Community Forums

NY Camper 86 · 06-01-2016, 12:54 PM

Hello!! I have been full timing for about 2 years. I have been using the basic camco water filter. But the water at the place I stay the most the water is super hard. Had to switch shampoo etc. Is there a better way to help the hard water? Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

Clay L · 06-01-2016, 01:15 PM

I have the FloPur Mark 8000.
Cost is $220 and includes shipping if bought from the site above. Regeneration is done with a box of common table salt.
It is similar to others like the "On-The-Go" water softener which is the one Camping World sells I believe.

Both are 8000 grain units which means they will last longer than those with smaller numbers without requiring regeneration. Some folks use "Water Sticks" but the biggest one of those I have seen is only 1500 grains. The 10,000 grain units will last even longer before needing regeneration.

In AZ where we spent most of the winter the water hardness is about 50 grains per gallon. That means that an 8000 grain unit will soften about 160 gallons before needing to be regenerated. Since we use about 13 gallons of water per day we have to regenerate every 12 days or so.

In our home in CO we have a water hardness of 20 GPG, there the softener will last about a month.

NY Camper 86 · 06-01-2016, 01:24 PM

Ok great. Where would that hook up to the camper?

brobox · 06-01-2016, 01:29 PM

On the Go is another brand, they all do the same job. The softener connects at the water hose connection, then the hose the camper to the "out" side of the softener. Lots of videos on line. On The Go® | Portable Water Softeners Usually Amazon has the best price, but Camping World has them on sale right now. Both brands are good, a box of table salt for regeneration is the way to go.

Stealth01 · 06-01-2016, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Camper 86

Ok great. Where would that hook up to the camper?

We use a Flow-Pur RV Pro 10,000, we hook it up at the water faucet, after our pressure regulator and then the coach water line connects to it. System works great to soften the water!

Old-Biscuit · 06-01-2016, 05:50 PM

Been using our 8000 grain On-The-Go portable water softener since 2007 (7 yrs was FT)

2 adults..........typically had to regen it every 10 days.
On-The-Go, FloPur, Water Stick are common units for RVrs

Shop for BEST price..........they all do the same/work the same etc.

flaggship1 · 06-01-2016, 05:52 PM

Mine went in the bay next to the water bay.

Winepress · 06-01-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flaggship1

Mine went in the bay next to the water bay.

I have the same unit as you have flaggship. Your unit looks more permanent than mine. How do you do a regen on yours without taking the unit out? I have to remove mine to drain water out to make room for the salt. Maybe I am doing this wrong?

Davdeb1 · 06-01-2016, 06:45 PM

I've got the 10,000 grain. I use it when I'm out west mainly, and stow it about 5 months of the year.

flaggship1 · 06-01-2016, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winepress

I have the same unit as you have flaggship. Your unit looks more permanent than mine. How do you do a regen on yours without taking the unit out? I have to remove mine to drain water out to make room for the salt. Maybe I am doing this wrong?

Its a very fancy, high dollar kit brought to you by the automotive department at Walmart.

I remove the buckets under the Metal Trap Ultra Duo filters to give me a little more room. Then put a beach towel down.

Open the top of the softener and pump a little water out, being careful not to pull the beads out. When you put the hose in the tank you can feel the beads so you can tell when enough water is expelled. It's less than I thought it would be.

Dry the fill opening and as far down as you can to keep the salt from clinging to it. Some days my hand is steadier than others. On the shaky days I start out with the funnel. Truth is, getting the salt in there is part art and part science.

Some folks report rolling the softener around on the ground when they add the salt helps with the regen. I just let it sit longer (more than an hour, less than bordering on work). And let it flush longer (see ^). It's bolted to the floor of the bay and so far quick disconnects and some water tubing and hoses have managed to stay drip free a couple years now.

I pull my chair up to the bay with the "kit", sit down with the water hose with quick disconnects, enjoy a beverage and start the regen.

NY Camper 86 · 06-02-2016, 08:34 AM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Has anyone used something like this?

Davdeb1 · 06-02-2016, 10:43 AM

Many use that, but it will not soften water. The high mineral content is what clogs your Rv system, thus the need for a softener. Arizona water is particularly hard as I am sure the surrounding desert states are. Well water from Appalachian areas are also very hard.

Clay L · 06-02-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Camper 86

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Has anyone used something like this?

I used something similar but less expensive - $20. A GE Smart Water whole house filter. The filter cartridges are 2 for $12 (carbon) or 2 for $10 (sediment)
See HERE
I got mine and the hose fittings at Home Depot.
I put it before the water softener to keep sediment out of the resin beads.