I regularly use a "TastePURE KDF/Carbon Water Filter" offered by Camco. I am a bit confused on the amount of time these filters can be used before they fail or are no longer effective.I have read several variations of the amount of usable and the effective life of these filters. On one occasion I read they should be changed at 3 month intervals, a Camco Video says a "camping season", and I have also read 6 months.My "camping seasons" are frankly year round with periods of intense water use , then while parked in the driveway for a month or so no activity. Is "3 months" three months of continual use with water flowing through the filter or does it account for periods of dormancy when the rig is not in use? So I am unclear as to how to calculate the useful life of these disposable filters before they really need changing.I am a bit fanatical about wanting properly filtered water so this one is somewhat important to us. I also don't know much about activated charcoal filters like this, but I do believe they are effective. Any thoughts on a more definitive read on how long one should use these filters?

I change my Camco filter every 3 months whether it needs it or not. It's a cheap fix!WoodGlue

Lot's of variables that can affect filter quality that are hard to judge. What is the quality of the water being filtered ? What elements in that water are being filtered ? Does the filter cartridge contain anything to kill bacteria ? Filtering chlorine is one thing vs. dirt/sediment/iron etc. and all will change the filters ability to filter. In my opinion I would go six month intervals, I base that solely on not knowing if the filter has an anti-bacterial feature. A charcoal/carbon filter will basically filter until it is clogged. But that does you no good if it is a breeding ground for bacteria !

The activated carbon and KDF should have a usable life of six months in use, depending on how much reaction is happening with contaminants. When the filter is idle, there isn't much appreciable filter degradation. Since it's a 100 micron filter, it will take a long time for water flow to be impacted. You could rinse the filter and back flush some of the trapped bits out of it but that may lead to some redoxed matter getting into the system. A sediment filter installed before the KDF filter will help with longevity.

Yes, the Kdf-55 is bacteria filtration:Kdf-55So like I was saying, every 3 months whether it needs it or not!WoodGlue

rfuerst911sc wrote:Lot's of variables that can affect filter quality that are hard to judge. What is the quality of the water being filtered ? What elements in that water are being filtered ? Does the filter cartridge contain anything to kill bacteria ? Filtering chlorine is one thing vs. dirt/sediment/iron etc. and all will change the filters ability to filter. In my opinion I would go six month intervals, I base that solely on not knowing if the filter has an anti-bacterial feature. A charcoal/carbon filter will basically filter until it is clogged. But that does you no good if it is a breeding ground for bacteria !Thanks! That's a good analysis of it. I have a filter on the kitchen sink faucet at home and their technology gives me a read out of when the filter is shot and its time to change. That unit's instructions also indicates specifically that 90 gallons is about all they are good for. I am considering slapping one of those PUR filters on the "fivers" kitchen sink and forgoing the in line version for the whole rig. Not sure why I need to filter the water for the bathroom as we don't drink it?Thats helpful Westend. Appreciated.

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greenrvgreen
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
IIRC, the KDF in these filters serves to keep the charcoal from hosting bacteria, not to kill bacteria in the water running through it. The expiry on these has only to do with water flow and absorption capacity, as said. Rather than a "first line", I use one as my last line, behind a series of (purifying) ceramic filters, to remove the taste of chlorine, which it does very well.

Bottom line, I use mine until the water starts to taste less-than-perfect, and then I replace it. This could be as much as a year.
mmiille
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
We use the inline one also. I change it two or three times a year. Usually can tell when its time to change by taste or rust in shower. Can't go wrong by following directions though. I buy them in the fall when the stores mark them down to get rid of them, but found this just now.

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40042-TastePURE-Water-Filter/dp/B00BEDNXTW/ref=pd_sbs_auto_5

You can get them four at a time.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
I use those as a first line filter. Keep two new ones in the rig a all times.

Throw out the current one and put a new one on the water line on Jan 1, Apr 1, July 1, Oct 1 each year. Have it set as a regular alarm/ reminder on my phone.

They are cheap and better to be safe than sorry.
TechWriter
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
americanrascal wrote:

I am a bit fanatical about wanting properly filtered water . . .

Then you will need something better than a single in-line water filter.

Forget the in-line filter and check out an under sink reverse osmosis system for your drinking water needs.

Try www.rvwaterfilterstore.com.
rav
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
my first line of "defense" is the hose washer with the screen- saved me big time once when it caught all the plumbers goop the used when reinstalling the hose bibb's for the season. stopped up the filter, could not imagine what would happen if that got into my system!
I then use a whole house filter that I set up with fittings for the hose. I found it much more economical in the long run to change the whole house filters and I can decide what type of filter I want always carry a spare and they are available at Lowe's, etc..
I also have an "on the go" water softener, really makes a difference.
a little off the topic....
Shadow_Catcher
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
If the filter is primarily for taste to get rid of chlorine than when you start tasting chlorine it is time to change it. If you are after more serious contaminants then about every six months.
I have a two or three filter set up for our trailer depending on water quality and the first filter is a ceramic carbon that heps get the big stuff is cleanable and protects the other filter(s). This set up with the final General Ecology Trav-L-Pure Camper Canister goes down to the NBC level and will take out bacteria protozoa and viruses. With the three stage/filter I can take water out of streams and lakes and make it potable.
americanrascal
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
rfuerst911sc wrote:
Lot's of variables that can affect filter quality that are hard to judge. What is the quality of the water being filtered ? What elements in that water are being filtered ? Does the filter cartridge contain anything to kill bacteria ? Filtering chlorine is one thing vs. dirt/sediment/iron etc. and all will change the filters ability to filter. In my opinion I would go six month intervals, I base that solely on not knowing if the filter has an anti-bacterial feature. A charcoal/carbon filter will basically filter until it is clogged. But that does you no good if it is a breeding ground for bacteria !

Thanks! That's a good analysis of it. I have a filter on the kitchen sink faucet at home and their technology gives me a read out of when the filter is shot and its time to change. That unit's instructions also indicates specifically that 90 gallons is about all they are good for. I am considering slapping one of those PUR filters on the "fivers" kitchen sink and forgoing the in line version for the whole rig. Not sure why I need to filter the water for the bathroom as we don't drink it?

Thats helpful Westend. Appreciated.
WoodGlue
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
Yes, the Kdf-55 is bacteria filtration:

Kdf-55

So like I was saying, every 3 months whether it needs it or not!

WoodGlue
westend
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
The activated carbon and KDF should have a usable life of six months in use, depending on how much reaction is happening with contaminants. When the filter is idle, there isn't much appreciable filter degradation.
Since it's a 100 micron filter, it will take a long time for water flow to be impacted. You could rinse the filter and back flush some of the trapped bits out of it but that may lead to some redoxed matter getting into the system. A sediment filter installed before the KDF filter will help with longevity.
rfuerst911sc
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
Lot's of variables that can affect filter quality that are hard to judge. What is the quality of the water being filtered ? What elements in that water are being filtered ? Does the filter cartridge contain anything to kill bacteria ? Filtering chlorine is one thing vs. dirt/sediment/iron etc. and all will change the filters ability to filter. In my opinion I would go six month intervals, I base that solely on not knowing if the filter has an anti-bacterial feature. A charcoal/carbon filter will basically filter until it is clogged. But that does you no good if it is a breeding ground for bacteria !

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