Anyone have a water maker installed?

ttmott

ttmott

PhD in OCD
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TECHNICAL Contributor
Apr 3, 2012
8,162
Space Coast Florida
Boat Info
2006 52 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSM11
Like most who travel to remote locations water conservation is one of the primary concerns. With that said hot showers every morning is something that makes a trip even more comfortable. So we are going to add a water maker this spring; probably around the 150 gallon per day size. These days there has to be hundreds available and even do-it-yourself kits.
So if you have one or have experience, or are planning to add one help us out with what you know and recommend...
Thanks!
 
I have one made by Village Marine which Racor has purchased. Mine produces around 5-6 gallons per hour and is a small unit. Larger unit require quite a bit of space. Hooking one up is not all that difficult depending on how mechanical you are, through hole for water feed, lift pump, high pressure pump set of filter and done. Some of them are in there own cabinet kind of thing which makes is easier but you need the space to do so. AND they have to be run just like anything else, if you don't use it regularly it will not work for trips to the Bahamas. Now for the real kicker, price. I didn't buy mine as it was with the boat when I got it. Even though mine is small, all pieces are separate, it cost about $3k. Not worth it in my opinion unless you use it continuously. Even in the Bahamas you can't justify that price even with $.45/gallon water. BUT, if you don't have any on the hook, then it is nice to have the ability to make water. Would I add one on my boat if I didn't have this one, no.
 
I don't have one for a number of reasons, mostly related to my primary cruising geography. If I were to install one, it would be closer to 1000 gpd than 150. These things tend to be loud and you don't want to be running them 24/7. Think about how much water you use at one time and then how long you run the genset each day. We run the genny about 4-6 hours per day on the hook, and use 30 gallons per person per day.
 
I just installed one. I thought about it for a few years before doing it. Mostly because of the fact that as was mentioned, you need to run it. We probably won't use it all that often, but when we do, it will be great to have.

Mine is a DIY install, there is really not much to it, a through hull for the water pickup, a lift pump to feed it through the pre-filters, then a high pressure pump to pump the filtered water through the RO membrane.

Mine isn't very loud, and by doing it the way I did, rather than buying a 'box' water maker, I was able to tuck all the pieces out of the way.

I can make between 500~700 gallons per day, depending on salinity, temperature, settings, etc.

I also included an auto-flush feature, which is the main reason I went ahead with the install. It will automatically run fresh water through the system every couple of days to keep everything clean and ready to go.
 
I've seen Greg's setup and I liked it a lot. I'm seriously considering on adding the WM on my boat as well.
 
Consider your electrical capacity when planning a water maker install. If you will need your generator for its operation, the power requirements may limit the size/make you can install. They do use a lot of power.

I can also second Tom's comment that you must use them for them to function properly. This isn't just the old boat adage of "use it or repair it" either. The various stages of filtration cause a lot of water in various stages of cleanliness to be help in the system and it if sits idle for a period, you will have to change all the filtering media to get it going again. I help a friend with a 55 Viking Conv. and it has a 1500 GPD water maker onboard and my experience with it makes me not the least bit interested in a water maker on my boat.
 
Thanks for the alert, Frank. If I recall Greg's system uses about 8amp. You're absolutely correct, this would be another item that would require managing the load properly. Oh boy, this makes me alter my must have list for the next boat, which has to be a 240VAC. I'm getting tired with lack of power on 120VAC boats.

I have one spare slot, which I was planning to use for oil pan heaters. So, as usual you hit the nail on the head and would have to do some serious thinking before committing to the water maker project.
 
We have several friends who have larger sailboats and it's all about counting electrons for their energy consumption; it's an obsession with them which, I admit, could take a few lessons from. They all have generators but they'll do just about anything to minimize the run time; massive battery banks, wind generators, solar panels, huge alternators on the auxiliary engine, etc. Without exception they all have larger water makers with the thought to minimize generator run time. Much of my desire to have a water maker stems from these folks and the utility they gain. The apples and oranges is they are literally away for months at a time whereas we are weeks; for us it's a comfort issue not a necessity. There is care and feeding with owning a water maker which is not unlike any other system on our style of boats; they need to be cleaned and flushed and if unused for more than a couple of weeks disinfected (pickled).
As far as available generator wattage it'll be a load share/shed evaluation when the water maker needs to be run.

Greg, I like the idea of the auto-flush; was that an over the counter thing you added or something you built?
 
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In 2006 I got a Village Marine 650 gallon per day unit installed. It has 3 cyenders. I chose it because the US Navy and Coast Guard have them. Figure either VM had a good sales person or the government felt they were the best. I had one problem. A $170 solenoid valve went. VM teck support is very good. When I described the problem they knew what was wrong. I order the valve put it in and all is fine. Ours is compact and is about 2 feet long 12" high and 15" deep. It runs on 120 volt and we run it for 1 to 2 hours a day. The water quality is fine. It is 100% automatic with a remote start stop station just above the electric panel. We do not adjust any thing on it. When we leave it in the fall we run a pickling cartrage through it and the unit is good in the spring when we put it back into service. We paid 5000 for it in 2006. We have met other with units by different manufactures and they are not 100% satified. Walk the docks and talk to those with various types. I would buy an other VM. We probably make 2 to 3 thousand gallons a year.
 
ttmott said:
Greg, I like the idea of the auto-flush; was that an over the counter thing you added or something you built?
Click to expand...

Just a digital timer that I bought, wired to a relay and a solenoid. The solenoid opens up the fresh water supply, the relay turns on the lift pump to supply water to the membrane.

The fresh water also runs through a carbon filter to strip any chlorine from the water as that will damage the membrane.
 
Hi Greg, which brand do you have? How much did your system cost? Im seriously thinking of installing one on our 400db. Thanks.

Lit
 
swordfisherman said:
Hi Greg, which brand do you have? How much did your system cost? Im seriously thinking of installing one on our 400db. Thanks.

Lit
Click to expand...

Hey Greg, im new here so wont seem familiar, but im also looking at a water maker now that i have the 440 express bridge.
I like the idea of separate units as it makes installation easier, and if one part goes bad its an easier fix.
Also since i work overseas on a 28days on 28 days off schedule, I would love to have a system that runs itself for a few minutes every few days while im away.

thanks
No Fuss :)
 
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