A mini portable watermaker is a self-contained reverse-osmosis unit that turns seawater, brackish water or river water into drinking water wherever you happen to be. No plumbing, no installation, and no generator: drop the intake into the water, connect the hoses, and you have fresh water in minutes. If that sounds like it solves a problem you have, read on.
What a Mini Portable Watermaker Actually Does
The core job of any mini portable watermaker is simple: it forces raw water at high pressure through a semi-permeable RO membrane. The membrane holds back dissolved salts, sediment and most contaminants while clean, low-TDS water passes through to a tank or tap. A good marine-grade membrane rejects around 99.4% of salt, bringing seawater at 35,000 ppm TDS down to a typical output of 250 to 300 ppm, well inside the 800 ppm threshold for safe drinking water. A built-in UV stage provides an additional layer of disinfection after the membrane.
The word "mini" signals something specific: the unit is compact enough for one person to carry, draws power from a 12V battery rather than mains or a generator, and needs no permanent installation. That combination is what sets this category apart from the fixed below-deck watermakers you find on larger yachts.
Who Genuinely Needs One
A mini portable watermaker makes the most sense in three situations.
- Boaties without a fixed watermaker. Trailer sailers, cruising monohulls and catamarans from about 20 to 50 feet, and plate boats all benefit. You carry water from shore until you can make your own, and that dependency goes away.
- Campers and 4WD tourers. Remote coastal campsites often sit next to perfectly usable brackish or seawater. A portable unit plugged into your car or camper battery makes that water drinkable.
- Backup for a vessel that already has a fixed system. If the primary unit fails offshore, a portable watermaker in the lazarette gives you a working backup without any replumbing.
If your daily water demand is very high (a large charter boat, a liveaboard with showers, a crew of six), a mini unit may not produce enough volume on its own. The LEDI Nomad at 40 to 80 LPH is the right answer for those situations, not a second portable unit.
How the LEDI Scout Fits This Category
The LEDI Scout is LEDI's mini portable watermaker, made on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is available in 10 LPH and 20 LPH output versions, priced from $4,899 AUD. At 18 kg it is a single-person carry, and the entire kit fits in one case.
A few things make it practical rather than just portable:
- It runs on 12V DC at 16 to 18 amps. A house battery bank with 200 to 400W of solar handles that comfortably, so you do not need a generator running alongside it.
- The Pumptec 107SS high-pressure pump (USA-made, 316 stainless) operates at around 800 PSI. That is a commercial-grade component, not a budget part.
- A 5-micron pre-filter protects the membrane from sediment. The cartridge is a standard 2.5 x 5 inch size, costs $25 AUD, and swaps in a couple of minutes. For longer intervals between changes you can add a Watermaker Install Kit which includes a larger 2.5 x 10 inch housing.
- The unit ships with a submersible feed pump. Drop it over the side on the 5 m feed hose and the Scout has its feed water. For longer runs, the Scout Auxiliary Feed Pump or the Nomad Auxiliary Feed Pump extend reach to roughly 20 to 30 m horizontally and up to 5 m of vertical lift.
- Built-in UV sterilisation after the membrane, and output meets Australian drinking-water standards.
- An internally fitted hour meter tracks running hours so you know exactly when to service the unit.
Key Specs to Check Before You Buy Any Portable Unit
Not every mini portable watermaker is equal. When comparing units, look at these figures rather than just the marketing copy.
- Output in LPH (litres per hour), not daily litres. A daily figure assumes continuous running, which rarely happens. LPH tells you what you actually get per session.
- Power draw at 12V. Amps multiplied by voltage equals watts. A unit pulling 18A at 12V draws 216W, which your solar and battery can manage. A unit pulling 30A or more at 12V may need a generator.
- Salt rejection rate. Look for 99% or better. Lower rejection means higher TDS in the output and a shorter membrane life.
- Pump quality and parts availability. Proprietary pumps with no local spares are a liability offshore. The Scout uses a Pumptec 107SS with a service kit available directly from LEDI's spares range.
- Feed pump arrangement. Every properly designed portable unit ships with a submersible feed pump. Confirm what is included so you are not surprised on the water.
- Weight and carry format. Under 20 kg matters if you are moving the unit between a dinghy, a boat and a campsite.
Running and Maintenance Costs
The routine cost of running a mini portable watermaker is modest. The pre-filter cartridge is the main consumable, at $25 AUD for the Scout's 5-micron 2.5 x 5 inch size. Replace it roughly every 10 to 20 running hours in silty or murky water, or every 30 to 40 hours in clean ocean water. If feed pressure rises or output volume drops, change it sooner.
The RO membrane is not a regular consumable. With a freshwater flush after every use and proper pickling for longer storage periods, a membrane lasts several years before output or quality genuinely falls off. A replacement seawater RO membrane is $330 AUD when you eventually need one.
LEDI offers lifetime in-house servicing on the Gold Coast, and spare parts post Australia-wide and internationally, typically within one business day. The 1-year warranty extends to 2 years when you register the unit.
Honest Trade-Offs
A mini portable watermaker is a practical tool, not a perfect one. Here is what to weigh up before buying.
- Output is limited by design. At 10 or 20 LPH the Scout suits a small crew. For a crew of four to six with regular showers, a 40 to 80 LPH unit like the Nomad is a better fit.
- It runs manually. You set it up, run it, flush it, and put it away. There is no automation or remote panel. Fewer parts to fail, but it does require some hands-on time each session.
- Basic upkeep is non-negotiable. Pre-filter changes, freshwater flushing after use, and membrane pickling for storage. None of it is difficult, but skipping steps shortens membrane life.
- No permanent installation. That is also the main advantage. The same unit works on your boat, your camper, and as a shore-side backup.
For a deeper look at how portable units compare to fixed installs, see Portable vs Installed Watermaker and The Real Downsides of Traditional Watermakers.
What the Scout Costs vs a Fixed System
A fixed, professionally installed below-deck watermaker commonly runs $10,000 to $25,000 by the time installation labour, plumbing and electrical are included. The Scout starts at $4,899 AUD for the 10 LPH version and $5,799 for the 20 LPH. It uses the same commercial marine-grade components (Pumptec pump, standard 316 stainless fittings, seawater RO membrane) but ships from the Gold Coast with no overseas distributor margin. The parts are non-proprietary, widely available, and cheap to replace anywhere in the world.
Australian shipping is calculated at checkout. LEDI ships internationally from the Gold Coast; contact the team at info@ledi.com.au or +61 494 562 668 for a freight quote outside Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up a mini portable watermaker?
The Scout is designed to be making water in minutes. Drop the submersible feed pump over the side on its hose, connect the product water hose to your tank or jerry can, plug into a 12V source and start the pump. No tools, no plumbing, no installation required.
Can a mini portable watermaker handle river or brackish water, not just seawater?
Yes. The Scout handles seawater up to 35,000 ppm TDS and also treats brackish or river water. Lower-salinity source water generally results in higher output volume and longer membrane life, since the pump works at lower pressure.
How many litres per day can a 20 LPH portable watermaker realistically produce?
At 20 litres per hour, running two hours per day gives you 40 litres, which covers drinking and cooking for a small crew. Three hours produces 60 litres. The actual number depends on how long you run the unit, not on a theoretical daily rating.
Does a portable watermaker need a special solar setup?
No. A standard 12V house battery with 200 to 400W of solar panels handles the Scout's 16 to 18A draw without issue. You do not need a generator or a second dedicated battery bank in most setups. For more detail, see Running a Watermaker on Solar Power.
If you are ready to look at units or want to talk through your specific setup, contact the LEDI team directly at info@ledi.com.au or call +61 494 562 668. You will speak with a real person, not a call centre. Browse the full range at lediwatermaker.com.
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