Over the past several months, we have been trying to improve our trawler's ability to run without help from land. Before long, we wish to be traveling to the Bahamas where being self-sufficient is a necessity. To begin with there was an inverter, now we have installed a water maker.
Today's water makers utilize a reasonable amount of energy to change undrinkable salt water into clean fresh water. A well-constructed, well maintained water maker will significantly improve comfort while traveling. A water maker is a piece of equipment that requires a little upkeep for its constant functionality. But when you become familiar with the function of the piece of equipment, make use of it often and maintain it in proper operable order, a water maker is in fact an amazing piece of equipment.
Why Would You Need A Water Maker?
There are several reasons to contemplate installing a water maker on board your yacht.
1.It will lessen your vessel's weight and enhance performance given that you don't have to top off the water tanks. It is a worthwhile endeavor as 50 gallons of water weighs over 400 lbs.
2.Water makers will expand your range of cruising. Not having to plan your passage around water refills means more alternatives for choosing your itinerary.
3.It will save you cash in ports where sanitary water can be awfully costly. Numerous Bahamian ports charge up to $.25 per gallon, which equates to $75.00 for our 300-gallon tank.
4.They will supply a protected water source on your trawler, particularly in parts of the world where the water condition is questionable. This helps you keep away from health risks that can be located in dirty water.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Reverse osmosis water makers make fresh water by putting salt water under pressure at about 800 psi and forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. Water molecules can pass through the membrane, but practically all other particles (salt, microorganisms, etc.) cannot pass through the film. The left over condensed salt water and contaminants, named as brine, are then discharged overboard and the fresh water is retained. It is a continuous process that changes 10% of the incoming seawater into fresh water. 90% of the incoming water is discharged
What Type Water Maker Is Best?
Other than the desired water yield, a crucial issue is how the watermaker will be driven, i.e. battery, 120V AC or driven by a belt from the motor. AC driven systems will need a generator to operate so their use is not best on smaller yachts. Belt driven systems require an engine to be functioning so they have issues as well. DC water makers are the top alternative on small vessels due to their smaller size and current pull. Our Katadyn 80 water maker uses about 8 amps when in use.
How Much Water Do You Really Need?
The World Health Organization recommends at least one quart or one liter of fresh water per person per day to sustain hydration. Clearly, that amount is for a survival situation, not cruising in the Bahamas. A fresh water consumption of two gallons per person per day is more practical, for ingesting, bathing and cooking. On our trawler, we have measured our daily use at roughly 10 gallons per day for two people; obviously, we don't throw away water but yet don't ration it either. Your water use will also depend on the sort of weather and the type of duties you carry out during the day. The level of perspiration when resting in the shading of the bimini is totally unlike that from scrubbing the decks. On a well-appointed vessel with a considerable water maker, a crew of 6 or 8 may use 100 gallons per day, taking hot showers and washing apparel. The outcome is that your water use can vary considerably based upon your daily life and your ability to make fresh drinking water. We opted to go with the 80 gallon per day component partially because of the space we had to install it.
Power Requirements
The greater the water production the greater the current pull. Using 10 gallons per person per day requires roughly 180 minutes of watermaker functionality for our PowerSurvivor 80E, equaling 24Ah of battery capacity use per day. You must plan accordingly to replenish those amp hours back into your battery.
Today's water makers utilize a reasonable amount of energy to change undrinkable salt water into clean fresh water. A well-constructed, well maintained water maker will significantly improve comfort while traveling. A water maker is a piece of equipment that requires a little upkeep for its constant functionality. But when you become familiar with the function of the piece of equipment, make use of it often and maintain it in proper operable order, a water maker is in fact an amazing piece of equipment.
Why Would You Need A Water Maker?
There are several reasons to contemplate installing a water maker on board your yacht.
1.It will lessen your vessel's weight and enhance performance given that you don't have to top off the water tanks. It is a worthwhile endeavor as 50 gallons of water weighs over 400 lbs.
2.Water makers will expand your range of cruising. Not having to plan your passage around water refills means more alternatives for choosing your itinerary.
3.It will save you cash in ports where sanitary water can be awfully costly. Numerous Bahamian ports charge up to $.25 per gallon, which equates to $75.00 for our 300-gallon tank.
4.They will supply a protected water source on your trawler, particularly in parts of the world where the water condition is questionable. This helps you keep away from health risks that can be located in dirty water.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Reverse osmosis water makers make fresh water by putting salt water under pressure at about 800 psi and forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. Water molecules can pass through the membrane, but practically all other particles (salt, microorganisms, etc.) cannot pass through the film. The left over condensed salt water and contaminants, named as brine, are then discharged overboard and the fresh water is retained. It is a continuous process that changes 10% of the incoming seawater into fresh water. 90% of the incoming water is discharged
What Type Water Maker Is Best?
Other than the desired water yield, a crucial issue is how the watermaker will be driven, i.e. battery, 120V AC or driven by a belt from the motor. AC driven systems will need a generator to operate so their use is not best on smaller yachts. Belt driven systems require an engine to be functioning so they have issues as well. DC water makers are the top alternative on small vessels due to their smaller size and current pull. Our Katadyn 80 water maker uses about 8 amps when in use.
How Much Water Do You Really Need?
The World Health Organization recommends at least one quart or one liter of fresh water per person per day to sustain hydration. Clearly, that amount is for a survival situation, not cruising in the Bahamas. A fresh water consumption of two gallons per person per day is more practical, for ingesting, bathing and cooking. On our trawler, we have measured our daily use at roughly 10 gallons per day for two people; obviously, we don't throw away water but yet don't ration it either. Your water use will also depend on the sort of weather and the type of duties you carry out during the day. The level of perspiration when resting in the shading of the bimini is totally unlike that from scrubbing the decks. On a well-appointed vessel with a considerable water maker, a crew of 6 or 8 may use 100 gallons per day, taking hot showers and washing apparel. The outcome is that your water use can vary considerably based upon your daily life and your ability to make fresh drinking water. We opted to go with the 80 gallon per day component partially because of the space we had to install it.
Power Requirements
The greater the water production the greater the current pull. Using 10 gallons per person per day requires roughly 180 minutes of watermaker functionality for our PowerSurvivor 80E, equaling 24Ah of battery capacity use per day. You must plan accordingly to replenish those amp hours back into your battery.
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