Boat water makers are an essential piece of equipment for sailors who want to remain self-sufficient on extended voyages or in areas where potable water is not readily available.
This device is designed to convert saltwater into fresh drinking water. It also provides sailors with a reliable source of hydration while they are at sea. Let me explain the basic workings of a sail boat water maker and its components.
A sailboat water maker consists of several key components
- high-pressure pump
- reverse osmosis (RO) membrane
- control panel
- an energy source
The boat water makers high-pressure pump is responsible for generating the pressure required to force saltwater through the RO membrane, which filters out impurities and salt.
This is the water maker control panel on Britican. Recently, our gauge filled with water. Something’s wrong! Watch a video about our boat water maker problems here: Boat Maintenance
The control panel monitors and regulates the system, including the pump pressure and flow rate.
Finally, the energy source powers the system, typically either a 12V DC battery or an AC generator.
The reverse osmosis process begins when saltwater is drawn into the high-pressure pump. This is where it is pressurized to around 600 psi. The high pressure forces the water through the RO membrane, which has microscopic pores that are small enough to filter out impurities and salt.
The filtered water, now fresh drinking water, is then stored in a tank for use.
The water maker for sailboat also includes a number of safety features. This is done to ensure the reliability and longevity of the system.
For example, some models are equipped with automatic shut-off valves that stop the flow of water if the pressure becomes too high or if the water level in the tank drops too low.
Additionally, many boat water makers include an automatic flush cycle. This helps to clean the RO membrane and prevent it from becoming clogged with debris.
Watch a video about our boat water maker problems here: Boat Maintenance
A sailboat water maker is a crucial piece of equipment for sailors who want to remain self-sufficient on extended voyages or in areas where potable water is not readily available.
By converting saltwater into fresh drinking water, it provides sailors with a reliable source of hydration while they are at sea. With its high-pressure pump, RO membrane, control panel, and energy source, the sailboat water maker is a complex yet essential system that allows sailors to remain safe and comfortable on their journeys.
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Hey Kim,
You forgot an important side of the system.
That is the electric shutoff when the high pressure pump does not get enough or too much (amps) electricity.
It’s a feature on almost all water maker systems.
Yes – that’s very important. Thank you Douwe 🙂 Kim