Can we add an optional engine drive pump to our existing 240 Volt AC system?
Sure, no worries.
One of our customers had some trouble with their high pressure pump motor, while they were cruising in Fiji. A water leak in their exhaust system doused their electric motor. We were able to get them a replacement motor in just a few days, but they really didn't like being without their watermaker. It got them to thinking about having a back up. They decided to fit another high pressure pump to ensure that they had redundancy in their high pressure system.
The installation involved plumbing in a feed water switching valve and a high pressure switching valve, plus adding another 12 Volt switch to engage the clutch on the engine drive pump.
The retrofit was quite straight-forward. We found a convenient location for the switching valves, and fabricated a custom bracket to fit the boat. We consolidated and upgraded the dual alternator charging system with a single high output alternator and external regulator, then used the second alternator space to mount the engine drive pump.
The retrofit was quite straight-forward. We found a convenient location for the switching valves, and fabricated a custom bracket to fit the boat. We consolidated and upgraded the dual alternator charging system with a single high output alternator and external regulator, then used the second alternator space to mount the engine drive pump.
We all motor more than we would like. The dual system is a great way to take advantage of the mechanical energy you are expending, while motoring, and still be able to keep your tanks topped up when you spend a few days at anchor. Arrive at your anchorage with full tanks, due to the Engine Drive part of the watermaker, and keep them full with your generator, for as long as you want to stay in one place. The best of both worlds. Our systems are manually operated, and mechanically regulated. They are very simple and easy to understand. We have also set them up to be easy to operate. You will have all the benefits of a simple, mechanical system, as well as the ease of operation that you would find with a complicated electronics driven system. We have had a request for a dual high pressure pump system. This one for 2 AC pumps on a system for a flash new luxury launch.
For the system that has everything, this one features a pair of our high output membranes and a switching panel fitted between the two high pressure pumps. Before starting the system, the source water, high pressure, and electrical power are switched to the selected pump, and the system is started up like normal. |