Water Maker Scaling up with generic of the shelf parts.

[GregOddity]

Ok I’ve been looking at this thing for some time and I think I can scale it up BUT I’m just leaving it out here to see what you all say about scaling it up to 25L or 45 L per hour.
Consumables are generic at $3 to $5 per filter as opposed to proprietary filters at £50 a pop. Expensive coal...

to save some from their own self’s.. it does need a pump for pressure.

Feasible?


£169

https://www.osmiowater.co.uk/osmio-black-line-ec-107-non-pumped-7-stage-reverse-osmosis-system.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIztCPrcuN3AIVFp7VCh3ASgcBEAkYAyABEgJ6f_D_BwE

 

[noelex]

If you want to convert salt water into fresh water it will not work.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Two things flash through my sceptical brain, 1st will it cope with more than 5 bar pressure, I doubt it looking at the fittings, 2nd will it cope with salt water? and 3rd just as a bonus this should be well down your list of priorities if you have one.

 

[GregOddity]

If you want to convert salt water into fresh water it will not work.

Therefore, me asking if its feasible to alter and scale up. You do need higher pressure and different filters but the principle is the same. Apply a pressure of 55 to 65 bar to the water to force it through the membrane.

 

[GregOddity]

Two things flash through my sceptical brain, 1st will it cope with more than 5 bar pressure, I doubt it looking at the fittings, 2nd will it cope with salt water? and 3rd just as a bonus this should be well down your list of priorities if you have one.

I don’t think this model would cope with anything above 12 Bar, those fittings are probably rated 22 bar but start going at 12. the pipes would not and the casings would make a funny and wet pop. But I do like the design and was thinking of making something like that. VERY HIGH on my priority list.

 

[GregOddity]

the components are not too difficult to obtain.
70 Bar rated pump
£265.32 Inc VAT

http://www.malcleanse.co.uk/interpump-70-bar-11-lpm-pressure-washer-pump-w70-p-4274.html

 

[noelex]

Therefore, me asking if its feasible to alter and scale up. You do need higher pressure and different filters but the principle is the same. Apply a pressure of 55 to 65 bar to the water to force it through the membrane.

The only parts that would be usable would be the prefilters and these are cheap to purchase.

You can assemble a watermaker from generic parts and save some money, but they need to be parts suitable for the much higher pressure to convert salt to fresh water rather than parts designed for the lower pressure which is used to purify fresh water.

 

[GregOddity]

The only parts that would be usable would be the prefilters and these are cheap to purchase.

You can assemble a watermaker from generic parts and save some money, but they need to be parts suitable for the much higher pressure to convert salt to fresh water rather than parts designed for the lower pressure which is used to purify fresh water.

I just happened to be browsing through a catalogue of new servo motors with permanent magnet to make a bow thruster when I realised that some pumps are really cheap as compared to a few years ago. And the motors as well. For the price of a Lewmar motor you can make a bow thruster with even precision controls.
I’m just theorizing at the moment. Not yet actively planning.
And you’re right, the parts need to be rated at least 100 Bar.

 

[noelex]

I’m just theorizing at the moment. Not yet actively planning.
And you’re right, the parts need to be rated at least 100 Bar.

Glad you did not waste your money. Don't give up on making your own water maker it is doable.

However, you need to do a great deal of research to avoid ending up with some parts that are not compatible. It only takes a couple of mistakes like this to result in the project costing more than some of the cheaper commercial units.

The second thing to check is that you have the power to drive the watermaker. Even a small home made unit will need typically something around 70A @12v.

There are energy recovery water makers and these use much less power (as low as 9A with still reasonable production) but it is not possible to design and construct this type of watermaker yourself.

 

[dgadee]

Take a look at Cruise RO watermaker site. Useful YouTube intros and information on what's workable.

 

[GregOddity]

Glad you did not waste your money. Don't give up on making your own water maker it is doable.

However, you need to do a great deal of research to avoid ending up with some parts that are not compatible. It only takes a couple of mistakes like this to result in the project costing more than some of the cheaper commercial units.

The second thing to check is that you have the power to drive the watermaker. Even a small home made unit will need typically something around 70A @12v.

There are energy recovery water makers and these use much less power (as low as 9A with still reasonable production) but it is not possible to design and construct this type of watermaker yourself.

Hehe I sadly learned that lesson the hard way in my youth. This days I research it to smithereens before I buy a simple screw. I do have the advantage of my brother and a couple of colleagues that can fill my knowledge voids in some areas. They are always the first to laugh ..er .. help when I miscalculate some circuit. I would NEVER do that to them offffff course.
I have been looking at those energy recovery water makers, at first glance I think I could build one to test but here’s the conundrum, for that you need to build a prototype and there goes the price. A small alteration and you’re back to the drawing board and over the price of a commercial unit.

 

[GregOddity]

Take a look at Cruise RO watermaker site. Useful YouTube intros and information on what's workable.

I been meaning to but got sidetracked, thanks for reminding me.

 

[sailaboutvic]

There a few of us that build our own water makers here , chris jones for one , me and a couple of more I know , our run of 230v using a 1.5 ph motor and a Cat pump , cost round £1000 to build just over 15 months ago and give us around 80 lts PH , as Nolex said , don't wast your money on that .
Some have tried to save a few bob by using a pressure washer pump , everyone I know who has ended up buy a cat pump , pressure washers pump are not ment to run for long period of time .

 

[geem]

There a few of us that build our own water makers here , chris jones for one , me and a couple of more I know , our run of 230v using a 1.5 ph motor and a Cat pump , cost round £1000 to build just over 15 months ago and give us around 80 lts PH , as Nolex said , don't wast your money on that .

Hi Vic, I am one of the others who built his own. Finally got around to adding another 40" membrane to me system. Now running two 40" and one 21" membranes. We get 200 l/hr now for the same 1.5kw motor load. A lot less generator run time and long showers

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hi Vic, I am one of the others who built his own. Finally got around to adding another 40" membrane to me system. Now running two 40" and one 21" membranes. We get 200 l/hr now for the same 1.5kw motor load. A lot less generator run time and long showers

Yes I know you did so your self ,for one min I went brain die and just couldn't remember your user name . Woo 200 LPH , well done , we still only using one 40 ins , we run it every other day for an hour , unless it's washing day or deck wash day .
We using one 20 mico and one five mico per filter and we seen to get through most of the season without changing but we met someone the other day who changing them ever three months , any tho ? Although we only make water on way and don't unless have to make it at anchor .

 

[GregOddity]

There a few of us that build our own water makers here , chris jones for one , me and a couple of more I know , our run of 230v using a 1.5 ph motor and a Cat pump , cost round £1000 to build just over 15 months ago and give us around 80 lts PH , as Nolex said , don't wast your money on that .
Some have tried to save a few bob by using a pressure washer pump , everyone I know who has ended up buy a cat pump , pressure washers pump are not ment to run for long period of time .

Hi Vic, I am one of the others who built his own. Finally got around to adding another 40" membrane to me system. Now running two 40" and one 21" membranes. We get 200 l/hr now for the same 1.5kw motor load. A lot less generator run time and long showers

Yes I know you did so your self ,for one min I went brain die and just couldn't remember your user name . Woo 200 LPH , well done , we still only using one 40 ins , we run it every other day for an hour , unless it's washing day or deck wash day .
We using one 20 mico and one five mico per filter and we seen to get through most of the season without changing but we met someone the other day who changing them ever three months , any tho ? Although we only make water on way and don't unless have to make it at anchor .

200L it’s a hell off a good number.
I been meaning to join your club, but sadly did not have the time to do proper research. I’m looking into around 70L to 80L an hour at first glance. But depending on system and advantages v dis. I may want to scale up or down.

 

[GregOddity]

Out of curiosity, do you flush the system after use with fresh water to kill anything in it?

 

[sailaboutvic]

200L it’s a hell off a good number.
I been meaning to join your club, but sadly did not have the time to do proper research. I’m looking into around 70L to 80L an hour at first glance. But depending on system and advantages v dis. I may want to scale up or down.

A 40ins membrane and a cat pump that will easily give you 800psi will give you the 70/80LPH its how you going to run it is the question , if you have a generator you can run it with a 1.5HP motor or you can have a pulley made up and run it of your engine ,
I sure Geem has a pulley of is engine , not 100% sure . He also has a gen set has I do .
£1000 can buy you a lot on water , but now we have one I wouldn't want to be without one , the cost of making it is nothing , we only every used bottle water for drinking , what a six pack cost we can make 150 lts and it's much better drinking water .

 

[sailaboutvic]

Out of curiosity, do you flush the system after use with fresh water to kill anything in it?

Yes it's flush out every time with water we just made .

 

[GregOddity]

A 40ins membrane and a cat pump that will easily give you 800psi will give you the 70/80LPH its how you going to run it is the question , if you have a generator you can run it with a 1.5HP motor or you can have a pulley made up and run it of your engine ,
I sure Geen has a pulley of is engine , not 100% sure . He also has a gen set has I do .
£1000 can buy you a lot on water , but now we have one I wouldn't want to be without one , the cost of making it is nothing , we only every used bottle water for drinking , what a six pack cost we can make 150 lts and it's much better drinking water .

The first thing we decided for Oddity was that Water maker was a priority. I may not have decided on which but as soon as I have a bit of time available that is where I’m going. I have a somewhat weaker gen set. 750 so I’ve been looking for a bigger one, but as we decided to go diesel electric propulsion I’m thinking of using the one I have as emergency gen and using engine to run water maker.