Water Softener-Hard Water Questions

[TravisH]

Hi,

I never gave much thought about hard water but an RV park I've at has ridiculously hard water! Hose the ground and when it dries a lot of white mineral deposits. Tastes terrible too!

I have an RV Waterfilter Store 2 stage (sediment and charcoal) and drink from a Berkey but the water is too much for this. A softener system has been recommended BUT I have concerns since it would be "whole RV" softened.

Last I considered a water softener it was known to make the water too sodium rich. I can't imagine there's much change in the technology but is the correct? Do I want to be drinking soft water from my Berkey?

Re: hard water....My concern is shortening the life of the water heater. Is there a way to purge any mineral deposits off the water heater to extend its life?

Thanks!

Trav

[richard5933]

A properly working water softener doesn't add that much sodium to the water, and from what I read when I researched this for the unit we installed at home the best I could find is that it's only an issue for those on low-sodium diets for medical reasons.

That said, you could get your drinking water bottled and not worry about the sodium at all.

Until you get softened water, perhaps it would be a good idea to pull the drain plug from time to time in your water heater and flush it out with a flushing wand.

[TravisH]

Originally Posted by richard5933

A properly working water softener doesn't add that much sodium to the water, and from what I read when I researched this for the unit we installed at home the best I could find is that it's only an issue for those on low-sodium diets for medical reasons.

That said, you could get your drinking water bottled and not worry about the sodium at all.

Until you get softened water, perhaps it would be a good idea to pull the drain plug from time to time in your water heater and flush it out with a flushing wand.

Thanks!

I've been fiendishly researching and it seems most here like the On The Go brand. I have Amazon credit so want to get it from there.

I have two options 8000 or 16000 grains. ~$100 price difference.

For a single guy in a 25' FC would the 8000 grain be enough for me?

Does the size only effect how often I'll have to add salt or recharge the system? Would either provide the same quality water?

Thanks!

Trav

[richard5933]

I believe the sizing has to do both with the water consumption and the hardness of the water. You probably can get test strips at Walmart or a local hardware store to test it and see what you need. Just a little math involving your water use once you know the hardness.

[TravisH]

Originally Posted by richard5933

I believe the sizing has to do both with the water consumption and the hardness of the water. You probably can get test strips at Walmart or a local hardware store to test it and see what you need. Just a little math involving your water use once you know the hardness.

Thanks!

Judging by the white ground I'd hazard to guess this is diamond hard water!

I'm only here a few weeks though but spend most of my time hopping around the SW so best buy the best and cry once!

Now I figured out why long timers here have 5 canister filters and a SW system out side there rigs!

[SSquared]

You can reduce calcium deposits in your piping and water heater using vinegar. I did this when I was at a hard-water place for a while. I found a thread here than recommended mixing white vinegar with distilled water. The ratio was 60/40 or 40/60, I forget which. I pumped in five or six gallons through the water pump, like when winterizing with anti-freeze, cycled (heated) the water heater once, and let it sit all day. I got a bunch of deposits out of the water heater.

After this I got a softener.

[TravisH]

Looks like I'll be going with the On The Go brand.

They seem to be rather fool proof contraptions and the only issues are leaking.... I'd have to order online and this time of year delivery can be sketchy so I'm wondering if I can do just as well with another brand I can find locally...or does the On The Go offer some intrinsic advantages a novice like myself does not realize?

My motto: Buy the best and cry once! (that's why I got an Airstream! )

I'm near Yuma Arizona anyone has a clue on local dealers or other brands and advice.

Thanks!

Trav

[Steamy1]

We have been using our On-The-Go water softener for several years now and would not travel without it. As you noted, the water in the SW tends to be hard though I have found the water in the west generally hard.

I test the water with a testing strip and it always seems to be hard. Test again after connecting the WS and it definitely lowers the PPM to a "soft" reading.

I am convinced that using the softener is much easier on the water system as I noticed that the chrome fixtures and sinks do not have water stains left over and showers do not leave a residue. Prevents scaling and spots and rust buildup.

Still de-scale the system with vinegar twice a year.

one of the better purchases I have made.

[Daquenzer]

I have a softner as well. I make sure to attach a good filter system before the water goes to the softner.

I use a quick connect system for the hoses. Takes very little time to set up.

[zapper]

I recently purchased an Aquious AQF220 water softener to replace my On-the-go water softener. Not cheap. But I like it much better than the salt activated unit for the following reasons: 1. filters out much smaller particle size.,2. Light weight 7.5 LBS easier to handle, 3. Filter good for 40,000 galleons, 4. Easy to set up, 5. No salt.

Made for whole house water softener, must be operated in vertical position.

Had to fabricate a portable base to hold the filter upright is the only negative so far.

[nswhite]

I use the On the go and purchased mine from Camping World in Mesa. Size is determined by how long you want to go before a regen. Also, the worse the water the more often the regen. I can go roughly 2-3 months before a regen but we are out mostly for a few weeks at at time not full timing.

As to saltless systems. I tried one in my house. And it flopped for me and my AZ water. They have about a 50-50 chance of working, depending on water quality.

[Steamy1]

A little extra sodium in the water does not bother us. We use the on-board water system mostly for bathing, washing, flushing, etc. We ingest bottled water, beer, wine, martinis, gin and tonic, etc.

The benefits of having soft water to bath and wash with far outweighs any downside, is my opinion.

[Life is a Highway]

Have you by any chance looked into Soft Cell. I use the tote with a iron filter pre softener and a clear source carbon filter after the softener. It cleaned up some pretty hard and coffee nasty looking water from a Bar Harbor Maine campground. Water so bad they gave us a gallon jug each morning for drinking. The soft cell is easy to back flush and regenerate if needed after about 250 gallons.

[KCurtis]

This is what I use: https://qualitywatertreatment.com/co...water-softener

If is pretty heavy when full of water. I drain it after I disconnect the water from the Airstream and it greatly reduces the weight.

[Zigidachs]

Originally Posted by TravisH

Hi,

I never gave much thought about hard water but an RV park I've at has ridiculously hard water! Hose the ground and when it dries a lot of white mineral deposits. Tastes terrible too!

I have an RV Waterfilter Store 2 stage (sediment and charcoal) and drink from a Berkey but the water is too much for this. A softener system has been recommended BUT I have concerns since it would be "whole RV" softened.

Last I considered a water softener it was known to make the water too sodium rich. I can't imagine there's much change in the technology but is the correct? Do I want to be drinking soft water from my Berkey?

Re: hard water....My concern is shortening the life of the water heater. Is there a way to purge any mineral deposits off the water heater to extend its life?

Thanks!

Trav

Hello....Interesting question....We spend 4 months each year in California which is known for very hard water. A friend who used his AS in Calif about 8 mo / year without a softener, found that his entire plumbing system had to be replaced because of calcium deposits and blockages !

We now use a "Flo-Pur RV Pro 10,000" softener...https://www.campingworld.com/flow-pu...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

We recharge the unit every year. Works well with not NaCl taste. Hope that helps.....

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by TravisH

Thanks!



I've been fiendishly researching and it seems most here like the On The Go brand. I have Amazon credit so want to get it from there.



I have two options 8000 or 16000 grains. ~$100 price difference.



For a single guy in a 25' FC would the 8000 grain be enough for me?



Does the size only effect how often I'll have to add salt or recharge the system? Would either provide the same quality water?



Thanks!



Trav

Water hardness is typically expressed in grains per gallon. If the water is 10 grains per gallon, an 8000 grain softener will (theoretically) treat 800 gallons before needing regeneration.

In my experience very hard well water can be 25 or 30 grains per gallon.

I wouldn’t expect any difference in the quality of the water between the small and large units.

The ion exchange process switches the minerals for salt. In my recollection, at 25 grains per gallon you would end up with about 800 mg of sodium per gallon of water. It’s really not significant except for those on sodium restricted diets, and this issue can be addressed by buying bottled water for drinking.

I’ve heard of people using potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride in their water softeners. It costs more, but it’s still salt - just not sodium.