Head to head · updated 5 September 2026

Rainman Portable AC 70L vs Schenker Zen 50

Zen 50 costs 4.1× less energy per litre (4.8 against 19.7 Wh/L). Portable AC 70L makes 1.3× the water per hour (63.5 against 50 L/hr). Portable AC 70L is about $2,504 cheaper on indicative pricing.

SpecPortable AC 70LZen 50
BrandRainmanSchenker
Output50–77 L/hr50 L/hr
Power draw1,250 W240 W
Energy per litre19.7 Wh/L4.8 Wh/L
Run time for 100 L1.6 h2.0 h
Energy for 100 L1,969 Wh480 Wh
Power sourceAC 240V12/24V DC
ConfigurationPortableModular
Membranes2 × 21in2 × 2.5×21in
Indicative price$5,296$7,800
Efficiency rank29 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 AC 70L if…

You want tanks full in the shortest possible run, or you have a genset that is going to run anyway; 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 AC 70L

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 have no generator and no intention of fitting one.

Get a quote on the Zen 50

Common questions

Which is more efficient, the Portable AC 70L or the Zen 50?
The Zen 50, at 4.8 watt-hours per litre against 19.7. Over 100 litres a day that is a difference of about 1,489 Wh.
Which makes more water, the Portable AC 70L or the Zen 50?
The Portable AC 70L, at 63.5 L/hr against 50. That is 1.3 times the output per hour running.
Which is cheaper?
On indicative pricing the Portable AC 70L at $5,296, about $2,504 less than the other. Both figures exclude freight, duty and installation, and Australian dealer pricing normally reads higher.
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