Tecnicomar Oasi 60 Watermaker

[Nigelpickin]

We are very close to ordering this for our boat and rather that checking after the fact of purchase, (as I did with the underwater lights), I thought that now would be a good time to see if anyone has experience with the model?

We just want a unit that will tick over on 24v while we are underway between anchorages, (especially for our river trip next season). We don't want to break any lph records, just have enough output to compensate for Ann's 3 x 10 minute showers per day.

It also needs to be small as our boat is running out of space in which to fit such a device.

I imagine that its a unit suited to sailing boats more that motor boats....any thoughts welcome. Oh and it will come in at well under 10k fitted and thats a consideration for us.
Many thanks

 

[jfm]

I would be a bit careful on this as there is some risk of false economy. If it checks out ok on these things, then fine.

1. The standard spec seems light on filters. Will they upsell you after you have placed the order? Mine has coarse filter on incoming seawater, oil separator on incoming water, carbon filter for made water, carbon filter for backflush water (because chlorine in dockside tap water kills the membrane). Your machine doesn't seem to have all these.
2. Water makers do need professional fixes now and again. Is the brand well supported by a dealer network?
3. In med water you will not get the LPH claimed. You should get it at 35k ppm of salt, which I think is roughly the atlantic, but you won't get that in the med. I work on an assumption of getting 80% of nominal production in the Med
4. This machine uses a hydraulic amplifier to get the required pressure. That's ok to an extent, but I shudder a bit. It is an extra thing to go wrong: it works by reciprocating a pair of hydraulic cylinders, quite fast I'd guess from the fact the brochure shows a pressure reservoir to de-pulsate the water, so that is a LOT of left-right cycles for rubber lip seals immersed in saltwater. You've got to believe that needs a new seals service every so often. Other typical applications of this type of amplifier see MUCH lower duty cycles (left-right strokes of the two cylinders). Maybe it is not totally crazy but I think I'd prefer the more normal solution of just a high pressure bronze pump that will be uber reliable and last 10k hours
5. the remote control panel and auto backflush with filter are 100% necessary imho, but they are not in the standard spec. Beware if these are premium priced so that the total package isn't as cheap as it first appears.
6. I'd study very hard whether a HRO mini 350 wouldn't be a better purchase. That includes most of what you want as standard spec and deals with 1,2,4,5 above.
7. The claim of lower power consumption is very surprising but it is in the numbers: they claim 20 amps at 24v whereas the HRO mini 350 draws 6.2 amps at 230v, = say 60 amps at 24v, which is 3 times as much energy consumption. I find that incredibly surprising but that's what their data claims

Good luck!

 

[Sandyman]

1) Anne needs to learn water conservation & limit to 3 times 2 minute showers.............or less

2) Have constructed self build watermakers & fitted many. Make sure of availability of spares & prices.

3) Learn to maintain it yourself.

4) Cock it up & you wont have to put salt on your tatties

 

[Nigelpickin]

Thanks John, as usual!