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Post by happydaze on Feb 4, 2013 10:55:47 GMT
Hello fellow Jeanneau owners, I'm thinking about installing a watermaker in my SO 43DS. Can anybody help me out on this. I am preparing my boat for serious bluewater sailing. To do so, i am thinking about converting one of my watertanks into a fueltank to increase the capacity of fuel, bringing the total amount of fuel capacity to 375 ltr. As i will have left only 400 ltr freshwater capacity i am also thinking of installing a watermaker. I think the best choice would be a watermaker that works on 220 volts but because of the place where my genset is build in, the locker at the rear where normally the liferaft is placed, it is hard to work on while underway and therefore i cannot rely on it. When there is a problem with the generator i would not be able to produce fresh water. Is there a system that can work as well on 220 as 12 volts and what would be the best place to install it on my SO 43 DS? You will have to take in mind that there is no room to install the watermaker below the dining area in the saloon because below the seating against the forward bulkhead there is build in a airco. All tips are very welcome,
Regards,
Peter
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Post by Tafika II on Feb 4, 2013 14:32:44 GMT
We have a Spectra Catalina 300 with the MC 500 controller. Our's is 12VDC only. Great system, easy to maintain and great support when you need it. www.spectrawatermakers.com
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Post by happydaze on Feb 4, 2013 15:49:00 GMT
Good to hear from you. Where did you install it in your vessel?
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Post by rxc on Feb 4, 2013 16:02:39 GMT
I have a Spectra Ventura 150 on my 43DS, installed in the bilge space where the sump is located. The pump is under the settee just to sbd of the mast compression post. It does not take up much room, and there is also an AC unit mounted there.
This unit supported me and 3 others during a transatlantic trip in 2008, and then my wife and I during cruising in NW Europe since then. It is a 12v unit.
I would not recommend a 220v unit because you will not be able to run your genset underway, offshore. Gensets do not like to roll - their lube oil systems are not usually designed for that application. 12v systems, though, can take advantage of power supplied by windmills, solar panels, shore power (via battery charger), engine alternator, or gensets (via battery charger).
Also, I would not recommend changing a water tank to a fuel tank - they are made of different materials, and if you put diesel into a water tank, you may one day see a nasty leak. I think I remember someone asking about this before on this board, and Jeanneau or the tank mfg. telling them that the material was NOT compatible with diesel.
I make water to my central tank, and pump it from there to the other 2 tanks. I try to keep the fwd tank full at all times, and alternate using the central and stbd tanks.
How many people do you plan to support on the watermaker? This is very important, because it will determine the size of the watermaker, and then you have to figure out how to power it.
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Post by Tafika II on Feb 4, 2013 16:43:39 GMT
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Post by happydaze on Feb 5, 2013 11:18:56 GMT
Thanks for your reply.
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Post by Zanshin on Feb 5, 2013 15:56:50 GMT
I'm running (de-pickling) my Spectra as I write this and would recommend the unit. The low power consumption and quiet running plus the modular construction make it a good choice. On my previous Jeanneau 49 I had an efficient but extremely loud (think of jet-takeoff power at close range) unit which I didn't like to use. The spectra goes "kerthunk" every 2 seconds and I have a light sound of the pump in the background.
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Post by sailbleu on Feb 6, 2013 4:48:21 GMT
I installed my echotec 8.4 gallons 4 years ago) next to the bowthruster, infact on top of it. Added some watersensors with alarm just in case (leaks). I would never rebuild/change a watertank into a dieseltank though. Been there done that ,and last year I switched it back again. In my view it is more important to have a substantial amount of water and the watermaker can (and will) break down. Must admit , when doing the original setup last year I also built and installed a extra ss diesel tank of about 90 liters , bringing my total to 225 liter diesel and 460 liters of water.
Regards
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