Water systems

Effy wrote:

TechWriter wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
What do you folks use to chlorinate your water system. I heard to use Clorox but that really stinks.

haven't done that in nearly 20-yrs. we're still here. :B

I know several cigarette smokers and they're still around too. :S

Amazing how many people post on these topics to try and prove a point instead of offering real advice. Seriously what is the point of that post? No value whatsoever except for a self serving gotcha. "I'll show you." I mean if you're really offended that someone doesn't sanitize their tanks and they are still around to talk about, then just say that.

I thought it offered pretty good advice. Both on the subject at hand and otherwise.
YMMV

Effy wrote:
I mean if you're really offended that someone doesn't sanitize their tanks and they are still around to talk about, then just say that.

I was "offended" by his logic, not by the fact that he doesn't sanitize so I used reductio ad absurdum.

This morning I replaced the coach "whole house filter" then connected the house/city water to the coach, filled the fresh water tank. flushed the entire coach water system. shut off the water and opened the fresh water tank drains. I didn't see any thing that would cause me any alarms.
and scrubbed the sinks, counters, toilets, and shower.
one step closer to getting under way for the summer.

10forty2 wrote:
I'll chime in to say that I "sterilize" my water system once per year at the beginning of the season after I take it out of winter storage. The rest of the time, there's enough chlorine in the city water supplies where we camp to maintain a fresh source. I use 10oz of Clorox and fill the fresh tank...75gals. I turn the pump on and run the water inside at all outlets until I smell the bleach. I let it sit overnight and then drain and flush the next day until there is no more smell. May not be completely necessary, but it's what I do.

This is what I do since the RV sits winterized all winter. During the season I drain in between usage and fill from my well before next trip. Also drink unfiltered from the faucets.

Mike

TechWriter wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
What do you folks use to chlorinate your water system. I heard to use Clorox but that really stinks.

haven't done that in nearly 20-yrs. we're still here. :B

I know several cigarette smokers and they're still around too. :S

Amazing how many people post on these topics to try and prove a point instead of offering real advice. Seriously what is the point of that post? No value whatsoever except for a self serving gotcha. "I'll show you." I mean if you're really offended that someone doesn't sanitize their tanks and they are still around to talk about, then just say that.

rk911 wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
What do you folks use to chlorinate your water system. I heard to use Clorox but that really stinks.

haven't done that in nearly 20-yrs. we're still here. :B

I know several cigarette smokers and they're still around too. :S

Mortimer Brewster wrote:

I also have always used a stronger concentration of bleach. Do you recall how long he recommended to leave the bleach in the system? I always let it sit for 4 hours, but it seems like more time might be beneficial for a lower concentration.

This is the recommendation from NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles:

• For 50 ppm concentration, 1/4 cup household bleach per 15 gal of tank capacity. After filling the water tank, open each faucet and let water run until you can smell chlorine. Then let stand for 4 hours. Drain and flush with fresh water.
  
  
• For 100 ppm concentration, 1/2 cup household bleach per 15 gal of tank capacity. After filling the water tank, open each faucet and let water run until you can smell chlorine. Then let stand for 1 hour. Drain and flush with fresh water.
  

We chlorinated the system when we bought the coach in 2010, and have only used city water since. SO, I'll not do anything but flush and fill this year.

I'll chime in to say that I "sterilize" my water system once per year at the beginning of the season after I take it out of winter storage. The rest of the time, there's enough chlorine in the city water supplies where we camp to maintain a fresh source. I use 10oz of Clorox and fill the fresh tank...75gals. I turn the pump on and run the water inside at all outlets until I smell the bleach. I let it sit overnight and then drain and flush the next day until there is no more smell. May not be completely necessary, but it's what I do.

Mortimer Brewster wrote:


I also have always used a stronger concentration of bleach. Do you recall how long he recommended to leave the bleach in the system? I always let it sit for 4 hours, but it seems like more time might be beneficial for a lower concentration.
Just out of curiosity, what is sweetened water and why would you want to sweeten water?

Yes, he said that 4-8 hours was fine. He normally let his sit overnight. Also, if you're busy, leaving it in too long doesn't hurt anything. And if you can't wait the 4 hours, also, no big deal. The bleach does a great job in just a few minutes.

Sweetened water is what we use to call hard water that had been softened. Baking soda helps take that 'harshness' some water has away and makes it taste a bit like it's been softened. I don't recall all the details.