity of the Katadyn is plenty.
I'm thinking about it.
Bob
I upgraded on the 80E system I never used, Kurt (Mixman) got it. I wanted a 12 volt system even though I have a generator. I ended up with a Spectra system with the Z brane UV protection. Does about 7gph draws less than 9 amps. It is a fully automatic system, even cleans/backwashes itself every 5 days.
Bill
Bill
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- Feb 28, 2007
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Bob,
The output of the 40e is only rated at 1.5 GPH. I think you should stick with what you built. Bill's old 80e (mine now
is rated at 4gph, and while it works perfectly for us, I wouldn't want any less. I run the genny in the evenings for hot water and battery charging and the 4gph then mixed with running some underway works great. But 1.5 would not cut it.There were 2 reasons I never used my 80E, I really wanted a 160E they were not available. Then I saw the freatures of the Spectra and I had to have it. I don't even remember what I sold it to Kurt for but I think he got a real good deal. The Spectra was darn near $10k. if I remember correctly but that was back in the good old days when we had a real economy.
Bill
Bill