Water Softener Yes/No

[Dune_Hauler]

I was looking into adding a water softener and was looking to see what others are using. I am looking for feedback as to hassle factor for recharge and storage. Is it more trouble than it is worth?

[WayneLee]

I have used one for years and love it.

In cases where you need a salt-free water softner, they make them. Here is one salt-free solution Link, you can google more.

[dbbls]

I was interested in one but I contacted the manufacture and told them I was on a restricted salt diet and they discouraged me from getting one.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Yes on the Flo-Pur softener. But it depends on where you travel. Since you are in California, you'll probably spend some time in the Southwest/Four Corners. There are places out there where the water is so hard you can chew it. The very worst was Terlingua, TX. For the first five years, we used bottled water for coffee and drinking. Noticed that our kitchen faucet and showerhead were really gunked up. After we retired and started part timing, we purchased a Flo-Pur. Works great with a box of table salt. We don't worry about testing the water. Our taste buds and white spots on the dishes tell us to add a box.

We store ours in the basement. If it is really cold it travels in a plastic tub in the shower.

[YC_1]

We like ours. I installed quick disconnects. I unplug it and take it to my water closet where I have my tank washer etc.

Hard to describe but using quick disconnects I run water through the softener and into my black tank. The reason is simple. I don't like to run salted water onto the ground where it might hurt grass and this is a simple, clean, and sanitary way to dispose of it.

I don't use the test strips. You can feel the water during a shower and tell when it needs regeneration. One box of table salt is all it takes.

[J-Rooster]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
YES! The new units recharge with a #2 box of table salt and it takes about 20 minutes to do the whole thing. You will do this about once per month unless you are in areas with REALLY hard water. In any case, they come with test strips and you just check the hardness from time to time. When it gets a bit high you just charge it up.
The units are very portable and easy to connect and disconnect but you need somewhere the unit can store vertically. I am not sure this is required but side storage can get some of the resin up in the faucet area and you will lose a bit with each new connection shortening the life span.
I recently bought this Flow-Pur from Camping World http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/flow-pur-portable-water-softener/55635
I had an older one years ago but it was a real pain to recharge and I finally quit using it. This is so easy that I expect to keep it in our coach for many years to come. Having a WS will, in time, also clear any residual hard water deposits in your lines. I have had to clear my faucet screens a couple of times already as the calcium (or whatever) is flaking off.
Some say that a WS will increase you water usage since it feels slick and you don't realize the soap is gone so you keep rinsing. Even if it does, I am OK with that as it just feels great!

Bill, I'm down here in AZ. (the land of hard water) and do you have any knowledge if hard water can damage your hot water heater, any sooner, if the water is not treated? I prefer soft water to drink, bathe and wash my clothes in!

[notruffinit]

I too have a Flo-Pur. It is one of the first things I installed in my RV when it was new. I have it installed in the basement in a semi-permanent installation and the reason for that is that I remove it for the winter. I am able to recharge the system in place so I don't need to remove it. I love the soft water and it is worth the couple boxes of salt once a month.

[Bill_Satellite]

YES! The new units recharge with a #2 box of table salt and it takes about 20 minutes to do the whole thing. You will do this about once per month unless you are in areas with REALLY hard water. In any case, they come with test strips and you just check the hardness from time to time. When it gets a bit high you just charge it up.
The units are very portable and easy to connect and disconnect but you need somewhere the unit can store vertically. I am not sure this is required but side storage can get some of the resin up in the faucet area and you will lose a bit with each new connection shortening the life span.
I recently bought this Flow-Pur from Camping World http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/flow-pur-portable-water-softener/55635
I had an older one years ago but it was a real pain to recharge and I finally quit using it. This is so easy that I expect to keep it in our coach for many years to come. Having a WS will, in time, also clear any residual hard water deposits in your lines. I have had to clear my faucet screens a couple of times already as the calcium (or whatever) is flaking off.
Some say that a WS will increase you water usage since it feels slick and you don't realize the soap is gone so you keep rinsing. Even if it does, I am OK with that as it just feels great!