Low power draw
400 W for the whole system, including the feed pump. That is about 33 A at 12V, compared with about 55 A for the Expedition, so it is easier on your batteries, solar and alternator charging.
Photos show a LEDI Modular kit. Your membrane layout and control option may look different.
Low-draw CAT watermaker for 12V and 24V systems
LEDI Modular Explorer
The lowest-draw CAT system in the LEDI Modular range: 30 L/h from 400 W total, about 33 A at 12V or 17 A at 24V. A CAT 2SF05SEEL plunger pump and one 2521 membrane suit boats and touring set-ups where battery capacity, not space, is the limit.
- Output
- 30 L/h
- Total power
- 400 W
- Pump
- CAT 2SF05SEEL
- Remote panel or local control on every model
- Built and supported on the Gold Coast
- Questions? Call +61 494 562 668
Before you buy, check space, power and source water
Space
Separate pump, filtration and membrane modules, plus the remote panel if you choose it. Each needs room for hoses, cables and service access.
Membrane layout1 × 2521
Module dimensionsSee installation planning
Power
Runs directly from your DC battery bank. Size cables, fuse and isolator for the current draw, and make sure your charging can keep up with your daily run time.
Voltage12V DC
Current drawAbout 33 A at 12 V
Total system power400 W
Source water
Designed for seawater up to 40,000 ppm and also handles brackish water. Feed-water limits: SDI below 5, up to 45 °C, free chlorine below 0.1 ppm, pH 2–11. For bore, dam or river water, talk to us first, because sediment, iron or other contaminants may need extra pre-treatment.
Do not use chlorinated town water. Chlorine damages RO membranes.
Why choose the Explorer
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Low-draw CAT watermaker for 12V and 24V systems
CAT plunger pump
The CAT 2SF05SEEL is a triplex plunger pump with a stainless-steel manifold, built for continuous high-pressure duty.
Choose 12V or 24V
Match the system to your battery bank instead of adding a converter.
Remote panel or local control
Choose the remote panel to put the gauges and pressure control at the helm, in a cabinet or inside your vehicle, or save $690 with local control on the membrane module.
Where the Explorer fits
Boats
Cruising yachts, catamarans and power boats with 12V or 24V systems
Large touring set-ups
Expedition vehicles and large caravans with strong battery and charging systems. Check space and power first, as it is not a typical 4×4 fit.
Off-grid
Cabins, remote camps and coastal properties
Module layout
Separate modules, installed where they fit
Each module mounts separately and connects with hoses and cables, so you can work around lockers, engine bays, canopies or plant rooms instead of finding space for one large cabinet.
1
High-pressure pump
CAT 2SF05SEEL with the feed pump. This module does the work, so mount it somewhere with ventilation and room for servicing.
2
Prefiltration
Cartridge filters that protect the pump and membrane. Mount them where you can reach them easily for cartridge changes.
3
Membrane & pressure vessel
Your selection: 1 × 2521. The 2540 vessel is 1,200 mm long, about 500 mm longer than the 695 mm 2521 vessel, so check the length you have available.
4
Remote control panel Option
Controls and instruments in one panel you mount at the helm, in a cabinet or inside your vehicle, away from the pump module. Or save $690 with local control: the gauges and needle valve sit on the membrane module and the pump switches go in a small 3D-printed switch module.
See it at true size
Try each module in your own space
Spin a module here. On your phone, tap View in your space to place it at true size in the locker, engine bay, canopy or plant room you have in mind, then check hose runs and service access.
The scale is locked to true size in AR. Drag with one finger to slide a module, twist with two to turn it. Works on recent iPhone and Android phones.
What's in the kit
What LEDI supplies, and what you plan
Supplied by LEDI
- Pump module: CAT 2SF05SEEL high-pressure plunger pump (316 stainless steel)
- Pump module: brushless continuous-duty feed pump, 1/2″ ID intake hose, intake sea strainer and full wiring loom
- Prefilter module: 20 µm and 5 µm pleated prefilters plus a 5 µm carbon block (all 2.5″ × 10″)
- Prefilter module: programmable auto-flush controller, 316 stainless non-return valves and pressure gauge
- Membrane module: one SW30 2521 RO membrane and housing, end caps, brine restrictor and mounting brackets, pre-charged with storage solution
- Remote control panel (remote panel option): high- and low-pressure gauges, needle valve, sample valve, flow meter, TDS meter and pump switches, with 1.5 m hoses
- Local control option: pressure relief valve, high-pressure gauge and needle valve on rigid tube at the membrane housing; low-pressure gauge on a push-fit line from the prefilter module; TDS sensor and flow meter inline on the product-water line; pump on/off switches in a 3D-printed switch module on the wiring loom
- Installation drawings and user manual
Standard protections
- Feed-pump dry-run protection
- Feed-pump blocked-port protection with automatic restart
- Programmable auto-flush to protect the membrane between runs
Planned for your installation
These items depend on your boat, vehicle or building, so you or your installer supply and fit them.
- Seawater or source-water inlet from your seacock or pickup (1/2″ ID hose)
- Freshwater flush connection from your pressure-water system (3/4″ BSP female)
- Brine outlet overboard or to a suitable drain (1/4″ push-fit tube)
- Product-water line to your tank (1/4″ push-fit tube)
- DC supply to the pump module: cable rated for up to 70 A, with fuse and isolator sized for your voltage
- Mounting surface and fasteners suited to your boat, vehicle or building
- Installation labour and commissioning (DIY or your installer)
Specifications
Specifications for Explorer · 12V · 1 × 2521 · Remote panel
| Model | LEDI Modular Explorer |
|---|---|
| High-pressure pump | CAT 2SF05SEEL |
| Voltage | 12V DC |
| Membrane layout | 1 × 2521 |
| Rated output | 30 L/hSeawater at 25 °C |
| Recommended operating pressure | 850 psi (59 bar) |
| Current draw | About 33 A at 12 V |
| Total system power (incl. feed pump) | 400 W |
| Controls | Remote control panel |
| SKU | LEDI-MOD-EXPLORER-12V-2521-RP |
Output depends on water temperature, salinity and operating conditions. Rated figures are measured under the conditions shown.
Installation planning
Plan the installation before you order
Membrane layout: 1 × 2521
Drawn to scale from LEDI’s installation drawings. Allow extra length for hose connections at each end.
Module dimensions (W × H × D)
| Pump module | 510 × 270 × 195 mm |
|---|---|
| Membrane vessel | 695 mm long × 80 mm Ø |
| Feed pump | Ø63 × 113 mm (200 mm wide with fittings) |
| Seawater inlet strainer | 120 × 130 mm |
| Prefilter module | 735 × 320 × 130 mm |
| Remote panel | 211 × 201 × 139 mm |
Installation space incl. service access
| Inter-module hoses | 1.5 m supplied (longer runs on request) |
|---|---|
| Remote panel | Within 1.5 m of the pump module |
| Suction head | 3 m vertical · 15 m horizontal |
Module weights
| Pump module (incl. feed pump) | 19 kg |
|---|---|
| Membrane vessel (2521) | 4.5 kg |
| Prefilter module | 4 kg |
| Remote panel | 5.5 kg |
| Seawater inlet kit (strainer and hose) | 2.5 kg |
| Total kit | 35.5 kg |
Shipping package
| Main carton | 800 × 400 × 300 mm · 50 kg |
|---|---|
| Total shipping weight | 50 kg |
How the modules connect
- Supplied by LEDI
- Planned and supplied for your installation
- Control and instrument lines
- DC power
Schematic only. Configuration-specific installation and wiring drawings are included in the documentation.
Documentation
Want to check the fit before ordering? Send us your measurements and we will review your layout.
Maintenance & support
Running and looking after your Explorer
Automatic freshwater flush
The prefilter module has a programmable auto-flush controller connected to your pressurised freshwater supply. After each run it draws fresh water through the carbon block, which removes chlorine, and across the membrane to clear residual seawater. It can also be set to flush at 1, 3 or 7-day intervals while the watermaker is not in use.
Maintenance
| Every 3–6 months | Replace the 20 µm and 5 µm pleated prefilters (standard 2.5″ × 10″) |
|---|---|
| Every 6 months | Replace the 5 µm carbon block (2.5″ × 10″) |
| Every 2–3 years | Replace the RO membrane (SW30 2521), with regular auto-flushing |
| As needed | CAT pump service kit, stocked by LEDI |
Gold Coast support
LEDI builds and supports its watermakers on the Gold Coast. Talk to us about choosing a configuration, planning your installation, commissioning or finding replacement parts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the remote panel?
It's optional. The remote panel puts the gauges, pressure control and water-quality readouts in one place you can reach easily, such as the helm, a cabinet or inside your vehicle. With local control, the high-pressure gauge, pressure relief valve and needle valve sit on the membrane module, the low-pressure gauge connects to the prefilter, the TDS sensor and flow meter fit inline on the product-water line, and the pump switches are in a 3D-printed switch module you can mount wherever is convenient. Choose local control to save $690 if the membrane module will be within easy reach.
What does the 400 W figure include?
It's the total for the whole system, including the feed pump. That's about 33 A at 12V or 17 A at 24V, so size your battery and charging to suit your daily run time.
Can I install it myself?
Many owners do. Installation involves mounting, plumbing, wiring and commissioning. Follow the supplied manual and use a qualified marine or auto electrician for any wiring you are not confident with.
What water can it treat?
It is designed for seawater and also handles brackish water. For bore, dam or river water, talk to us first because sediment, iron or other contaminants may need extra pre-treatment. Never feed it chlorinated town water: chlorine damages RO membranes.
What should I check before ordering?
Your DC voltage, battery capacity and charging, the space for each module including service access, and the routes for intake, brine discharge, product water, freshwater flush, hoses and cables. Send us measurements and we will check the fit.
Compare the LEDI Modular range: Compact, Explorer, Expedition and Outpost →