Rainman Modular Watermaker
Why Install?
Rainman built our reputation on inventing and commercializing portable watermakers. However, over the years many of our customers prefer to permanently or semi-permanently install their systems into their boat. There are many reasons for this:
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You don’t have to pull the system out on deck every time you use it.
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No hoses thrown over the side of your boat while system is in use.
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Less concern of hoses getting kicked out of place while in use.
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Easier to use while underway.
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System Types Available
If you decide to install a Rainman modular watermaker, we offer systems that generate from 34 – 140 litres per hour (9 – 37 gph). Power types include:
AC Electric Powered
The primary design principle in the AC Rainman is that it must start and run using a Honda 2kVA portable generator or a good quality 2kva inverter. Higher capacity generators and inverters are commonly used as well. They can be made in either 230VAC/50Hz or 115VAC/60 Hz.
DC Electric Powered
This system was designed for lower power and lower flow rates. They are available in either 12VDC or 24VDC. Simplicity, low maintenance, and reliability are retained by utilising a simple triplex plunger pump.
Minimalist Installation
Rainman’s modular system is designed to utilise the minimum footprint for an installation. Each component can be mounted into small and remote locations of your vessel.
The primary system is comprised of a pressure supply unit (PSU) and a reverse osmosis unit (RO). Both parts are required to make a complete watermaker. The PSU lifts the seawater, filters out the sediment and puts the system under high pressure, while the RO unit extracts fresh water from the stream of pressurised seawater. Most of the water goes out to waste as brine output, while about 20% of the volume is extracted as fresh potable water for your tanks. Different power and RO options exist depending on your requirements.
Optional components, such as manual control panel and autoflush system are available to ease and enhance the user experience.
Easy Mounting System
Often one of the difficulties common with a watermaker installation is the physical mounting of various components. Rainman has developed a fibreglass reinforced nylon mounting system to ease these challenges. Simply screw down the seats with self-tapper screws and the Rainman systems easily snap into place.
More details can be found in the videos below or in the installation guide, but you can expect to save hours off the installation process relative to other systems.
Installation of the Reverse Osmosis Unit
Installation of Pressure Supply Unit
Plumbing Installation Kit
The Rainman Modular watermaker includes a plumbing kit that is designed to fulfil most of the requirements for your installation. Every boat is different, so there may be some parts to source yourself. Some of these customer sourced parts can include a sea strainer or fittings to adapt Rainman to fittings in your plumbing system.
If you plan to fully install your Portable Rainman system, the plumbing kit can be purchased as an option.
More details of what is included in this kit can be found on the accessories page.
Technical Skills Required for Installation
While most customers will have their system installed professionally, there is no reason you can not undertake the job yourself. The skills required include the use of hand and power tools, cutting in to various water lines, and routing soft plumbing and electrical cabling throughout your vessel.
The installation guide will assist in determining if you wish to do the job yourself.
Options
The Rainman modular system can be purchased and installed on its own, with only a simple valve/gauge assembly to control pressure. However, most customers will prefer to have the optional control panel and autoflush system to enhance the user experience.
Manual Control Panel
The optional control panel provides a remote management capability for your installed Rainman watermaker. It’s a highly presentable and functional add-on component that will ease the use of your watermaker.
It is an injection moulded ASA acrylic panel that remains true to Rainman’s reputation of elegant simplicity.
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Integration with the Rainman autoflush system, triggers flush cycle after powering the watermaker off.
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Built in tri-colour LED salinity sensor indicates when water is good to route to your tank.
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Can be installed flush mounted in a wall, standalone with the included enclosure box, or even externally with the optional hatch.
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Simple installation with no high pressure fittings or high voltage wiring.
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Backwards compatible if you already have an installed electric modular or cased Rainman.
Autoflush
Your Rainman watermaker is a robust piece of equipment, but caring for certain aspects will prolong its life. Regularly flushing your Rainman with fresh water will maximise the life of your reverse osmosis membranes.
The optional autoflush system incorporates a solid state programmable timer that will flush your Rainman watermaker after each use and every seven days thereafter. It incorporates built in protection if your boat loses power during or between flush cycles.
Maintenance Requirements
While there is limited maintenance on your Rainman watermaker, there are a few things that should be looked after to ensure a long life of your system.
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When storing system:
Fresh water flush and pickle the system when storing it for more than a couple days. This may sound complex, but it is an easy five minute process with no specialist knowledge required. Alternatively, install the autoflush system to avoid the need for manually performing this task.
5 - 50+ hours of use:
Change the non-proprietary prefilter after 5-50+ hours of us, depending on cleanliness of the source water.
Specifications Comparison Table
Spare Parts & Consumables
Consumable Part
PLEATED PAPER 5 MICRON PRE-FILTER CARTRIDGE. The life of your pre-filter cartridge will depend largely on the source water being used. Drawing water out of the open ocean may allow your pre-filter cartridge last for several months, while drawing from polluted bays may foul your cartridge within hours of use. The cartridge is a 10" x 2.5" 5 micron pleated paper filter. These inexpensive cartridges are widely used and available throughout the world from water filtration retailers and hardware stores. Please note it is very important to use a 5 micron filter with this system to protect the RO membranes and the high pressure pump.
