Cheapest off the shelf watermaker?

[Kelpie]

We have more solar than we know what to do with. We're already doing all our cooking electrically and still have loads to spare.
So I'm starting to wonder about a watermaker. Ideally something quite small that can run every day. 12v would be best but quite happy to put it through the inverter. Not all that bothered about high energy efficiency.

Any suggestions? It's quite hard to find prices from manufacturers. Just wanting to see if this is a pipe dream or not- £5k is not happening, £2k might be doable.

I should add that we're in Spain for the next few months and then planning to cross to the Caribbean, just in case that affects price and availability.

 

[Lucy52]

A while ago, at the London Boat Show, I saw a deal on a refurbished unit from a manufacturer. It might be worth phoning up and asking.

Someone will be along soon to tell you how to make one with bits from a washing machine.

 

[ryanroberts]

Spectra katadyn was the cheapest last time I looked, it's a hand operated system with optional power unit.


Katadyn PowerSurvivor 40E

 

[Kelpie]

Spectra katadyn was the cheapest last time I looked, it's a hand operated system with optional power unit.


Katadyn PowerSurvivor 40E

Looks ideal apart from the price
I did see a UK company selling secondhand ones, their sold stock listed a couple at under £2k which is more like my budget.

 

[Kelpie]

A while ago, at the London Boat Show, I saw a deal on a refurbished unit from a manufacturer. It might be worth phoning up and asking.

Someone will be along soon to tell you how to make one with bits from a washing machine.

DIY is tempting. There was a forumite on here who built one for about £1k.
Most of the DIY projects I've seen tend to be big hefty machines though, and it's not going to be easy putting something like that together whilst cruising and not having a postal address, a car, a workshop, etc etc.

 

[ashtead]

A boat that was doing the Arc last year bought one from a company in south England -Dorset I think and they self installed under the floor using the sea cocks in bow heads. Don’t know price but maybe a look at water makers used on ARC boats might provide details of makes used?

 

[Yngmar]

There's nothing off the shelf at two grand, although if you keep an eye on the ex-showroom units you may be able to score a deal: Ex demo & pre owned watermakers for sale

Otherwise it's DIY, which is in that price range, but as you rightly pointed out, it can be difficult to hunt down all the bits while on the move. Probably doable in a winter berth. Key parts are membrane + housing, the high pressure pump and a way to drive it (AC or DC motor, whatever best suits your electric setup) and don't forget the high-pressure lines.

We use our excess solar to make water and it's excellent, as it basically allows us to store power in the water tank Although we sprung for a Schenker Zen 30 energy recovery unit, at 5k EUR with all the extra bits to actually install it.

 

[Kelpie]

Thanks all.
So the Katadyn 40E is the cheapest option I've seen so far, at €3600 according to SVB- but not in stock.

 

[Hermit]

Can anyone point to some good online instructions how to make a DIY one?

 

[grumpygit]

Thanks all.
So the Katadyn 40E is the cheapest option I've seen so far, at €3600 according to SVB- but not in stock.

Try here Mactra Marine Equipment - New blue-water sailing equipment South West UK I did a deal at the boat show and I found them good to deal with as I made contact before hand and I got a free pass into the show.

 

[Crisby]

A forumite by the name of Sailaboutvic built one from scratch a few years ago and posted a lot of info and tips on how he did it. I think he no longer posts here but his posts may still be available through the site search function.

Chris

 

[Clancy Moped]

You might find in the Caribbean it's cheaper. Echotec Watermakers – The Watermaker that works and works and works…

 

[mikegunn]

Try here Mactra Marine Equipment - New blue-water sailing equipment South West UK I did a deal at the boat show and I found them good to deal with as I made contact before hand and I got a free pass into the show.

Another vote for Mactra Marine. They’re agents for Schenker who specialise in 12/24V water maker systems. The Schenker Zen 30 is a fantastic bit of kit. 30 l/hr for a 9 Amp/hr drain on 12V battery. I‘ve had a couple of Schenker models over the last 12 years. Mactra will take you through the installation process and give first class support once it’s up and running. Always had a response within 24hrs to any question. Schenker is an Italian company and they back up their agents with the same assured level of support. Not the cheapest way to do it, that will always be diy build. Far less hassle though and proven reliability. it just works!
Mike

 

[Kelpie]

I can feel myself veering towards the DIY route... urgh... another project!
Everything I've come across that gives decent detailed instructions seems to be based around a big CAT pump and an output of at least 60l/hr. I don't actually need one that size, we'd end up only running it for a few minutes.

Here's an almost certainly daft thought- the tiny Katadyn 06 manual unit, which you can get surplus for about £150, is rated for 22l/day, which is more than we currently use. Maybe I should just motorise one of those and have it slowly chugging away in the background... would certainly be a fun little project...

 

[Stingo]

I might know someone who knows someone that has a copy of a copy of a document on how to build your very own watermaker.
It has already been uploaded to Dropbox. If anyone would like a link, please PM me. Sorry, I am not prepared to post the link on a public forum.
@Kelpie & @Hermit, check your PMs

 

[geem]

Spectra katadyn was the cheapest last time I looked, it's a hand operated system with optional power unit.


Katadyn PowerSurvivor 40E

I had two of those on my last boat. Never again. Bespoke parts, leaky. 5 litres per hr output.
I built the current watermaker from parts 10 years ago. 200 litres per hour. Cost me about £2000 back then

 

[Kelpie]

I had two of those on my last boat. Never again. Bespoke parts, leaky. 5 litres per hr output.
I built the current watermaker from parts 10 years ago. 200 litres per hour. Cost me about £2000 back then

Interesting, thanks!
I get the argument about high output if you're running it from a genset and want to do a short burst. But these days with abundant cheap solar power it seems that there's no need. Unfortunately watermakers do not really seem to scale down very well

 

[geem]

Interesting, thanks!
I get the argument about high output if you're running it from a genset and want to do a short burst. But these days with abundant cheap solar power it seems that there's no need. Unfortunately watermakers do not really seem to scale down very well

The problem with 12v is you can go energy recovery or not. Energy recovery units are expensive, complicated and prone to wear out. None energy recovery units are simpler but pull lots of amps at 12v but they are cheaper.
Even with lithium batteries you still need to put the power back in. Whichever way you go, 12v can't compete with 220v for simplicity/reliability. In the Tropics 12v Motors run hot. Additional fans to help cool the motors can help. We only usually run our watermaker for 15 mins per day and make all our water needs. Super convenient. I get the desire for 12v run from solar but in reality I don't believe its all it's cracked up to be. I am sure others will be along to tell you how wonderful it is but that wasn't my experience or that of friends that we have who opted for a low output 12v unit

 

[Stingo]

I'll second what @geem says in #18

 

[Kelpie]

The problem with 12v is you can go energy recovery or not. Energy recovery units are expensive, complicated and prone to wear out. None energy recovery units are simpler but pull lots of amps at 12v but they are cheaper.
Even with lithium batteries you still need to put the power back in. Whichever way you go, 12v can't compete with 220v for simplicity/reliability. In the Tropics 12v Motors run hot. Additional fans to help cool the motors can help. We only usually run our watermaker for 15 mins per day and make all our water needs. Super convenient. I get the desire for 12v run from solar but in reality I don't believe its all it's cracked up to be. I am sure others will be along to tell you how wonderful it is but that wasn't my experience or that of friends that we have who opted for a low output 12v unit

That's food for thought, thanks.
I wouldn't have to run on 12v direct- we already have a 3kw inverter for the galley.
We would be running from solar no matter what, but it doesn't really make any difference what the working voltage is. I'd have generally preferred 12v for efficiency, all else being equal, but it sounds like all else is not equal...