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Post Info TOPIC: Solution to Off-Grid Water Supply?
Long Weekend


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Just found this site on the Internet:

https://www.livingvehicle.com

(Sorry if the link doesn't work - for some reason I couldn't copy and paste the site name.)

The site is an American one for ultra luxurious vans. But what is of interest is that one of the features offered is a self contained water generation system. Said to be able to produce five (American) gallons of water per day. That would suit almost all off-grid campers.

However, before getting too excited technical details are rather sparce. Such as how would it work in very low humidity like deserts. 

Probably more import is what the power requirements are, although a video clip shows the van parked in an open field.

Could this be just over the horizon for free campers?

Murray



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dorian


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This is the manufacturer:

https://www.watergen.com/mobility/watergen-mobile-box/

This device produces up to 25 litres of drinking water each day:

    Weight - 30kg (dry)

    Voltage - 12V

    Peak power consumption - 480W 

    Average power consumption - 350W

If I understand correctly, one would have to run it for 1 hour at 30 amps (30Ah) to produce 1 litre of water.



-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 23rd of June 2022 10:50:09 AM

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86GTS


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I'm still waiting for someone to invent a process that makes wine out of water. biggrin



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kgarnett


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Mentioned here:

https://www.thegreynomads.com.au/accessories/camping-products/watergen/

 and here with a rooftop model :

 https://outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/announcements/water-from-the-air/

 

Ken



-- Edited by kgarnett on Thursday 23rd of June 2022 11:22:12 AM

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rgren2


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86GTS wrote:

I'm still waiting for someone to invent a process that makes wine out of water. biggrin

 I can do the opposite. biggrinbiggrinbiggrin



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Jaahn


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rgren2 wrote:
86GTS wrote:

I'm still waiting for someone to invent a process that makes wine out of water. biggrin

 I can do the opposite. biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

 Hi 86GTS smile

Oohh ye of little faith !! 



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Jaahn


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Hi smile

As for making water out of the air, technically easy enough and common ! Most people already have a device they drive around with. 

You will have to guess !wink 

Jaahn



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Whenarewethere


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If you have used a portable air conditioner in a humid environment you will know how quickly the tank fills up unless if pumps the water over the condenser for more efficient cooling.



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Wanda


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86GTS wrote:

I'm still waiting for someone to invent a process that makes wine out of water. biggrin

Well, when you find it, I WANT ONE

Ian



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Aussie1


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Wanda wrote:
86GTS wrote:

I'm still waiting for someone to invent a process that makes wine out of water. biggrin

Well, when you find it, I WANT ONE

Ian

 

 

 

I know a dude that can do that, the invisible dude in the sky biggrin 



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Whenarewethere


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'You have only so many bottles in your life, never drink a bad one.' 

'In France, drunkenness is a consequence, never an intention.'

 - Len Evans 

 

I am not sure of the exact dates but it is within reason.

Len Evens was emptying his cellar due to impending permanent health issues! Starting with the oldest bottles slowly or maybe quickly depending on one's point of view, working his way to the youngest.

Anyway, on a typical evening with friends he was opening a bottle of 1927 vintage and accidentally dropped it. There was shock around the table. Nonchalantly Len said, 'Everyone happy with a 28.'



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Cuppa


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We live on possibly the driest continent in the world & we travel through the outback, often remaining off grid for 6+ weeks at a time. We can carry up to 220 litres of water & have never yet felt any need to carry more , nor to be able to produce our own. We are fussy about where we source water & to date have never needed to use creek or billabong water for drinking. We top up when we can & have never run out, & I can't recall having ever needed to move on just because of the need to resupply with water.

The most difficult situation with water - a one off. We had deliberately carried less water, to reduce weight, when travelling the rough Munja Track to Walcott Inlet in the Kimberley. We reserved our tank water for drinking & cooking only, using salt water pulled from the inlet with a bucket on a rope (to avoid being a croc snack) for washing . The muddy water settled in the bucket & we used the top section when the sediment had settled. Wouldn't want to do this too often, but the strategy allowed us to camp in this wonderful remote environment for 10 days. When we finally reached a hot shower it was heaven! :)


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86GTS


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CHEERS! relax.gif

Screenshot 2022-06-25 at 10-49-07 Turn Your Urine Into Drinkable Water With This New Solar-Powered Machine.png



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dorian


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I wonder if the Watergen device can be filled with rainwater or creek water and then used as a filter and purifier.

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Jaahn


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dorian wrote:

I wonder if the Watergen device can be filled with rainwater or creek water and then used as a filter and purifier.

 Hi smile

There is a product which will do that, and available now here in camping shops etc. No energy required. Lifestraw. Comes in small or larger capacities and forms. 

https://lifestraw.jadavey.com.au/   Australian direct supplier. But you can find some products in most camping stores.  

https://lifestraw.com/  online store overseas. 

From Wikipedia; "LifeStraw is a brand of water filtration and purification devices. The original LifeStraw was designed as a portable water filter "straw". It filters a maximum of 4000 litres of water, enough for one person for three years. It removes almost all waterborne bacteria, microplastics and parasites.[1] A bottle was later developed which incorporated a LifeStraw cartridge into a 650-millilitre (22 US fl oz) BPA-free plastic sports water bottle.[2] In addition to these portable filters, the manufacturer also produces high-volume purifiers powered by gravity that also remove viruses. These are designed for family and community use.[3]

The water filters are designed by the Swiss-based Vestergaard Frandsen. While originally developed for people living in developing nations and for distribution in humanitarian crisis, the filters have gained popularity as consumer products. The device is now used as a tool for survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts in addition to being used to help combat clean water scarcity worldwide. The filters can provide clean water without the need for batteries or chemical treatment. They are made using hollow fiber membrane technology; some of them also incorporate an activated carbon component."

Jaahn

  



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dorian


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Is LifeStraw any better than any other domestic water filter? I use a Sunbeam BRITA Water Filter/Purifier which has a carbon block filter.

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Jaahn


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dorian wrote:

Is LifeStraw any better than any other domestic water filter? I use a Sunbeam BRITA Water Filter/Purifier which has a carbon block filter.

 Dorian, short answer yesaww Long answer is they were developed to be used in third world countries to enable people to get safe drinking water from bad water supplies. Indeed that is their main market. And if you buy one they donate some percentage of the profit to supplying third world units. They are certified to remove nasties unlike the ordinary filters which usually just try to improve the taste. 

Read  the links and you will know more than I.biggrin  Note you do not have to use the suck it up from a puddle basic type. 

Jaahn

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter - Buy Online in UAE. | Sporting Goods ...LifeStraw Home Glass Water Filter Pitcher Wins IDEA 2019 Gold Award For ...LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Filtration - 22 fl.oz. 2 pack



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Whenarewethere


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At home we have a Stiebel Eltron 4 stage water filter, for well over a decade. The information sheet says replace filter every 2000 litres, & that is if it is pretty clean water to start with, ie town water.



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Buzz Lightbulb


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I looked into many filters a year or so ago. Most will kill bacteria in the filter but not remove the bacteria. Most do NOT remove viruses. One needs to read the fine print and the Life Straw does filter out bacteria, toxins and viruses.



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dorian


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Lifestraw's domestic filters don't appear to remove viruses. At least I can find no mention of same.

https://lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw-home



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Jaahn


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dorian wrote:

Lifestraw's domestic filters don't appear to remove viruses. At least I can find no mention of same.

https://lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw-home

Dorian smile

I found this Lifestraw product type protection comparison chart. Viruses are shown near the bottom row. 

 https://lifestraw.com/pages/compare

The detailed data is available for each product type here.

https://help.lifestraw.com/category/199-product-guides

Jaahn 

I might ask for a sales commission ! hmm



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