I installed a whole home filtration system in the water compartment and use a charcoal filter to filter all the water going into the RV. Now that I need to winterize I'm wondering what to do with the charcoal filter when I take it out of the system. The filter is almost new and I hate to throw it away. Should I store it in a bag full of clean water or store it dry until next season. Same question would apply to charcoal filter normally found under the sink.skipole

Take it out, drain the water, and let it dry till next year. might put it in a cloth or simular bag so that it can air dry, but keep bugs and such out.

Drain it, put it in a Ziploc bag and put it in the freezer.

They're like $10 for two at HomeDepot - throw it away and get a new one next season. It's not worth taking a chance on mold or any other kind of contamination for a few dollars.

I like the idea of a filtration system, but it just seems so silly to filter shower and toilet water. I've considered separating kitchen faucet from everything else, but just haven't figured out a good way to go about it.

fj12ryder wrote:I like the idea of a filtration system, but it just seems so silly to filter shower and toilet water. I've considered separating kitchen faucet from everything else, but just haven't figured out a good way to go about it.I know what your saying but the filters are rated for 10,000 gallons so it doesn't matter much on a RV.

Charcoal Filter Storage | Good Sam Community

JamesBr
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
I felt the same way my first season. But I bit the bullet, pitched the filter at the end of the year and bought a new one for the next season.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2013
GordonThree wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
What to do with the charcoal filter... Wrap it in plastic, Wrap it in plastic again and take it to your city's Hazardous materals disposal site..

Should we don a positive ventilation suit and a fresh film badge before attempting this procedure? I lost my manual.

No, but gloves might not be a bad idea.

By the way,,, When you read the Haz-Mat book.. (As I have) you get a lot of surprises.. Many things have hazards that are very safe to use.

This is one of 'em.

But storage and re-use is very not indicated.. Replacement of the cartridge is really the only safe alternative.

The answwer above was "per the book" it's not how most of us do it. As for how I do it.. Well.. No comment.
skipole
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
Thanks for all the answers. I'm going to dry it and put it in a ziplock bag. Next year I should be running the whole season and toss it out. Short year this time because I installed the setup late in the season.

Thanks again for all the responses.

skipole
skipole
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
fj12ryder wrote:
I like the idea of a filtration system, but it just seems so silly to filter shower and toilet water. I've considered separating kitchen faucet from everything else, but just haven't figured out a good way to go about it.

I used to think the same until I stayed at a campground that had "skunk water" when their filtration system Broke down and I had to flushing disinfect my whole system. I found that the charcoal filter with cloth wrap around outside works great at getting particals and odor out.

skipole
moose888
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
Trash it don't take any chance with bacteria. It cost more for a doctor than a filter.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2013
Just dry it out and put it somewhere for the winter.
GordonThree
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
wa8yxm wrote:
What to do with the charcoal filter... Wrap it in plastic, Wrap it in plastic again and take it to your city's Hazardous materals disposal site..

Should we don a positive ventilation suit and a fresh film badge before attempting this procedure? I lost my manual.
SRT
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Johno02 wrote:
Take it out, drain the water, and let it dry till next year. might put it in a cloth or simular bag so that it can air dry, but keep bugs and such out.

This is what I do. But I use one of those clear plastic "shoe box" to hold the filter(s).
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 06, 2013
What to do with the charcoal filter... Wrap it in plastic, Wrap it in plastic again and take it to your city's Hazardous materals disposal site.

Buy a new one for use next year.

NOTE: This is explained in your owner's manual. Used charcoal filters are considered haz-mat and they are not good for much over six months, if that.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 05, 2013
ScottG wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
I like the idea of a filtration system, but it just seems so silly to filter shower and toilet water. I've considered separating kitchen faucet from everything else, but just haven't figured out a good way to go about it.

I know what your saying but the filters are rated for 10,000 gallons so it doesn't matter much on a RV.
True, it would take a long time to go through 10,000 gallons. :)

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