Watermaker/Desalination/filters

[Lynn]

I was wondering around on GovLiquidation, and found that they have 141 separate auctions for hand pumped water filters / desalinators / watermakers:

Recovery Engineering Inc, P/ N: 0BJ61/ MR0D-35-LA-1, Ion exchange water demineralizer, PUR survivor-35, Hand operated pump, Usage location: stored in life rafts or man overboard packs, ejection seats, troop transport aircraft, and ships

Search Page Link.

Starting bid is $150 ea.

Bidding starts on 05/17.

Location is Oklahoma City.

No connection, yadda yadda. I'd like to have one, but don't have the fun coupons right now. Just thought I'd pass it along.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

I was wondering around on GovLiquidation, and found that they have 141 separate auctions for hand pumped water filters / desalinators / watermakers:

Search Page Link.

Starting bid is $150 ea.

Bidding starts on 05/17.

Location is Oklahoma City.

No connection, yadda yadda. I'd like to have one, but don't have the fun coupons right now. Just thought I'd pass it along.

Those go for about two grand each, new.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10111&subdeptNum=10628&classNum=10635

And even if they've been used (odds are no, they're packed in large aircraft liferafts) the filter and all parts are available and replaceable.

 

[Zaskoda]

Are these single use emergency items or can you use these on a semi-regular basis somehow?

Edit: I read up on the link SunTzuNephew posted a bit. It's reverse osmosis and it says it's self cleaning.. how that works I don't understand. I didn't find anything suggesting how long you can use it before some kind of maintenance is required.

Edited Again: Ok, I found some more to read. The unit self cleans and has a hose for the water it rejects, now I understand how that works. The filter can still get dirty and you have to use a special kit with solution to clean it. It sounds like it takes a while to get dirty. Once you've used the unit and you want to store it, you're supposed to flush it with biocide. The manual also says this procedure should be done once a year.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Are these single use emergency items or can you use these on a semi-regular basis somehow?

Edit: I read up on the link SunTzuNephew posted a bit. It's reverse osmosis and it says it's self cleaning.. how that works I don't understand. I didn't find anything suggesting how long you can use it before some kind of maintenance is required.

Edited Again: Ok, I found some more to read. The unit self cleans and has a hose for the water it rejects, now I understand how that works. The filter can still get dirty and you have to use a special kit with solution to clean it. It sounds like it takes a while to get dirty. Once you've used the unit and you want to store it, you're supposed to flush it with biocide. The manual also says this procedure should be done once a year.

I bought one from GL (through a group buy) a few years ago...aside from the tubing being slightly stiff, it was like new. I replaced the tubing with some tygon we had around and put it in our aircraft overwater survival kit.

As far as cleaning, they come with a repair kit with a new osmotic membrane. The biocide is to keep stuff from growing on the membrane when it's in storage, but after first use - or you can put in a new membrane.

These filters work pretty well. The one thing they can't handle is oily water...the oil plugs the osmotic membrane. But salt water, dirty fresh water, etc are all good. For dirty (muddy) water I'd either let most of the dirt settle out first, or use a pre-filter (t-shirt or something tied over the intake hose).

 

[Lynn]

And for those of you not familiar with GL auctions, be warned:

BUYER'S PREMIUM: ( top )

1. We charge a buyer's premium of 10% of the bid amount on all purchases. The buyer's premium is considered a taxable amount, and will be taxed at the appropriate rate depending on the location of the property. Buyer's premiums are standard in the auction industry, and should be factored into your bidding strategy.

Link to Terms and Conditions page