Forum Discussion

MNawman's avatar
MNawman
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014

Installing a water softener

Hey guys I m planning to install a portable water softener in the MHS. I have two in line water filters that came with the coach. My question is where do I install the water softener, before or after the filters? Or does it even matter? Thanks for any input.
  • My water flows from either the pump or the city connection thru the filter and then through the softener. I installed it so that I can remove the unit for winterization or can easily bypass it by using removable connections called Gator Bites or Shark Bites depending where you buy them. I can also regenerate the unit without removing it from the bay.
  • your softener will have directions. the unit is fed with your hose from the park out let. a short hose goes from the unit to the fresh water inlet on the RV.
  • Install the softener after the filters. Softener resin can be damaged by chlorine and plugged by particles.

    The one exception would be if the water had no chlorine but did have dissolved iron (water turns orange after sitting in a glass). Then the carbon filter would go after the softener.
  • Most portable water softeners are designed to be placed on the ground between the water spigot and the coach. If your filters are installed in the coach then you are going to have no choice. If you have some flexibility in where this unit will be installed, I would install a sediment filter, the water softener and then a charcoal filter or a secondary finer sediment filter followed by a charcoal filter.
    In my own coach, I have the spigot, the water softener and then a sediment and charcoal filter internal to the coach. It has worked very well for many years.
  • Thanks for the quick responses. I guess I should have been more specific. I want the water softener mounted in the coach as opposed to being outside. I have a 2014 Entegra Aspire that has two filters mounted in the basement, so I was planning to install the water softener right beside the filters and close to the compartment door so I can service it easily. I wasn't sure whether the softener was mounted before or after the filters. All the instructions that I was able to find only discussed how to install it and didn't say anything about filters. It does make sense to install after, but I wanted to hear from the experts. Thanks guys!
  • Two things to consider.
    Mine has to stand upright and I assume most do.
    How do you plan to do the recharging process? On mine the cap has to be unscrewed so the salt slurry can be poured into the unit.
  • Clay, I was planning to soft mount it using Velcro straps to the wall and using quick connect fittings for the water. It could be removed easily. I've known five people who have had filters stolen off the hose not to mention my hookup would be simpler with the unit in the coach. I'm flexible, I wanted to see how others have theirs connected. Thanks
  • Your vision is likely not going to be a reality. These unit must be mounted vertically and they are not very small. If all you want is info as to where you should put the filters, the filters before the WS is best. From there you will need to address how, what, where the WS will be located and if your plan will actually allow you to use the hardware you have purchased (plan to purchase).
    There's really no reason not to use a portable on the ground outside the coach (the most convenient and easiest to service) but if you want to reinvent the wheel you are going to have to do some serious cyphering!