Water Softener

[G Schulz]

I was thinking about installing a water softener in my MH. How many people have put them in and are you happy with the results. I don't know much about them so if anyone knows which brand is better than another that would be helpful as well.


2009 Safari Cheetah 40'
350 HP Cat
2014 Ford Focus
Air Force One

[palehorse89]

Here is many other thread on the water softener's to read through while waiting for others to chime in https://www.google.com/search?q=wate...com&gws_rd=ssl

[Docschro98]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Here is many other thread on the water softener's to read through while waiting for others to chime in https://www.google.com/search?q=wate...com&gws_rd=ssl

Hope this pic uploaded properly. I installed a travelsoft softener. I used quality hoses fro the rvwaterfilterstore.com. The travelsoft was chosen because of the valve on the head of the unit and the use of a wye and washer hoses eliminated the need to connect or disconnect hose while regenerating the unit. The unit can also be placed in a bypass mode when desired. Great unit and an onboard install leaves no worry about theft although I'm not one to much worry about that. It was a convenience thing for me. I am a plumber by the way so easy peasy it was hut you should not have. A problem duplicating my efforts.

[Selah]

We have an "On the Go" water softener. It uses common table salt to regenerate and works very well for us. Ours is the smaller of the two models and requires regeneration about every two-three weeks depending on the incoming water hardness.
There is another brand that worksthe same as ours, I just don't remember the name.

[Old-Biscuit]

On-The-GO
PurFlo
WaterStick

SAME_SAME..just different names/companies

All use a 'resin beads' that attracts calcium/magnesium minerals in water supply (hard water) until beads are coated then salt solution is used to release the minerals for reuse.

8000 grain Unit will treat 800 gallons of 100ppb hardness water before needing a 'regen'

Regen takes roughly a 20 minute soak of 'brine' solution and then a 15 minute or so rinse. Then unit can be placed back in service to treat incoming water source.

We purchased one 8 yrs ago prior to going FT traveling. 2 adults normal usage I would have to regen after 10-14 days of use.
Used it mostly in SW USA (AZ, NM, TX)

Works very well...........buy the one that is on sale. SAME-SAME

[tankcj]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

On-The-GO
PurFlo
WaterStick

SAME_SAME..just different names/companies

All use a 'resin beads' that attracts calcium/magnesium minerals in water supply (hard water) until beads are coated then salt solution is used to release the minerals for reuse.

8000 grain Unit will treat 800 gallons of 100ppb hardness water before needing a 'regen'

Regen takes roughly a 20 minute soak of 'brine' solution and then a 15 minute or so rinse. Then unit can be placed back in service to treat incoming water source.

We purchased one 8 yrs ago prior to going FT traveling. 2 adults normal usage I would have to regen after 10-14 days of use.
Used it mostly in SW USA (AZ, NM, TX)

Works very well...........buy the one that is on sale. SAME-SAME

X2...get the cheapest one. I went with the FloPur RV PRO 10000...on sale for $173 right now. Works great but their regeneration instructions don't work for me. I have to actually add the salt to some water to get a brine then dump out about half the water in the unit and refill with the brine. Let it set for about 30 minutes while shaking/tipping the unit every 10 minutes or so to get the brine solution throughout the resin beads. it appears to last longer in between regenerations this way (again for me).

[dpinvidic]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

On-The-GO
PurFlo
WaterStick

SAME_SAME..just different names/companies

All use a 'resin beads' that attracts calcium/magnesium minerals in water supply (hard water) until beads are coated then salt solution is used to release the minerals for reuse.

8000 grain Unit will treat 800 gallons of 100ppb hardness water before needing a 'regen'

Regen takes roughly a 20 minute soak of 'brine' solution and then a 15 minute or so rinse. Then unit can be placed back in service to treat incoming water source.

We purchased one 8 yrs ago prior to going FT traveling. 2 adults normal usage I would have to regen after 10-14 days of use.
Used it mostly in SW USA (AZ, NM, TX)

Works very well...........buy the one that is on sale. SAME-SAME

Actually they are not all the same regarding re-generation. I can see where the valves on the Travelsoft would make it easy to re-gen.

I plumbed mine using PEX, and had to mount it in the small storage bay next to the wet bay because it was so tall.

For me to Re-gen, I disconnect the inflow hose (it is a hand tighten fitting) and connect a line with a funnel.
I installed a "Winterizing valve" (two way valve) on the outlet. Turning this valve allows it to drain to the outside.

Then pour brine into the inlet side (3lb salt/gal).let it sit....then flush.

I definitely recommend a permanent install, and some kind of valve set-up to make re-gen easy.

Regards,

Dan

[Cat320]

Depends on where you are going. We go to the Gulf Coast...water is so soft there, you can't get the soap off in the shower or even washing your hands.

[Elwood58]

We use the PurFlo 10000 with a standard inline filter right before it. I just set it up next to the MH when we get there. Recharges with a couple of boxes of table salt. It works well. I use the test strips to tell me when it is time to recharge.

[TandI Travel]

I have had a water softener for 3 years now and today went to put the salt in and noticed I have green algae in it. I've disconnected it and waiting for a reply from the manufacturer. It does sit in the direct sunlight in Arizona. Anyone else have or had this problem and how did you take care of it?

[Ludmilla]

I also use the PurFlo 10000. I have a sediment filter and charcoal filter before it. It uses table salt. It works very well for us. We are out west and the water can be very hard. It has stopped all the spotting and scale.

[super_rep]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

On-The-GO
PurFlo
WaterStick

SAME_SAME..just different names/companies

All use a 'resin beads' that attracts calcium/magnesium minerals in water supply (hard water) until beads are coated then salt solution is used to release the minerals for reuse.

8000 grain Unit will treat 800 gallons of 100ppb hardness water before needing a 'regen'

Regen takes roughly a 20 minute soak of 'brine' solution and then a 15 minute or so rinse. Then unit can be placed back in service to treat incoming water source.

We purchased one 8 yrs ago prior to going FT traveling. 2 adults normal usage I would have to regen after 10-14 days of use.
Used it mostly in SW USA (AZ, NM, TX)

Works very well...........buy the one that is on sale. SAME-SAME

Your math and terminology is a bit off. Hardness is measured in MG/L(milligrams per liter), GPG(grains/gallon, or ppm (parts per million), not ppb (parts per billion - unless your looking at ultra pure water). 1 grain/gallon hardness is equal to 17.1 ppm. Therefore if the water is 100 ppm hardness, your 8000 grain unit will produce 1368 gallons of soft water between regenerations.

Like you, I also use water softener. It prevents the scale around the fixtures and scaling up of the inside of the water heater. Besides, I can't stand the feel of the soap when taking a shower in hard water.

[lady puffin]

Do to BP problems, is there a softer that doesn't use table salt to recharge with? Would like to get something as we tend to travel alot in the southwest.

[firedoc]

You can use potassium chloride, don't know if it would be any better for you but eliminated the sodium.