Hashtag Sal · video

What this video covers

Adriano Plotzky installs a Schenker Zen 30 reverse-osmosis watermaker aboard his 34-foot sailboat Balanço, documenting the full process from purchase through first test. The unit draws 9 amps at 12V to produce 30 liters per hour, low enough for Balanço's solar panels to run it without a generator — a key barrier Adriano had previously considered insurmountable on a boat with only a 1 kVA generator.2:57 He explains reverse-osmosis membrane physics in detail: pore sizes near 0.0007 micrometers pass water molecules but block salt, bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and herbicides.8:59 Installation goes into the aft berth, sharing the engine's existing seawater intake temporarily until a dedicated through-hull can be cut during a haulout.20:43 Hose selection, T-valve configuration, pre-filter sizing, electrical wiring with a circuit breaker, and the freshwater flush circuit are all covered. He addresses the safety of drinking desalinated water directly, citing WHO guidelines and noting the Zen 30 produces water at 350 ppm TDS, within all acceptable ranges.16:04 Membrane longevity depends on water quality; he relays advice from Ricardo to avoid using the unit in less than 6–7 meters depth near coral.25:03 The Zen 30's automated 15-day flush cycle protects the membrane during periods when the boat sits unused.28:31

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