I am looking at having a Spectra Ventura 150 Deluxe watermaker with
the MPC controller installed. Anybody else have this unit that would
share their experiences with it? Also, any feedback on the companies
customer service would be appreciated. It seems boat parts are only
as good as the company that services them.

Thanks.

I have used Spectras on my last three boats. I currently have the Newport
400 with the MPC 3000 controller. Obviously, I think the Spectras are good
or I wouldn't keep buying them. I had a few service issues with my prior
unit that were all handled to my satisfaction by Spectra. I love the
functionality that the MPC3000: best controller they have had yet.

My first two installs were on sailboats. I chose the Spectras primarility
because of energy efficiency. My current boat is a trawler. I chose the
spectra again primarilly because of my good experiences with the
equipment/company, second because it seemed noticable quieter than any of
the other units I have seen(heard) on other boats, and third for the energy
efficiency --- although not as much of an issue since there is enough other
STUFF drawing my battereies down now.

"bumfuzzle" wrote in message
om...
I am looking at having a Spectra Ventura 150 Deluxe watermaker with
the MPC controller installed. Anybody else have this unit that would
share their experiences with it? Also, any feedback on the companies
customer service would be appreciated. It seems boat parts are only
as good as the company that services them.

Thanks.

Jerry F wrote:
I have used Spectras on my last three boats. I currently have the Newport
400 with the MPC 3000 controller. Obviously, I think the Spectras are good
or I wouldn't keep buying them. I had a few service issues with my prior
unit that were all handled to my satisfaction by Spectra. I love the
functionality that the MPC3000: best controller they have had yet.

My first two installs were on sailboats. I chose the Spectras primarility
because of energy efficiency. My current boat is a trawler. I chose the
spectra again primarilly because of my good experiences with the
equipment/company, second because it seemed noticable quieter than any of
the other units I have seen(heard) on other boats, and third for the energy
efficiency --- although not as much of an issue since there is enough other
STUFF drawing my battereies down now.

I've been looking in because a watermaker is moving up on our list. I went to
Spectra and it appears that all of the units have similar operation features -
pretty much 'hands off' for routine operation, and they all seem to have the MPC
3000 which you singled out. And it looks as though the components, though
smaller, are of equal quality and function.

So is component size and power requirement (and output, of course) the only
difference? I need far less than 400 gallons per day, and would opt for a
smaller unit.

"Jerry F" no-email-address wrote in message
...
While I have no first hand experience with the Ventura 150 model, it
certainly appears that the key components --- membrane and clark pump are
the same.

The higher capacity units have two feed pumps vs the one feed pump in the
150. I cannot tell if the feed pumps are the same or not. This is where
the higher capacity comes from.

The Newport units also appears to have more raw water filters than the
150.
This is either not a problem if you are using it only in nice clean water,
or something that you may want to address if you may not be in the
cleanest
water. You can probably add your own filters if you feel it is necessary.

The Newport unit also includes a fresh water flush module that does not
appear to be included with the ventura.

If the 6.3 GPH does the job for you, the 150 seems like a great choice. I
believe that most of GPH numbers are based on the battery voltage being at
full charge during the watermarking cycle. Unless you have a large
battery
bank, or are charging your batteries, that voltage may not be there and
actual capacity may be less. I sized my watermaker based on the amount of
time that I planned on running one of my battery charging sources (main
engine / genset) each day. Same for my sailboats except that on a bright
sunny day in the Bahamas, the watermaker ran all day off my solar panels
(4
X 75 watts). I had more water than I knew what to do with --- gave some
away, washed the boat.

Currently web-challenged, I have not been to their site(s). How much do
these cost??

I intend solar and wind generation unless I get a boat with a nearly new
genset (and maybe, still, even then), so I'm quite encouraged to think that
RO and other stuff can be managed just with solar in the Caribbean, which is
where I'll be.

L8R

Skip

--
--

"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin

second try...

From: "Skip Gundlach"
Subject: Spectra 150 Deluxe Watermaker
Date: Thursday, August 14, 2003 4:11 PM

"Jerry F" no-email-address wrote in message
...
While I have no first hand experience with the Ventura 150 model, it
certainly appears that the key components --- membrane and clark pump are
the same.

The higher capacity units have two feed pumps vs the one feed pump in the
150. I cannot tell if the feed pumps are the same or not. This is where
the higher capacity comes from.

The Newport units also appears to have more raw water filters than the
150.
This is either not a problem if you are using it only in nice clean water,
or something that you may want to address if you may not be in the
cleanest
water. You can probably add your own filters if you feel it is necessary.

The Newport unit also includes a fresh water flush module that does not
appear to be included with the ventura.

If the 6.3 GPH does the job for you, the 150 seems like a great choice. I
believe that most of GPH numbers are based on the battery voltage being at
full charge during the watermarking cycle. Unless you have a large
battery
bank, or are charging your batteries, that voltage may not be there and
actual capacity may be less. I sized my watermaker based on the amount of
time that I planned on running one of my battery charging sources (main
engine / genset) each day. Same for my sailboats except that on a bright
sunny day in the Bahamas, the watermaker ran all day off my solar panels
(4
X 75 watts). I had more water than I knew what to do with --- gave some
away, washed the boat.

Currently web-challenged, I have not been to their site(s). How much do
these cost??

I intend solar and wind generation unless I get a boat with a nearly new
genset (and maybe, still, even then), so I'm quite encouraged to think that
RO and other stuff can be managed just with solar in the Caribbean, which is
where I'll be.

L8R

Skip

--
--

"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin