Water Maker Question, 2nd Thread

rnbenton

rnbenton

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The other thread was getting a bit lengthy so I will pose my question in this new one.

I have read all of the input from the other thread, which I really appreciate, and have picked up some very good information.

I have also down loaded owners manuels for several different makes and models of water makers. Because of space, I am looking at modular units.

I've looked at these things until I'm blue in the face and, with a few variances, they're all pretty much the same. In fact, most of them use the same components.

Thus my question; I have looked at these various components (as listed in the parts lists in the owners manuels) and priced them separately from a few different web sites and it looks to me, unless I'm really missing something here, I can buy the parts and assemble/install my own water maker for a LOT less money than buying a complete unit from a manufacturer. Not only that, I can tailor the system to exactly what I want/need.

Am I missing something here?

Bob
 
Bob,

Sorry to be a cross-poster, but I have a comment to your question. Yes, you can certainly assemble your own watermaker. My cousin owns a residential water treatment company, but is also a boater. He has built a number of watermakers over the years for friends. This way you can customize exactly to your needs.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

Bob,

Sorry to be a cross-poster, but I have a comment to your question. Yes, you can certainly assemble your own watermaker. My cousin owns a residential water treatment company, but is also a boater. He has built a number of watermakers over the years for friends. This way you can customize exactly to your needs.

Click to expand...


Thanks, cross posting is what I want. Two different questions and thought processes.

Bob
 
"In fact, most of them use the same components."

As I pointed out in the other thread. So yes, you can build you're own system. And you can use a simple spring type timer and solenoid valve to make your fresh water flush system.

Others have done it.

http://www.svdaydreamer.com/Watermaker.htm Also Google the Cruisers Forum.

And some people have even used a pressure washer pump as their high pressure pump.
 
I too wondered about the pump because it sure does look like a pressure washer pump but in every other application I have seen anything used in a consumable application required very different materials than what was used in non consumable applications. I too have read the tales of ginned up watermakers but have no idea whether they would be really safe.
 
If you do a search on Ebay for watermaker, you will find many plans for making your own for $10 or so. I haven't looked at them, but if they also include a parts and supplier list they may be worth the 10 bucks.
 
I too been thinking of this for a couple of years...

How do I post a PDF file for DIY watermaker that I found ??
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edgar

I too been thinking of this for a couple of years...

How do I post a PDF file for DIY watermaker that I found ??

Click to expand...


Email it to me. Email address is in my profile.

Bob
 
You can build your own. I wanted the safety of a system with monitors and preventatives put in place to minimize contamination/germs. Have you ever gotten a case of food poisoning? I wouldn't even want to think about having it on a boat at sea or in a foreign port.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

You can build your own. I wanted the safety of a system with monitors and preventatives put in place to minimize contamination/germs. Have you ever gotten a case of food poisoning? I wouldn't even want to think about having it on a boat at sea or in a foreign port.
Bill

Click to expand...


Bill, other than the dual pre-filters and membrane what preventatives do you have? Do you have a UV treatment module?

Bob
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

You can build your own. I wanted the safety of a system with monitors and preventatives put in place to minimize contamination/germs. Have you ever gotten a case of food poisoning? I wouldn't even want to think about having it on a boat at sea or in a foreign port.
Bill

Click to expand...


The chances of getting E-coli poisoning from your watermaker are very, very low. And about the only thing that is going to come close to eliminating that chance would be installing a UV light down stream of your fresh water pump.

Which you can add to any home made system as easily as a factory system I would think.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

You can build your own. I wanted the safety of a system with monitors and preventatives put in place to minimize contamination/germs. Have you ever gotten a case of food poisoning? I wouldn't even want to think about having it on a boat at sea or in a foreign port.
Bill

Click to expand...
And about the only thing that is going to come close to eliminating that chance would be installing a UV light down stream of your fresh water pump.

Which you can add to any home made system as easily as a factory system I would think.

Click to expand...


But, as far as I know, all the UV modules are 120v. Are there any 12v modules?

Bob
 
Bob having installed a 12v water maker, I question installing any 12v appliance that will be running all the time. As I found the UV stuff ran continuously.
 
The UV light could be set up to only come on when the water flows.

Also make sure the lights flow rate matches your pumps flow rate.

The Z-Brane is not a UV light from what I've read. And it's installed in the membrane itself I believe isn't it Bill?
 
If I wanted to build my own water maker, I would pull up to the dock in Seahawk215's back yard with a cold case of beer and discuss the project. He is much smarter than most any of us when it comes to water making.
 
UV lights are indeed a very good addition, although you may as well put in in the fresh water circuit to treat everything out of the tank, not just the WM output.

Edgar, if you want to email me the PDF, I'll upload it on my site and will post the link. or maybe Les can put it on BE somwhere, tghat would make more sense.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

UV lights are indeed a very good addition, although you may as well put in in the fresh water circuit to treat everything out of the tank, not just the WM output.
Click to expand...


From what I've read that is exactly what is recommended; install it down stream from the pressure pump.

Also, from what I've read, it probably should be left on all or most of the time. Turning it off and on greatly shortens the life span of the bulb plus it takes it a couple of minutes to "heat up" and get to full brightness.

At least this is what I have read so far. But, I am still digging.

Follow up question: Why not install a submersable UV tube inside the water tank itself and treat all the water all the time wheather from the WM or not? Are there any downsides to this?

Bob
 
I guess it would depend on how powerful the light is and how big the tank is as to whether the light would penetrate at a powerful enough level through out the tank to kill all the germs. And you could still have bacteria build up down stream of the tank.

But the reality is many, if not most, boats with water makers(not to mention all those without)do not have UV lights. And people are not getting sick from drinking the water. :-)
 
If cost is a factor as it always is with me you may want to build a very simple system without all the bells and whistles that the manufactures do. When I bought mine I was actually buying it to use the parts to do exactly that. Then I just decided to rebuild the unit as everything was in working order. The most cost effective way to disinfect your water would be to use regular bleach. Very simple and cheap. Get a chlorine test kit from a swimming pool supply store and you will quickly learn how much to add to your tank. I usually just put in a cap full. I don’t drink the water from my tank though, as my system has a two tank switch and I just fill up a couple gallon jugs from the tank that is not plumed into the water tank to use in the coffee maker and drinking. As already discussed you don’t need to flush the system if you are using it on a daily basis. I flush mine when I return home after a trip. When I get back I make enough water from the system to flush it 10 or 15 gallons in 5 gallon jugs. Since my unit uses a separate tank to flush and is done manually by sticking the hose in the jug and turning the switch to flush I do it when I return home. Then I usually pickle the system as I probably won’t use it again for about six months anyway. The main reason I like the separate tank for flushing the system is I don’t have to worry about chlorinated water damaging the membrane no charcoal filters to buy extra cost, etc. I only use the water maker when I go on trips that will be a few days at a time so if going fishing or just a stay overnight I fill my tank with city water. No worries with separate tank flushing.
 
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