Paolo Zini wrote:

Only for my education....
I have read somewhere about "home made" watermakers... but I don't rember
where...
I have made my google homework... :-) No result.
Do you have any reference, link, info?
I am interested in one small, simple unit for a sailboat...

Tank you
Paolo

I have a couple of pages about the one I built on my site under the
"Systems" section. http://www.rutuonline.com/html/watermaker.html

It is not small (800GPD) but with a lot of research and a little
imaginative procurement it came out just a little over $2,500. Because
it is engine driven I had to add a speed interlock to protect the system
which added about $150. I went a little overboard adding a 3 button
remote controls with digital flow and pressure displays for the cockpit
and nav station, automatic flush and electronic TDS product diverter but
if you did a basic manual 800GPD system it could come out under $2K.

My sources were all in the US but you should be able to find the similar
equipment in the EU. You might get better prices on Sehan membranes
over there than Filmtec and Bekaert Composites housings may be easier to
get than A&M.

The key is to find a good deal on a stainless or nickel aluminum bronze
head pump. Grundfos makes a titanium head pump to die for but they are
very expensive. Ideally you want a 1200 PSI plunger pump with at least
seven times the desired product water flow . The more common 3000PSI
pressure washer pumps are not as efficient at the 800PSI an R/O system
operates at. Once you get the pump there is not a lot of difference in
cost (about $450) between a 400 and 800 GPD system.


--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com