After years of scrounging parts, re-building pumps, and designing a watermaker system we are making water (22GPH)!
If you were to go out and buy a system like this you would be looking at eight – ten grand for an off the shelf watermaker. Water makers are pretty simple. You need to push sea water through a membrane (filter) at 800PSI.
I’ve only used the best components in my system. I rebuilt a Cat pump (270) for the hi-pressure side of the system and installed a March (AC-5C-MD) pump on the lo-pressure side. Seawater is filtered through a sea-strainer, 20 micron, and 5 micron filter before entering the lo-pressure pump which feeds the Cat pump. The Cat pump is plumbed to a Spectra hi-pressure vessel containing the membrane, then to a needle valve which allows me to adjust the pressure inside of the vessel. I’m using an old village marine 
controller which gives me all the bells & whistles of a modern system. My controller is from 1981. It controls hi and low-pressure emergency shut off, has a salinity tester, and an electronic three-way valve which I’ve decided against using. A faulty valve whether new or old can fail and contaminate your tanks. I’m installing a manual valve that will divert the water from a small tap at the galley sink to the tank. Many cruisers build similar systems without a controller, and just use the needle valve with a PSi gauge.
We have about $2,200 into rebuilding this old system and it works like a champ. I decided to run the cat pump off-engine which many discourage against but I 
built an adjustable mount where the cat pump is floating on closed-cell foam off-engine. The mount takes up the vibration from the motor as planned and works perfectly!
I’m running the system at 800 PSI and producing about 22 gallons of beautiful fresh water an hour.
Splendid is a wreck as the new galley is going in and Carla and I are working hard. In a few days I’ll have the new counter, sink, and faucet installed. After that it’s off to refrigeration 101 and box building. I’m hoping to have, by June, a new refrigeration system, galley (including stove), and water maker system all buttoned up.
I’ll need to run some charters & backpackers to afford a haul-out and Panama canal transit. After that it’s back to the Pacific to focus on traveling instead of boat stuff. At the end of the day, Splendid was a task of immense proportion but will render a home that will travel the world in simple comfort.
Peace, Love, and fresh water!
– alex
AWESOME!
I’m amazed at the range of your skills. I also tinker around with boats, but a lot of the projects you tackle would have me spending more time in research than in implementation.
I’ve never used a water-maker myself, but I so often hear folks complaining about problems with them. Are you pretty confident that your system will rugged and reliable?
Bindlesef,
It was a monster of a project and called for mechanical skills, carpentry, fibraglass, electrical (12v & 110), and plumbing. As soon as I master refergeration in the next month (got some good books) ill really have a handle on Splendid. I don’t believe in having systems one does not understand as we become enslaved to them. When I was in the states I paid a refergeration guy $1,600 and my system worked for two months at which point I ripped it out of the boat and fed it to the dumpster.
I believe this water maker will be very reliable as I understand it and can fix every aspect of it. If my controller fails no worries either.
We made about 80 gallons today, 60 of which went to laundry. It’s been bone dry this last month and there is no water to be had ashore, luckily I have friends with water makers but we have been in major conservation mode:(
Peace
Ecellent! PEace and Cocnuts my brother!
Cool. Hey what happened to your latest DVD project?
Scott,
The DVD project is going well but it’s grown from a film to more of an online interactive film. We will be launching in a few months. The first thing I usually do during the day is give TMS (The Minimalist Sailor) attention before boat work. Usually it’s hard to pull myself away.
Wow sounds cool Alex to have your own watermaker up and running. I wish I could be there to help with the installation and see it my self. Keep up the good projects and we will be watching you. TL
Nice! You’ve worked hard for this one. You and Carla continue to amaze and entertain me. Love your work and the way your present it. Keep on choppin’, hackin’ and re-building… I learn a lot from your comments and construction.
Panacea is better for it. You have given me insights and sore muscles. Thanks.
My best to you two and stay strong and healthy.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Nice! You’ve worked hard for this one. You and Carla continue to amaze and entertain me. Love your work and the way your present it. Keep on choppin’, hackin’ and re-building… I learn a lot from your comments and construction.
Panacea is better for it. You have given me insights and sore muscles. Thanks.
My best to you two and stay strong and healthy.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Capt. Paul,
I’m glad to hear it. Ive been getting up and working every day like a dog. Not only do we have a water maker but new stainless counters, faucet, and a new stove on the way. I have all the parts for a my new refergeration system but supply money has dwindled and can’t afford foam and epoxy. So the new plan is we are buttoning up the projects and planning a trip to Cartagena (Colombia) in the next 3-6 weeks.
The rainy season has appeared. The trade winds have died and thunder and lightening have appeared.
Peace from panama.
I read somewhere that where you are is one of the worst places for lightning. Can you tell us what you have done to protect yourslef & your boat if anything? It seems like there are different thoughts on that. I know on the west coast of FL sometimes it can be ugly! I got caught out fishing once & it was very scary. We were close to a bridge & you could see it hitting the water as it came closer & we couldn`t run fast enough so we hid under the bridge & it hit the bridge & zapped all the lights above us,very scary. Sometimes things change so fast you can`t get out of the way & WOW I would HATE to be in a boat with a metal mast that gets hit!! One other thing, you guys live such a wonderfull life,where could you go for a honeymoon that is better than what you already have? Think about that.
Alex, remember Ampon, Panama where the lightning struck between Namaste, Contigo and Plan B? Mavis named Ampon the home of Kraken.
Butch,
Lightning is very active here during the rainy season. I have done what I can to make a big fairaday cage (spelling) by putting large cablees connected from the upper shrouds into the water.
As far as a honeymoon we are taking a few weeks to explore Patagonia with a little camper van thanks to Carla’s mom. Should be outstanding!!!!
Gary, Ido remember Ampon, what a blast !!!
Peace
Alex, remember Ampon, Panama where the lightning struck between Namaste, Contigo and Plan B? Mavis named Ampon the home of Kraken.
Why the double post? I hit enter and the first try failed due to all lower case? There was maybe a 10 seconds lapse and I typed in the code correctly. Sorry bout that….G
You have just graduated engineering 101.
Timtoolman,
Now it’s off to refergeration 101 :) I feel invincible with my tools. Wait till I post pictures of the new galley.
I’m looking for a used Bitzer IY, or IIY compressor and DC motor. Basically I want to find an old used Grunert DC system. I’m planning on having 2 systems. One built around my new MasterFlux compressor which will use an evaporator, and the Bitzer which will freeze down my holding plates.
My box is torn out and I’m building a new one with 5/6 inches of insulation.
Sorry I haven’t posted a blog in the last week Carla and I have been putting full days of work into Splendid.
Peace
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