This video shows a walkthrough of an AC Modular 140L Rainman watermaker installation aboard a 46-foot Hanse sailing yacht anchored in St. Moors, Cornwall, UK. It was purchased through The Wetworks in the UK. The owner provides a detailed tour of how the reverse osmosis desalination system has been integrated into the yacht’s existing infrastructure, with most components strategically placed beneath the owner’s bed in the forward cabin. The installation demonstrates thoughtful planning and efficient use of available space within the yacht’s hull.
The installation makes clever use of existing yacht systems and spaces. The raw water intake connects to an existing seacock that previously served the heads, eliminating the need for additional through-hull fittings. The high-pressure pump and reverse osmosis tubes are positioned in the port side space created by the bow thruster batteries, while filters are mounted on the opposite side. All electrical cabling and plumbing runs neatly along the back of the cabinet work to the manual control panel, creating a clean and organised installation.
The water flow system follows a logical path with minimal complexity. Raw water travels from the seacock through a sea strainer to a divert valve, then to the high-pressure pump. From there, it passes through a 5-micron prefilter and back to the high-pressure pump before reaching the reverse osmosis units. The relatively short pipe runs (about 2.5 meters total) and minimal water lift required make for an efficient setup that doesn’t overwork the lift pump, with the waterline position providing nearly effortless water pickup.
The yacht’s robust electrical system enables the Rainman to run efficiently off the inverter system. The vessel features over 1,000 watts of solar panels on the hardtop, 1,320 amp-hours of Victron smart lithium batteries, and a 3-kilowatt Victron MultiPlus 2 inverter.
The walkthrough concludes with the daily water production cycle being completed, showing the system’s shutdown sequence and the autoflush procedure that flushes the system with fresh water through carbon filters for two minutes. The owner emphasises that running a Rainman off an inverter is safe and practical when supported by properly sized batteries, heavy-gauge wiring, and appropriate electrical infrastructure. The installation demonstrates how marine desalination systems can be successfully integrated into cruising yachts with proper planning and quality components.
Helpful Links
» The Wetworks Rainman dealer in the UK.
» Product information: Rainman Modular watermaker options