Most people first encounter portable watermakers like the LEDI Scout on sailboats — a compact, robust desalination system that quietly turns seawater into fresh, drinkable water wherever the wind takes you. Yet the same technology can transform life far beyond the marina. From deserts to disaster zones, the Scout is redefining what off-grid means.
Fresh water is heavy — a single litre weighs a full kilogram. On remote overlanding trips or desert rallies, carrying hundreds of litres adds enormous weight and limits range.
With a Scout onboard, travellers can draw from brackish wells, tidal creeks, or coastal inlets, converting them into safe, potable water using only a 12-volt or 24-volt DC power source. The system produces around 20 litres per hour while drawing just 20 amps at 12 V, or roughly 240 watts — easily handled by a modest solar setup or vehicle battery.
Because the Scout can process salt, brackish, or lightly contaminated fresh water, it gives explorers true freedom: refill from a river mouth one day and the open ocean the next.
In the aftermath of cyclones, floods or tsunamis, clean water is often the first thing to run out. Portable reverse-osmosis (RO) systems have proven invaluable in emergencies from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to Hurricane Maria (2017), where small desalination units supplied stranded communities (WHO & UNICEF JMP, 2019).
The LEDI Scout’s rugged marine-grade construction — anodised fittings, corrosion-resistant stainless hardware and reinforced pressure hoses — means it can survive harsh field conditions. Its low-voltage DC operation allows it to run from car batteries, portable solar generators or even small wind turbines, providing life-saving water without depending on fuel logistics.
Scientists working in remote coastal or island field stations often rely on bottled water or infrequent resupply flights. The Scout changes that equation.
Producing 20 litres of fresh water per hour, it can keep a small research team hydrated and supply lab work without the need for bulk transport. Because the system is fully field-serviceable — using standard 10-inch pre-filters and off-the-shelf RO membranes — it can be maintained on site with minimal tools.
Field teams studying coral bleaching, seabird colonies or mangrove restoration can operate longer and lighter, reducing both cost and carbon footprint.
In coastal or island communities, brackish groundwater and seasonal droughts make water security a daily concern. The Scout’s ability to purify both seawater and contaminated fresh water makes it ideal for off-grid homes, cabins and tiny houses.
When paired with solar panels or a 24-V battery bank, it provides a steady, renewable source of drinking water — even in areas where rainwater catchment is unreliable. Its compact, 25 kg form factor and plug-and-play connections make installation simple, and the modular layout means every component is accessible for inspection or replacement.
In low-lying coastal farms, saltwater intrusion is an increasing threat. A small-scale RO system like the Scout can supply clean irrigation water for high-value crops or hydroponic setups.
At 20 L / h, it’s not intended to irrigate entire paddocks, but for controlled agriculture — seed propagation, nursery crops, aquaponics — it offers a practical, sustainable source of low-salinity water. The Scout’s energy efficiency and portability make it a valuable demonstration tool for sustainable farming and water-recycling research.
What sets the LEDI Scout apart isn’t just its performance — it’s the philosophy behind it.
Rugged construction: corrosion-proof frame, marine-grade fittings, reinforced hoses, and shock-resistant mounts.
Serviceability: every component can be swapped in the field with basic tools; no proprietary parts.
Versatility: designed for salt, brackish, or fresh feedwater, depending on what nature provides.
Efficiency: produces 20 litres per hour using just 20 A @ 12 V — perfect for solar, DC, or vehicle systems.
This is the same dependable technology trusted by ocean cruisers — simply untethered from the sea.
LEDI designed the Scout for sailors, but its portability and efficiency make it a quiet revolution in off-grid living. Whether supporting aid missions, researchers, or overland adventurers, it turns salt and sunlight into survival.
Beyond the boat, the horizon truly is the limit.