Water filters

We use the blue in line filter for the past several years. Last year we had a water softner installed in storage area. Works fantastic and got rid of a lot of the water spots in the shower. I highly recognize it.

Ron3rd wrote:

Bonefish wrote:
It depends upon the type of camping you are doing.

RO systems waist around 4 gallons of bypass water for every gallon of water you get.

The SteriPen only takes out pathogens but not any chemicals or soluble compounds that may be in the water (lead, PCB, benzenes, etc.).

You need combination type filers that take out solids, pathogens and carbon filters to take out water born chemicals.

I'd strongly recommend AGAINST an RO system in an RV. Bulky, wasteful, ect. I've owned a couple in the house and while they work OK, I've gone back to the simple 2-stage system you see in the home centers.

BTW, in the trailer, we use the Pur faucet mounted filter like the member above posted and it works fine. A light goes on when the filter needs to be changed. Only downside is it's a bit slow when working off the water pump but we can live with it. Simple solution IMO. If you want something different, just go with the basic canister style filter system, either single or dual stage.

I was NOT suggesting an RO system as someone previously said they had.
We have a two filters one a cartridge type which takes out turbidity, chemicals, patogens and a second one under the sink which refilters for drinking cooking purposes. This has been tested on a camp site where it was found that the water was pumped out of a lake and non-treated. We had been using it with no ill effects other that the first filter got plugged up and on inspection it was filled with minnows and tadpole pieces. :R

LVTOCMP wrote:
I am thinking about using an inline water filter for our next season of camping. We currently drink bottled water. The question I have is how do you know when the filter has completed the filtering process and you need to purchase a new filter. I am looking at using the blue inline filter.

The inline filters in general are horrible and a waste of $$ IMHO.

Most of (all?) filter at 100 microns. You can drive a truck through that!

We use a two stage filter system: 1 micro particulate followed by a 5 micron KDF filter.

The particulate filter is in a clear tub, so you can observe the soluble particulate.

When it looks dirty, change it.

the KDF, we change it every 2-3 years...

I take a low tech approach. I buy gallon jugs of distilled water in grocery stores as I travel. About 50 cents a jug, for coffee and cooking.

Bonefish wrote:
It depends upon the type of camping you are doing.

RO systems waist around 4 gallons of bypass water for every gallon of water you get.

The SteriPen only takes out pathogens but not any chemicals or soluble compounds that may be in the water (lead, PCB, benzenes, etc.).

You need combination type filers that take out solids, pathogens and carbon filters to take out water born chemicals.

I'd strongly recommend AGAINST an RO system in an RV. Bulky, wasteful, ect. I've owned a couple in the house and while they work OK, I've gone back to the simple 2-stage system you see in the home centers.

BTW, in the trailer, we use the Pur faucet mounted filter like the member above posted and it works fine. A light goes on when the filter needs to be changed. Only downside is it's a bit slow when working off the water pump but we can live with it. Simple solution IMO. If you want something different, just go with the basic canister style filter system, either single or dual stage.

It depends upon the type of camping you are doing.

RO systems waist around 4 gallons of bypass water for every gallon of water you get.

The SteriPen only takes out pathogens but not any chemicals or soluble compounds that may be in the water (lead, PCB, benzenes, etc.).

You need combination type filers that take out solids, pathogens and carbon filters to take out water born chemicals.

I filter and soften my water, but will continue to carry bottled drinking water from a source I am very familiar with. If we run out we purchase gallons of bottled water at the grocery store, checking the source information on the label.

If you have concerns about drinking your RV water, may I suggest purchasing a Steri-Pen:

Steri-Pen Products

I own the Adventure-Opti (aprox $75.00)

No worries about drinking "tank water" get a "pen" like this:

Steri Pen Adventure-Opti

Nice little unit and well worth not having to buy bottled water while on the road. Plus it's good to have in your "Bug Out Bag"

WoodGlue

MichaPetty wrote:
Many filters give estimates of their lifespan. You can either replace it on a calendar schedule or estimate your usage and replace it based off of how much water you have put through it.

My system is a whole-house style filter where the city inlet is and an under-sink tap for the drinking water. The first one keeps the system clean and the smaller one achieves the bottled-water level purification.

X2

Pretty much what I do, however, I stopped using the whole house type filter and went to the KDF inline style to handle the big stuff (I've not found it to be restrictive for either flow or pressure) just for ease of setup and space taken up.

I replace the blue filter every season, or, if I notice a problem with it, sooner. So far, once per season has worked out fine. It keeps the big stuff (sand, grit, etc.) out of the system. The Pur filter for drinking water has an indicator that lets me know when to replace it. We were on the road for a 4 month trip last year...both lasted the whole trip.

Went to Lowes and bought a whole house filter and the fittings to adapt to hose. Works very well with no restrictions. Change the filter twice a year.

Bill