Watermakers / Compare systems
Engine drive, AC or DC?
All three use the same simple, mechanical design. The difference is where the power comes from. Here they are side by side.
Side By Side
Same simple design, different power.
| Engine Drive | AC 230V | DC High-Output | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | 80, 160 or 240 L/h | 80, 160 or 240 L/h | 70 L/h |
| Power source | Belt and electric clutch off your main engine or generator | A generator of 4.5 kW or more | 12V or 24V batteries, charged by solar, wind, alternator or generator |
| Power draw | Clutch and boost pump about 4 A each at 12V (2 A each at 24V). The pump takes up to 2.15 kW from the engine. | About 13 A at 230V | About 56 A at 12.5V or 28 A at 24V (about 700 W) |
| Best when | You motor or run the engine most days | You run a generator anyway | You have 1000 W or more of solar, or a strong DC system |
| Installation | Needs a bracket to mount the pump on the engine | The simplest install in our range | Pump and motor come pre-wired on a base plate |
| High-pressure pump | 240 x 320 x 190 mm, 11 kg | 285 x 560 x 255 mm with motor | 340 x 540 x 220 mm with motor |
| Suits boats | Boats with high water use | Boats with a generator and high water use | Boats that run on DC power only |
| Price | From NZ$11,880 + GST | From NZ$13,090 + GST | From NZ$14,960 + GST |
| Details | Engine Drive → | AC systems → | DC High-Output → |
All output figures are for seawater at 25 °C and 35,000 ppm, at 800-850 psi. Every system has a 12-month warranty, plus 5 years on the carbon fibre housings and end caps.
Which Suits You
Start with how your boat is powered.
Engine Drive
I motor most days, or run the engine to charge
Turn engine time into 80 to 240 L/h of water, without a big electrical load.
See Engine Drive → ACI have a generator of 4.5 kW or more
High output while the generator runs, so run times stay short.
See AC systems → DCI rely on solar, wind and batteries
70 L/h from 1000 W or more of solar. Two hours uses about 112 Ah at 12V.
See DC High-Output → BackupI want a backup if one power source fails
Two high-pressure pumps on one system, for example engine drive plus AC.
Dual pumps → SizingI'm not sure how much water I need
Output per hour, run time per day, and when to add a membrane.
How much water → LayoutWhere do the controls go?
The Quencher panel runs the system from the main cabin. Mounting examples from real boats.
See the layout →Still not sure?
Tell us about your boat, how it's powered and how much water you use. Pete will point you at the right setup.