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From: Richard Bradshaw (no email)
Date: Sun Mar 19 2006 - 10:40:01 EST
At 7:51 AM +0000 03/19/2006, Len den Besten wrote:
>- Before you choose a make/model, first look at the way you want to
>power the watermaker and the GPH you want. You will be using it every
>x days so it won't have to be pickled. This is especially relevant
>when you are away from shore-power a lot.
Power will be via battery recharged by solar panels, wind generator,
and last and hopefully least engine alternator.
Would like to run the power as little as possible. Low ah/day usage
is better than high ah/day usage. figure 20 gal/day is max for any
number of people we would have on board. For just ourselves, likely
less than 10 gal/day and perhaps only about 5 gal/day.
>- when you use a 110/220v generator you might as well forget the 12v
>machines. Choose a 3 fase motor. When your generator is relatively
>small you can use a frequency-regulator to start the motor smoothly so
>you won't strangle your generator with a high starting current.
Don't/won't have a genset. Doing our best to become less dependent of
the diesel and expensive fuel.
>- when you use the diesel to charge batteries every x days you could
>choose a model that gives you the right amount needed for x days and
>choose a belt driven HP pump. Choose the capacity of pump and
>membranes in such a way that you will be finished charging and
>watermaking in appr. the same time.
So far, the Spectra unit seems to answer the size/capacity/power
requirements best.
>- the machines that re-use the power of the brine-exit are quite
>sensitive. A lot of users report mechanical failure on that part.
>Pity cause it sure lessens the power needed.
Usually, the less you use something the better it is or the less that
something is used the longer it lasts. Sounds like this is one of the
cases that that isn't true.
>- depending on your diy abilities, you could consider building your
>own; a garantee for being able to repair it in remote places. It's no
>rocketscience to put a HP pump, a few pressure vessels and a
>backpressure valve together. Glenn Ashmore put a lot of good info on
>his site :
>http://www.rutuonline.com/html/watermaker.html
>Also Good Old Boat had a good article about it. When you want I can
>send you a copy.
I will take a look at this URL. What issue of Good Old Boat was it? I
may still have that issue although back issues of magazines are one
thing that is beginning to depart the scene.
>It would be interesting if anyone in this group built his own and
>would be willing to share his present knowledge and experience.
Yes.
>Fair winds,
>Len.
Rick
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