Mod - Water Softener Install

[Dutch Star Don]

After having to clean my faucets and shower head a few times, I decided it was time for a water softener.

The issue.....no place to install it and I know that I would soon get tired of dragging it in and out and connecting it. With a bad back, I found it was
pretty HEAVY. I finally found a solution that worked for me.

On my coach, I didn't order a tray in the only the pass thru bay on a 4018 model. Instead, I ordered a tray in the 3/4 Oasis bay. My mod won't work for those who did order a tray in the 4018 pass thru bay, but will work for those who have two pass thru bays and only one tray.

I mounted the "On The Go" double standard size water softener (10" diameter x 22" tall) in the corner of the pass thru bay on the driver's side, closest to the bay door latch. I just used a simple strap to secure it to the wall.

I started to use pvc to run the water lines from the hose reel to the pass thru bay, but realized the 5/8" tubing (Home Depot) that Newmar uses in the wet bay was much easier. The only issue was routing the hose out of the water bay. On my coach, there is a light on the left wall of the water bay. I removed the light and drilled two 7/8" holes through the wall and into the power cord reel bay. Once that was done, it was easy to feed the hoses along the roof of the bays, right to the water softener.

I connected the water softener by adding garden hose ends to the 5/8" tubing and then used quick connects. I can remove the lid to add salt with the tank in the bay, or quickly disconnect it and remove the tank completely if necessary.

Al the 5/8" fitting were found at Home Depot.

In the photos, there is a "T" in the input water line. I installed that previously. The "T" is connected to a hose that runs over to the black tank flush. It has an inline ball valve and I use a quick connect to connect it to the flush when needed. This way, water going to my tank flush neither runs through the softener of the water filter.

[96Bounder1st]

Very nice. I have the same softener and it is a pain in the back to haul in and out. I haven’t mounted it yet but have plans to mount in Aquahot bay as there is room in front of water pump.
Haven’t worked up ambition yet and as winter approaches will leave till next spring.
Now that I have seen your solution I can carry on with my plan also.

Terry

[Dutchstar411]

Nice job Don, simple and clean. And you're right, I stopped using mine back when I still had the 2002 DSDP simply because of taking it out and putting it back every time we got to our campsite.

[MikeyG]

Nice mod Don.
I hate yanking that thing in and out of the cargo bay, but I have the slide in the bay, so I'll have to figure something else out.
Thanks for posting.
Mike

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Nice mod Don.
I hate yanking that thing in and out of the cargo bay, but I have the slide in the bay, so I'll have to figure something else out.
Thanks for posting.
Mike

Actually, it would be easier (shorter run) to install it in the 3/4 Oasis bay if you don't have a slide there. I'm guessing it will only need to be serviced once a year, at east for us. Just pull it out of that bay to service and replace. It could be attached to the Oasis barrier wall.

[richpatty]

I really like this idea! My only concern would be chances of leaking at the connection points on the softener (I have the same softener). Maybe put a pan under it?

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by richpatty

I really like this idea! My only concern would be chances of leaking at the connection points on the softener (I have the same softener). Maybe put a pan under it?

The water softener had some bad reviews for leaking at the connection point. I think that is often just people not tightening them enough or using a sealer if necessary.

Newmar uses the same tubing for their connections in the wet bay. I used pex clamps on all the connections. Pretty easy to check when connecting the water and power.

[MikeyG]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Actually, it would be easier (shorter run) to install it in the 3/4 Oasis bay if you don't have a slide there. I'm guessing it will only need to be serviced once a year, at east for us. Just pull it out of that bay to service and replace. It could be attached to the Oasis barrier wall.

I thought of that too Don, but you know TL. He loads up his stock coaches with all the options so we have a slide try in that 3/4 bay. I'll have to crawl around and see if I can find some space to mount it or just remove the slide tray. Maybe the smaller softener tank would give me more flexibility. Added to the list of DS mods to do.

PS: Got the Magnashade ordered and dimensions confirmed. Now the wait begins. Thanks for the help.
Mike

[Dutch Star Don]

I looked at putting it in the battery tray, on mine there is space on both sides of the tray. The large didn't fit, but the smaller On the Go will. It's a another good spot for the tank. It would have been my first choice for tank location. I ordered the larger one and initially intended to drag it out each time, until I lifted it.....

When we custom ordered our 2019 through Tom, somehow the one slide tray in the 3/4 bay got missed on the order. Probably my fault. I knew I wanted one and may not have conveyed that in the final write up. We were able to go the factory and watch our coach get built. On the third day, I saw everyone had trays installed, except mine. I brought it to Newmar's attention, they said it wasn't on the order. I called Tom....sure enough we missed it. By the time my coach arrived, Tom had a tray ordered and at the shop waiting for me. Most dealers would have forgotten or blown it off.

[MikeyG]

Yep, you're right Don. So happy with Tom, Mike, and Scotty.
I do drain the softener before I stow it and that does help with the weight. Just another fun mod to think about.

[Winepress]

I looked at the softener options and space required but I’m not crazy about that soft water feeling. Decided to go with a RO system from RV Water Filter Store. Less space and no water spots when washing the coach. I followed David Botts setup. It’s a dual membrane system that’s very efficient with water.

https://outsideourbubble.com/full-co...onight-7pm-et/

[BBelanger]

For this coach, I just went with the smaller size. I don't need to use it often, especially on the East Coast and it's not a bother to take it out and back in when I dump. Quick connectors make it quick and simple when needed. I check my water with a TDS meter before I connect.

[Steve70-5]

I purchased the large one, wish I would had bought the smaller one for ease of moving it around. Just would have to recharge it sooner. Still don’t know when I need to recharge?

[sramer]

I actually modified my wet bay to fit mine in because I have sliders in all the bays.