Water Softener Install

[roger8070]

We are getting ready to order a MA 4118. We want to install an automatic water softener in the door side bay 3 (next to tanks) near the baggage door. We would not be getting a slide tray there. Am concerned about access from one bay to another. How difficult would it be to run a drain line to the grey tank, and supply/return lines to the wet bay water filter from the opposite side.
Thanks

[johnbro27]

Originally Posted by roger8070

We are getting ready to order a MA 4118. We want to install an automatic water softener in the door side bay 3 (next to tanks) near the baggage door. We would not be getting a slide tray there. Am concerned about access from one bay to another. How difficult would it be to run a drain line to the grey tank, and supply/return lines to the wet bay water filter from the opposite side.
Thanks

Sounds complicated and I have to wonder why you would feel you want to do this? Portable units are not only easy and quick to set up, but simple to back flush and recharge when needed. Big changes like this will potentially make your coach harder to sell when the time comes--we looked at a MADP that had taken away a bay in order to install an auxiliary fuel tank which was from our POV not only unnecessary, but a big negative as it added weight and took away storage. Cheers.

[roger8070]

Not complicated at all. The softener is now installed in my present coach. When I remove it all that will be left are 3 capped hose ends. The cargo space can be used as intended. I live in a hard water area where the softener must be generated every 2 weeks, so not having to mess with it is great. Plus not having to haul the tank in and out of the bay every stop. In fact Entegra is now roughing in water lines in their coaches, so it must not be a ridiculous idea. YMMV!

[Dutch Star Don]

I did what you want to do. I have a bad back and I knew it wouldn't be long before I got tired of pulling out the double size "On the Go" softener. We typically only stay 2-3 days at a spot and move on.

We ordered our coach with a 3/4 slide in the bay you want to use, so we couldn't put it there. On mine, we placed it in the driver's side pass thru bay (no slide) right up to the door opening. I ran the hosing to and from the wet bay water line through the top of the two bays (ceiling).

I bought a metal pie pan on Amazon that was a few inches larger in diameter than the water softener and used that as a base, picture water heater drain pain. I added a small drain nose to the pan and ran it through a hole I drilled in the bay door frame under the rubber seal. If it were to leak, it will drain out the side.

I used good quality brass disconnects and can quickly/easily remove it for regeneration. I also added a strap to the bay wall that holds it in place.

[roger8070]

Thanks. That is what I wanted to know - that it was possible to run water lines from one bay to another and access connections in the wet bay.

[Country Road]

I’m sure you’ll find RV water softeners all over the place.

I chose a compartment on the opposite side from the wet bay in between my kitchen and bath slides.

Like was said, on my coach there is no slide to duck under. Mine also is a double OTG. I have a stainless pan under the softener and use a $15 Watchdog water alarm to sense for leaks. Sufficient hose is used so it can be easily lifted over the threshold and backwashed by removing only the out hose.

[newbie 2021]

Mine is Bluetooth and regernetates on demand. Brine tanks holds about 20 lbs of pellet salt. I cut the line going to the water filter and ran it thru a 10x4” filter then to water softer and back to the onboard filter. I taped into the vent pipe a couple inches obove the gray tank for disharge

[richpatty]

Originally Posted by newbie 2021

Mine is Bluetooth and regernetates on demand. Brine tanks holds about 20 lbs of pellet salt. I cut the line going to the water filter and ran it thru a 10x4” filter then to water softer and back to the onboard filter. I taped into the vent pipe a couple inches obove the gray tank for disharge

That sounds cool. What brand?

[StuartS]

Originally Posted by newbie 2021

Mine is Bluetooth and regernetates on demand. Brine tanks holds about 20 lbs of pellet salt. I cut the line going to the water filter and ran it thru a 10x4” filter then to water softer and back to the onboard filter. I taped into the vent pipe a couple inches obove the gray tank for disharge

Is that the Traxx Smart Mini Water Softener ???

[roger8070]

Yes that is the app (Legacy View) that controls the Traxx softener via bluetooth.

[FledCali]

Originally Posted by roger8070

Yes that is the app (Legacy View) that controls the Traxx softener via bluetooth.

How did you get the discharge line into the grey tank?

[MRJEB]

I too have done a permanent install. I went with two mini units by https://stainlesswaterfilters.com installed in series in my wet bay under the water pump as shown in the first picture. I get between 750-1000 gallons between regens. Regen configuration is shown in the bottom picture.





I wish Newmar would offer softeners as a factory option - we all fight this problem.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I did what you want to do. I have a bad back and I knew it wouldn't be long before I got tired of pulling out the double size "On the Go" softener. We typically only stay 2-3 days at a spot and move on.

We ordered our coach with a 3/4 slide in the bay you want to use, so we couldn't put it there. On mine, we placed it in the driver's side pass thru bay (no slide) right up to the door opening. I ran the hosing to and from the wet bay water line through the top of the two bays (ceiling).

I bought a metal pie pan on Amazon that was a few inches larger in diameter than the water softener and used that as a base, picture water heater drain pain. I added a small drain nose to the pan and ran it through a hole I drilled in the bay door frame under the rubber seal. If it were to leak, it will drain out the side.

I used good quality brass disconnects and can quickly/easily remove it for regeneration. I also added a strap to the bay wall that holds it in place.

This is much the same as I did on mine. I used a water heater pan that I modified so it would not take as much space. I used flexible vinyl hose to run the water lines from the wet bay around the Aqua Hot bay. I also replaced the single filter canister with a triple so I now have sediment, carbon, and metals filters.

[roger8070]

Originally Posted by FledCali

How did you get the discharge line into the grey tank?

This is the fixture I used. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was tight to place the tank fitting but it has worked well. Also used this check valve in the discharge line.

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