Cruising Forums

Texas_man · 10-12-2006, 11:07 PM

I am looking in to a water maker and woudld like feed back on the Katadyn 12 or 24 Volt system, any and all comments welcome.

Thanks

SV Gwendolyn · 10-13-2006, 03:54 AM

Hi there

I installed a Katadyn 40 on my Endurance 37 for a voyage from South Africa to New Zealand via Panama.

To be honest, I was disappointed. When it worked, it worked well but it is extremely susceptible to any air ingress so installation and pipework joins are paramount i.e. essential to ensure NO air gets into the system. Despite a full onboard service and replacement of all seals I still could not get it to work after it failed halfway between Balboa and the Marquesas.

I gave up after that....

Swagman · 10-13-2006, 04:33 PM

As you'd guess we've had the opposite experiences. Purchased the Katadyn Pure 80E one year back via eBay from Westmarine and had it shipped to the Balearics.

It went in like a dream under our floorboards, the instructions seemed foolproof.

We spent this last summers four months cruising the East Med where water can be suspect - so had it running most days to keep tanks topped up.

Although our 12v model is designed to only produce 12 litres per hour that is more than we found needed for drinking, cooking and daily showers.

We tended to run it mostly when the engine was on, but did at times run it when under sail alone and the electrical consumption was less than I'd predicted.

All round very pleased with the unit and would I buy it again? Sure.

JOHN