rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
I also made my own and there are lots of plans here
https://www.google.co.za/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=skKnVt-lBeOo8weMiYroBw#q=water+maker+plans
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Water Maker?
- Thread starter KAL
- Start date
I also made my own and there are lots of plans here
https://www.google.co.za/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=skKnVt-lBeOo8weMiYroBw#q=water+maker+plans
KAL
Well-Known Member
Thanks Rogershaw.
geem
Well-Known Member
I also made my own and there are lots of plans here
https://www.google.co.za/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=skKnVt-lBeOo8weMiYroBw#q=water+maker+plans
The diagram is basically the set up I have with a few minor modifications. We don't have a vacuum gauge. We have two clear 10 inch prefilter units so we can see the muck on the filters. We don't have a brine/ bucket selection valve. I just take the pipe off to run in to a bucket when I pickle the unit. This only happens at the end of the season.
Apart from that it's the same.
If you don't have a generator installation my preference would be to go for an engine driven cat pump on a electromagnetic clutch. I would go for two 40inch membranes because you can the make about 175 litres per hour with this set up. It would mean very little engine run time.
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
Mine is also slightly different but the principal is the same. I do have 2 separate water tanks so I have a 3 way valve on the output so I can divert to either tank plus a test tap at my galley sink.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Home made water maker :
https://sublimesustenance.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/how-to-build-your-own-watermaker.pdf
https://sublimesustenance.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/how-to-build-your-own-watermaker.pdf
jamiepyoung
Well-Known Member
I'm putting a list of components together to see how much it would cost to build a watermaker.
I'm thinking of engine driven, with a simple lever to disengage the pump, rather than a electromagnetic clutch.
Regarding the pump, would something like this be suitable:http://www.allpumpsdirect.co.uk/interpump-w140m-44-series-triplex-male-shaft-plunger-pressure-pump
I'm thinking of engine driven, with a simple lever to disengage the pump, rather than a electromagnetic clutch.
Regarding the pump, would something like this be suitable:http://www.allpumpsdirect.co.uk/interpump-w140m-44-series-triplex-male-shaft-plunger-pressure-pump
pyrojames
Well-Known Member
I used an electro mag clutch, bought for next to nothing on eBay from a car AC unit. I found a cat pump at a military surplus site for £300. Definitely a bargain.
geem
Well-Known Member
Well oversized!
Mine uses a 1.5kw motor and flows 13.6 l/m. I have a Cat 247. I bought them for between £50-100 off eBay. I carry a spare and have another at home
MW2
New Member
Hi
We have a water maker on our Jeanneau 50 and it is one of the best bits of kit on the boat. I come from a background of reverse osmosis for industrial applications so we went down the KISS route - keep it simple stupid. There is nothing complicated about a water maker, they can easily be put together by a cruiser. The key to any system is making sure the water reaching the high pressure pumps is as clean as possible. This means making sure your pre filters are good. The final pre filter is 5 microns- thats 0.005 of a mm. Do not think you can wash them out as the human eye cannot really see is 0.1mm.
The cheapest high pressure pump is a CAT pump - the downside is they are a bit noisy and need oil. The best pump from an industry point of view is a Danfoss pumps APP pump. It uses the sea water as lubricant and they have an 8000hr service life. CAT pumps need their oil changing about every 150 hours and they get hot.
Make sure when you put the control together you use standard industrial parts that you can buy from any electrical wholesaler - they are robust and well priced. We make water everywhere, the inlet port is under the boat so any oils float on the surface. The membranes take everything out so the water quality is excellent.
You can budget on about £3,000.00 to install yourself using a CAT pump or £3,800.00 using a danfoss APP.
Most of the fellow cruisers who appear to have issues are normally electrical issues or seal issues- eliminate these by keeping it simple and you can build a really reliable bit of kit. The key though as mentioned earlier is protect the pump by looking after the fiilters.
We have a water maker on our Jeanneau 50 and it is one of the best bits of kit on the boat. I come from a background of reverse osmosis for industrial applications so we went down the KISS route - keep it simple stupid. There is nothing complicated about a water maker, they can easily be put together by a cruiser. The key to any system is making sure the water reaching the high pressure pumps is as clean as possible. This means making sure your pre filters are good. The final pre filter is 5 microns- thats 0.005 of a mm. Do not think you can wash them out as the human eye cannot really see is 0.1mm.
The cheapest high pressure pump is a CAT pump - the downside is they are a bit noisy and need oil. The best pump from an industry point of view is a Danfoss pumps APP pump. It uses the sea water as lubricant and they have an 8000hr service life. CAT pumps need their oil changing about every 150 hours and they get hot.
Make sure when you put the control together you use standard industrial parts that you can buy from any electrical wholesaler - they are robust and well priced. We make water everywhere, the inlet port is under the boat so any oils float on the surface. The membranes take everything out so the water quality is excellent.
You can budget on about £3,000.00 to install yourself using a CAT pump or £3,800.00 using a danfoss APP.
Most of the fellow cruisers who appear to have issues are normally electrical issues or seal issues- eliminate these by keeping it simple and you can build a really reliable bit of kit. The key though as mentioned earlier is protect the pump by looking after the fiilters.