Head to head · updated 5 September 2026

Schenker Zen 100 vs Rainman Portable AC 140L

Zen 100 costs 2.5× less energy per litre (4.0 against 9.8 Wh/L). Portable AC 140L makes 1.3× the water per hour (127 against 100 L/hr). Portable AC 140L is about $4,271 cheaper on indicative pricing.

SpecZen 100Portable AC 140L
BrandSchenkerRainman
Output100 L/hr100–154 L/hr
Power draw400 W1,250 W
Energy per litre4.0 Wh/L9.8 Wh/L
Run time for 100 L1.0 h0.8 h
Energy for 100 L400 Wh984 Wh
Power source12/24/48V DC or ACAC 240V
ConfigurationModularPortable
Membranes2 × 4×21in2 × 40in
Indicative price$9,600$5,329
Efficiency rank2 of 3010 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 Zen 100 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 100

Buy the Portable AC 140L 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 140L

Common questions

Which is more efficient, the Zen 100 or the Portable AC 140L?
The Zen 100, at 4.0 watt-hours per litre against 9.8. Over 100 litres a day that is a difference of about 584 Wh.
Which makes more water, the Zen 100 or the Portable AC 140L?
The Portable AC 140L, at 127 L/hr against 100. That is 1.3 times the output per hour running.
Which is cheaper?
On indicative pricing the Portable AC 140L at $5,329, about $4,271 less than the other. Both figures exclude freight, duty and installation, and Australian dealer pricing normally reads higher.
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