Water systems

I tried something unique, I read the manual and followed the directions.

I have never chlorinated my water. We drain and flush our tanks after every use. Actually we do everything in our power to remove chlorine in our water systems as it's pretty caustic. We use PH balanced RO water for drinking and whatever is available at a particular hookup for everything else. Never had an issue. I think people today are overly obsessed with anti bacterial everything. It's starting to have an adverse affect in that people are not developing helpful antibodies. Can't remember the last time I read an article on people becoming sick or dying due to their RV water system. And FWIW, if you fill your tanks with water from a public source, it already contains chlorine or chloramine. Anyway, to each his own. But it seems like it's more of a case of borrowing trouble.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I'm with rk911. Pretty much the same with me.

Aside from that, many RVers totally over chlorinate their tanks. Here's what a professional chemist who worked at city water treatment plants his entire career says about your fresh water system:

Troubled System (smells, floating stuff): 0.13 * Tank size = oz of bleach to add to the tank (Ex: 7.8 oz/60 gal)

Preventative Maintenance: 1 oz bleach / 60 gallons.

Remove average smells: 1 & 1/2 cup vinegar / 60 gallons.

Sweeten water: 1/2 cup baking soda / 60 gallons.

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?

I've only used bleach once when we first purchased our current coach. We camp in so many diverse ares of the country that we use 2 ceramic.charcoal filters in the coach and any water that goes into the coach goes through another ceramic filter. Heck, we even drink it.

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

X2
Terry

ScottG wrote:
If you have any bleach/Clorox smell leftover, put in an ounce or two (or more, doesn't matter) of Hydrogen Peroxide. It's perfectly safe (you can drink it) and the chemical reaction kills all the bleach on contact.

The 3% is safe, and you can swallow small amounts without harm, but repeated (daily) usage, or swallowing too much is NOT recommended. Won't hurt your fresh water system on your RV though in concentrations below 45%.

If you have any bleach/Clorox smell leftover, put in an ounce or two (or more, doesn't matter) of Hydrogen Peroxide. It's perfectly safe (you can drink it) and the chemical reaction kills all the bleach on contact.

Lwiddis wrote:
I love wearing my bio suit! Scares all the children in the campground.

heck, i can do that just showing up in shorts and a t-shirt. :E

Careful, Jim. Lots of us are elderly! Lol.

Lwiddis wrote:
Interesting, Jim. I use a higher percent of bleach but your guy appears to be an expert.

He definitely was. I followed his blog years ago as he was a fellow RVer and he was always helping people on forums with their tank problems. He had all the credentials and the expirience so that I totally trust his figures. He backed up his expertise with common sense too.

Haven't seen him post anything in over a decade and he was elderly when I was reading his stuff.