Head to head · updated 5 September 2026

Rainman Portable 12VDC 34L vs Schenker Zen 50

Zen 50 costs 2.6× less energy per litre (4.8 against 12.7 Wh/L). Zen 50 makes 1.6× the water per hour (50 against 31.5 L/hr). Portable 12VDC 34L is about $2,902 cheaper on indicative pricing.

SpecPortable 12VDC 34LZen 50
BrandRainmanSchenker
Output26–37 L/hr50 L/hr
Power draw400 W240 W
Energy per litre12.7 Wh/L4.8 Wh/L
Run time for 100 L3.2 h2.0 h
Energy for 100 L1,270 Wh480 Wh
Power source12V DC12/24V DC
ConfigurationPortableModular
Membranes1 × 40in2 × 2.5×21in
Indicative price$4,898$7,800
Efficiency rank23 of 306 of 30

Highlighted cells mark the better figure on that row alone. Lower is better for energy, run time and price; higher is better for output.

Buy the Portable 12VDC 34L if…

The purchase price matters more to you than the running cost; you want to lift the whole thing off the boat between trips.

Get a quote on the Portable 12VDC 34L

Buy the Zen 50 if…

Your boat runs on solar and every watt-hour is spoken for, because this is the cheaper litre to make; you want tanks full in the shortest possible run, or you have a genset that is going to run anyway; you have no generator and no intention of fitting one.

Get a quote on the Zen 50

Common questions

Which is more efficient, the Portable 12VDC 34L or the Zen 50?
The Zen 50, at 4.8 watt-hours per litre against 12.7. Over 100 litres a day that is a difference of about 790 Wh.
Which makes more water, the Portable 12VDC 34L or the Zen 50?
The Zen 50, at 50 L/hr against 31.5. That is 1.6 times the output per hour running.
Which is cheaper?
On indicative pricing the Portable 12VDC 34L at $4,898, about $2,902 less than the other. Both figures exclude freight, duty and installation, and Australian dealer pricing normally reads higher.
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