Rainman Electric Manual
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Page 11
Desalinating while under way
Your Rainman watermaker can be operated while under way. Ideally, your unit should be installed and
connected to a through hull that is always underwater at all angles of heel and roll. In this case you can operate
your system as per the normal procedure outlined above.
Depending on hull shape, speed, and the sea state, air bubbles can find their way to a through hull fitting even
if it is well below the water. Some boats, speeds and sea states are not suitable for making water underway.
Several Rainman owners have been
successful in using their portable
watermaker while under way without a
dedicated through hull by trailing the
intake hose in the wash at the stern of
their vessel. To prevent air working into
the system, customers have used either
weights or a down pole to hold the
intake below the surface.
Slide the intake cap up the intake hose
and securing it on board the vessel so
that the end of the intake hose can sink
sufficiently below the surface.
Do not use the detachable suction strainer when towing the intake
hose.
If the intake hose is sucking air, the membranes may be damaged.
Another method of using a portable system whilst underway is by supplying it via a deckwash pump, providing
that it is fed from an intake that is below the waterline at all angles of heal and has a minimum flow rate of 10
litres/min, and a maximum output pressure of 3 bar (45 psi).
If using a portable Rainman whilst underway, make sure the system is placed securely and protected from
getting wet.