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Watermaker and E/R Monitoring Recommendations

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by DOCKMASTER, Sep 16, 2019.

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  1. DOCKMASTER, Sep 16, 2019
    #1
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Member

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    I'm interested in recommendations for a watermaker and an engine room camera monitoring system.

    For the watermaker I'm looking for something in the 300-400 gpd range. I need a unit that can mount down in the lazarette area and can be completely controlled by a remote panel in the salon. I have 110v or 220v power available to run it. It will get very minimal use but looking for something known to be reliable.

    Also looking to install some cameras and a monitor to view engine room. Remote access via wifi when I'm not near the boat would be a plus. Maybe even a security camera near the main entrance? I have Simrad NSS-12 screens but prefer not to use them and have a stand alone system and monitor unless there is a compelling reason not to go this route.

    Appreciate any input. Thank you!
  2. Capt J, Sep 16, 2019
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've used a lot of the different watermakers. The HRO sea recovery ones are nice, they have a remote start/stop panel that's nice and like those. The watermakers INC ones can be good also. But keep in mind on all of them you will have to adjust the pressure knob often to account for different salinity etc. I would get one where you can remote mount a lot of the items and have a small control panel near the engine room entrance where you can adjust the salinity knob, has the Pressure gauge on it and can start/stop it from there.
  3. Pascal, Sep 16, 2019
    #3
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Usually once you set the pressure for one area, it doesn’t change day to day. Typically when we get to the Bahamas I set the pressure with the valve and then use the remote panel at the helm to stop and start the WM
  4. Capt J, Sep 16, 2019
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've found it to change a little...…..On the last trip I had to adjust it as it climbed 75 psi, from one day to the next. Most of the watermakers I'm using are fairly new, so that might have something to do with it.
  5. CSkipR, Sep 17, 2019
    #5
    CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Give Neville Edwards a call in Stuart, Fl. He worked for SeaRecovery for years and then opened his own facility building water makers. He rebuilt my AquaWhisper Sea Recovery unit but his units are almost a hundred pounds lighter and dimensions slight smaller. If I didn't have one already I would have purchased his.
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 17, 2019
  6. DOCKMASTER, Sep 17, 2019
    #6
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Member

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    What is the name of his watermaker units or company?
  7. kiffa, Sep 17, 2019
    #7
    kiffa

    kiffa New Member

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    Neville's company is Edward's Refrigeration & Air +1 772-221-7755. He does some amazing marine ice machines too!
  8. CaboFly, Sep 17, 2019
    #8
    CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    I purchased and installed a Bluewater Desalination system and couldn't be happier. High quality unit. The owner sold another watermaker company a few years ago and after his non compete was up he started Bluewater. His name is Chris. I was all set to order a unit at the Lauderdale show from FCI. After passing the Bluewater booth and talking to Chris I was sold. He knows his sh*t. They are out of California. I noticed in looking at boats during that 2017 FLIBS that some of the new Vikings and brokerage custom boats had Bluewater systems that had been installed. Mine adjusts salinity automatically.

    For cameras I would take a look at Garmin. Can be used with Furuno, Simrad, etc as well.
  9. Pascal, Sep 17, 2019
    #9
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    If you have an enclosed pilothouse or flybridge and have space I would recommend a stand alone camera system so you can have it on a stand-alone monitor for larger view. I don’t like using precious MF real estate for stuff that can be on another screen

    Axis makes some really nice PTZ network cameras. We have four on the Lazzara 84 I run. I moved them from them from the Furuno Navnet 3D system on a delicated entry level PC with standard monitor. Readable in daylight since it s an enclosed PH.

    I also use the same monitor to send the FLIR output at night.

    The Axis cam allows me to zoom in and aim at most things I want to see in the ER including monitoring the pressures and flow on the water maker.

    Besides freeing an MFD for navigation, using MFDs for security cams poses compatibility issues. For example When one of the Axis Cam fail, that model was discontinued and none of the current models was compatible with the Navnet system...
  10. CSkipR, Sep 17, 2019
    #10
    CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    My mistake he makes icemakers not water-makers.
  11. DOCKMASTER, Sep 18, 2019
    #11
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Member

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    Thanks for the tip on the Bluewater Watermakers. From my initial research these look like great units. I'm honing in on the Legend 750 gpd unit.
  12. CaboFly, Sep 18, 2019
    #12
    CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    Looks nice. I have the Express XT. They can customize components a bit to fit your space and give you the best system for your needs.
  13. DOCKMASTER, Sep 19, 2019
    #13
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Member

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    I looked at the Express XT first then saw the Legend. For a few bucks more it looks like a more robust unit and a better control panel. But it may be overkill for my needs. I'll talk to them before deciding and I still have to get firm dimensions of the space available before deciding and ordering.
  14. Kapn, Sep 19, 2019
    #14
    Kapn

    Kapn Member

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    FCI has an automated pressure valve nowdays. Start and stop in the pilothouse and set the unit to shut off after so many gallons are made.
  15. Pascal, Sep 19, 2019
    #15
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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  16. DOCKMASTER, Sep 19, 2019
    #16
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Member

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    FCI? Sorry, not familiar with that acronym
  17. Capt J, Sep 19, 2019
    #17
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    https://www.fciwatermakers.com/

    I've used them on a few yachts and they worked fine. Dealer network is fine. Hatteras installed them on some yachts about 10 years ago I believe as well as other manufacturers.
  18. DOCKMASTER, Oct 23, 2019
    #18
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Member

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    I found a local dealer that sells the Blue Water units. Will be paying them a visit soon. After further measuring I cannot fit the complete package unit in the laz where I'm thinking to install it. I can, however, fit the modular unit in there by putting the filter assemblies and membranes close by. If I go the modular route I can actually fit a much higher production unit. The Legend 750 makes 31 gal/hr. I could go all the way up to the Legend 1850 and make 77 gal/hr. Whereas the 1850 is overkill I was thinking being able to produce water at a much higher hourly rate would mean I would only have to run the unit 2-3 hrs to fill my 240 gal tank depending how low it is. The larger unit is less than 100 lbs heavier and I have more than enough power to run it with the 20kw online. Would the bigger unit be just way overkill? One of the benefits for me in having a water maker is I can leave my fish box ice machine on fresh water. It makes good ice from seawater too but leaving on fresh water means I don't have to worry about switiching it back to flush with fresh water if it has been on seawater. Of course it only uses about 5 gal/hr of water so either water maker easily covers the water draw. I also have two young adult daughters and a wife that will all be happier being able to take longer showers ;)
  19. Donzi 54, Oct 23, 2019
    #19
    Donzi 54

    Donzi 54 Member

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  20. Capt Ralph, Oct 23, 2019
    #20
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I am a big fan of the Spectra water makers. One of our customers has his 24DCv unit running near all the time off shore. The Clark pump is super quiet. Able to run at night with out a gen set.
    No knobs to turn and auto back flush. Just a lil panel is all you need.
    Factory service is great also.
    Some boats have two.
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