Water softener Installation (Easy DIY Project)

[Coral]

I purchased the largest water softener that would fit in between my Oasis boiler and Oasis distribution panel. It produces 16 Gains water. I used 3/4" Sharkbite hose adapters for easy removal if required down the road. I drilled two one inch holes to access wet bay. The 3/4" Sharkbite hose goes to from the hose reel via PEX to the water softener to Sharkbite 3/4" hoses in and out of water softener via PEX and then reused the 3/4" Sharkbite check valve and a PEX to hose adapter back into the existing braided 3/4" Nylon hose.



Parts list:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Vendor will give you free shipping if you ask for it.


Lowes: 10' 3/4" PEX tubing, 2 - 3/4" x 2" brass nipples, 1 - 3/4" PEX hose X hose coupling


There is a carpet covered wood panel that covers this up that needs to be installed yet. I left it off of so you could see installation.

[Canuck53]

Originally Posted by Coral

I purchased the largest water softener that would fit in between my Oasis boiler and Oasis distribution panel. It produces 16 Gains water. I used 3/4" Sharkbite hose adapters for easy removal if required down the road. I drilled two one inch holes to access wet bay. The 3/4" Sharkbite hose goes to from the hose reel via PEX to the water softener to Sharkbite 3/4" hoses in and out of water softener via PEX and then reused the 3/4" Sharkbite check valve and a PEX to hose adapter back into the existing braided 3/4" Nylon hose.



Parts list:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Vendor will give you free shipping if you ask for it.


Lowes: 10' 3/4" PEX tubing, 2 - 3/4" x 2" brass nipples, 1 - 3/4" PEX hose X hose coupling


There is a carpet covered wood panel that covers this up that needs to be installed yet. I left it off of so you could see installation.

How do you plan to regenerate?

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by Coral

I purchased the largest water softener that would fit in between my Oasis boiler and Oasis distribution panel. It produces 16 Gains water. I used 3/4" Sharkbite hose adapters for easy removal if required down the road. I drilled two one inch holes to access wet bay. The 3/4" Sharkbite hose goes to from the hose reel via PEX to the water softener to Sharkbite 3/4" hoses in and out of water softener via PEX and then reused the 3/4" Sharkbite check valve and a PEX to hose adapter back into the existing braided 3/4" Nylon hose.



Parts list:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Vendor will give you free shipping if you ask for it.


Lowes: 10' 3/4" PEX tubing, 2 - 3/4" x 2" brass nipples, 1 - 3/4" PEX hose X hose coupling


There is a carpet covered wood panel that covers this up that needs to be installed yet. I left it off of so you could see installation.

I'm impressed and would like to do something like this but the unit needing to be removed every few weeks to re charge has stopped me. How often will you need to recharge and how easy is it to remove to do so?
I have left my 18 grain unit outside because of this need to access.

[FlaRider]

You timing is perfect for this thread. I was just looking into adding a water softener and a second water filter.

Did you take the face plate off in the wetbay? I was think to place it somewhere that you can get to it for regeneration or when in an area with hard water hook it up to fill the tank and then just use the fresh water tank.

[Coral]

Originally Posted by Canuck53

How do you plan to regenerate?

The manufacture told me to use this method: I have a large whole house water filter that has a dip tube installed instead of a filter. The housing will be filled with 4 pounds of table salt and then run for an hour or so at a low flow rate to complete the regeneration.



In the event I need to service the resin the Sharkbite 3/4" hoses disconnect quickly and then I can slide the unit out.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Coral

The manufacture told me to use this method: I have a large whole house water filter that has a dip tube installed instead of a filter. The housing will be filled with 4 pounds of table salt and then run for an hour or so at a low flow rate to complete the regeneration.

Don't you have to provide a place for the 'regeneration water' to go other than your fresh water tank? Don't get me wrong. I'll be following this thread closely because this is a very common need for RV'ers, and the potential for high impact for all is great. You've actually identified a key element - where to put the darn tank in a vehicle where space is hugely at a premium. Just have to figure out the plumbing...

[Coral]

Originally Posted by FlaRider

You timing is perfect for this thread. I was just looking into adding a water softener and a second water filter.

Did you take the face plate off in the wetbay? I was think to place it somewhere that you can get to it for regeneration or when in an area with hard water hook it up to fill the tank and then just use the fresh water tank.

My unit uses the external method of regeneration. The pictures above are the actual installation. (No pictures of regen water filter)



I use two water filters on my coach. The OEM unit installed by Newmar and primary unit that is at the water facet.


Primary filter is 5 micron and also use for regen. OEM house filter is 1 micron.

[Coral]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Don't you have to provide a place for the 'regeneration water' to go other than your fresh water tank? Don't get me wrong. I'll be following this thread closely because this is a very common need for RV'ers, and the potential for high impact for all is great. You've actually identified a key element - where to put the darn tank in a vehicle where space is hugely at a premium. Just have to figure out the plumbing...

Regen water would never enter my fresh water tank.


The regen is done with shore water and passes right through the bathroom sink and down the drain through the grey and down the sewer. After an hour or so of slow flow I check water for saltiness, and it's done. Pretty painless.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Coral

The regen is done with shore water and passes right through the bathroom sink and down the drain through the grey and down the sewer. After an hour or so of slow flow I check water for saltiness, and it's done. Pretty painless.

Nice. That’s way simpler than I had envisioned. Guess the only danger is the chance to over run your gray tank capacity, and if your hooked up to sewer, just open ‘er up and rip. With additional connections and valving, there’s always the risk of leaks.

[Coral]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Nice. That’s way simpler than I had envisioned. Guess the only danger is the chance to over run your gray tank capacity, and if your hooked up to sewer, just open ‘er up and rip. With additional connections and valving, there’s always the risk of leaks.

I agree, KISS method.

[brucev]

Really nice job!

[Canuck53]

Originally Posted by Coral

The manufacture told me to use this method: I have a large whole house water filter that has a dip tube installed instead of a filter. The housing will be filled with 4 pounds of table salt and then run for an hour or so at a low flow rate to complete the regeneration.



In the event I need to service the resin the Sharkbite 3/4" hoses disconnect quickly and then I can slide the unit out.

Thanks.

Can all water softeners be regenerated that way?

[Coral]

Originally Posted by Canuck53

Thanks.

Can all water softeners be regenerated that way?

Most of the manual regeneration type softeners where you physically add salt yourself can use this method. The softener does not care where you introduce the salt water, what matters is salt water contact time with the resin at a high salinity. This is a great method for people like us that have limit installation options.

[kpecks]

Originally Posted by Coral

Most of the manual regeneration type softeners where you physically add salt yourself can use this method. The softener does not care where you introduce the salt water, what matters is salt water contact time with the resin at a high salinity. This is a great method for people like us that have limit installation options.

So you just add salt to the primary (external) filter without the filter element and run low flow water for a while w the sink on and that recharges the softener? Looking at options for filtration for my coach without too much mod and this seems very easy to do...