[PUP] watermaker

[Robert STRAGHAN]

I too am pondering the watermaker question.

My new boat has an optional Village Marine Little Wonder 200 gal/day and the
upgrade to a modular "no frills" system is 3800.00 over the cost of the 200
gal unit. A couple of issues under consideration

24V @ 9A VS 220V @ 8A?
The 200 gal unit is available in either voltage at the same cost. 600 gal unit
is 220V only.
My current thought is to go 24V so as not to be limited in running the
watermaker only when the genset is running. I have 240A of charging
capability, 2 x 140A alternators on the main, and dual 3Kw inverters so genset
run time will be minimal while at anchor. Battery bank is 800 AHrs @ 24V. When
running the main engine electricity from the big alternators is not a
problem.

200 gal VS 600 gal
Note these are ideal production figures and may not be achieved.
Tankage is only 200 gal, and my wife can go through water like no other. Heads
are fresh water only, and there is no salt water at the sinks. If more than
just the two of us on board at anchor then perhaps the 200 gal unit would not
do the job running 24/7. OTOH the 600 gal unit requires the genset and will
make 25 gal for each hour of genset run time, or perhaps 50 gal day max. when
using the gennie to charge the batteries at anchor.

I am leaning towards the 200 gal unit in 24V but would appreciate input from
those with some experience in these thingies.

Robert

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