Water makers.

[wescarroll]

Costco has a reverse osmosis water purification system for sale $149.95. First let me state I know it is not marine grade, materials and otherwise. But I was wondering has any one tried to use such a system as a watermaker? It seems to me the tech is very similar.

[Faster]

Not familiar with it but my first thought is is it a 'purifier' or a 'desalinator'?... very different job description to clean up suspect tap water vs removing salt from sea water.. I suspect a Costco unit would simply be for purifying domestic fresh water.

[TQA]

Not going to remove salt so not a " WATERMAKER "

[dongreerps]

The reverse osmosis water purification system by Costco almost certainly does NOT have a pump, but rather depends upon domestic water supply pressure.

[stevensuf]

these are for domestic appliances and use mains water pressure, not much use on a boat.

[Pamlicotraveler]

It would be nice if it was a watermaker.....

[GaryHLucas]

Osmotic pressure is a function of the concentration of salts in the water. Those under cabinet RO units can remove salts at very low concentrations with household pressure, as found in well water, or city water. To remove salts at the concentrations found in seawater takes about 800 psi or more. We build waste water RO units. We sometimes need to use 2000 psi.

Gary H. Lucas

[Brent Swain]

I built my own 540 gallon per day watermaker, using a pressure washer pump, and building my own membrane housing . Cost me around $750. The same output from West Marine costs around $10K. My book tells you how to build it.

[knotted]

Brent:
Just wanted to confirm, that was 540 gallons per day? if so, your talents should be employed in manufacturing, and I'll partner in a heartbeat!

[tdw]

Originally Posted by knotted

Brent:
Just wanted to confirm, that was 540 gallons per day? if so, your talents should be employed in manufacturing, and I'll partner in a heartbeat!

Watermaker on the Womboat is 350 gallons a day (not sure if thats imperial or US to be honest but I think US).

Spectra already have 700 and 1000 gals per day models.

For Brent to build one that puts out 540 galls per day is pretty damned impressive in my book but its not exactly ground breaking output wise.