Water filters

I change mine when the water starts tasting funny, or when I'm taking the whole house filter apart and see dirty water inside.

As a rule of thumb, I'd replace it every 3 months, whether it needs it or not! They're inexpensive enough!

WoodGlue

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.

I use a faucet-mount filter. It is a PUR mineral clear I bought from Costco for $39. It includes enough filters, 6, to last years of camping use. This should really help by no longer needing to take bottled water and gets rid of chlorine smell/taste as well as the garden hose flavor. I use an RV type hose and in-line filter to fill my water tank, but still I can taste that plastic/vinyl/hose in the water. Probably the tank itself.
I can tell you the PUR filter works great! I did a blind taste test with the DW. A plain glass of camper water, tap water, camper water though the filter, tap water through the filter, and bottled water of Safeway house brand of bottled water. Final result; filtered camper and house water tied for first. Bottled water second, house water 3rd and camper water last. This filter made the camper water go from last place to first.









Here is a link to a video about the filter and it's ease of installation;

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2OZQZGOQT7NOV/ref=ent_fb_link

Like he said. Just do the water you drink rather than the whole camper. I think the little blue filters cut way down on delivery volume and pressure. I had a water Pur before but upgraded to RO. The water pur is a LOT cheaper.

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

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.

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

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.

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.