Tips on using and winterizing
Having chilled (and fresh) water at one’s disposal is a dream for long distance cruising and a lot less weight on board for speed freaks. Although many multihulls, including in charter fleets, are equipped with a watermaker on board, for some, this hi-tech equipment may seem complex to use. Here we explain how to use one (properly) and how to maintain it. And since you are not always on board, we have included a winterization procedure for you.
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Publié le
01/12/2022
Par
Olivier Barret
Numéro :
187
Parution :
Jan.
/
Feb.
2023
Most watermakers work on the principle of reverse osmosis. Put simply, the sea water is sucked in by a low-pressure pump and passes through a 40-micron pre-filter which blocks the bigger particles. It then passes through a 5-micron filter which retains the smaller impurities. A high-pressure pump then sends the seawater through a tube containing semi-permeable membranesThe pressurized seawater (above osmotic pressure: 30 bar/435 psi in the Atlantic and 35 bar/500 psi in the Mediterranean) is forced to pass through these membranes, which only allow water molecules to pass through while retainin…
