Water Filters

Dallas Baillio · Post by **Dallas Baillio** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 12:29 pm

I have very rarely used a water filter for my fresh water supply. I have read enough about them to know that the commonly available ones filter for taste only. Any parasites, germs or harmful chemicals still get through. As far as I know to filter for safety is more expensive and more complicated. Are there easy, cheap, and reliable alternatives? I guess I could add a little bleach to my water tank.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:43 pm

Dallas

I put a little beach in my RV tank and Boat tanks - But I dont drink that water either. I use it for shower, coffee, cooking, ect.

I know there are folks that do it different and thats fine - guess its kinda personal preference to a point.

I did try a filter on the boat once but it really slowed up filling 100 plus gallons.

On the other hand you could but your trust in creativity -

shilohdad · Post by **shilohdad** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:24 am

The main reason I use a filter when filling the water tank is to prevent sediment from getting into the tank. Some campgrounds have an awful lot of sediment in their supply. As for health, in the U.S. I presume campground water systems have to meet the same standards as residential systems, so should be safe to drink.

We also sanitize our fresh water system after de-winterizing and if we have not used the RV in a number of months.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:11 pm

Joe - Now that you mention it I believe the one filter that I tried was allot more than a sediment filter - it really slowed the fill rate substantially.

I will have to look at them again because I do believe the sediment should be blocked at minimum

I also kinda super bleach or shock the system after dewinterizing - not sure if that is necessary but seems to work well and also gets residue pink stuff out of the system.

And before someone tells me that the pink stuff wont hurt you, I know that --- I just dont like to drink pink stuff.

WardPAW · Post by **WardPAW** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 12:46 pm

We use the Hydro-Life HL-180 In-Line water filter, a bacteria fighter. The filter is placed just before the connection on the coach. When filling the fresh water tank, I also use the filter. We utilize a Coil'n Wrap fresh water fill adapter and connect the filter to it. The adapter has a ball valve allowing you to shut off the water when the tank is full. The 1 foot white hose is from Coil'n Wrap as well.

The brass 45 and 90 degree fittings make the hose alignment easier. Though it appears there are a number of hose connections, we never had a leak.

I made a hanger for the filter out of #9 galvanized fence wire and covered the curved portion with vinyl hose from the hardware store. The bracket hangs off the lip at the utility door.

To limit the excess water getting into the coach storage area, I put plastic hose caps on the hoses and filters. Caps available at the hardware store.

Pictures are attached for reference.

We travelled for 8 months in 2013, FL to Alaska. Upon our return, I changed the water tank anode. The anode had very little build up or deterioration. I think the filter made a big difference. The water never had an odor and always tasted fresh.

whemme · Post by **whemme** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 4:37 pm

That's something new. I never knew that the fresh water tank had an anode. Since our fresh water tank is plastic, I am not sure what good an anode would do anyway.

WardPAW · Post by **WardPAW** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 5:51 pm

The anode I replaced was in the water heater. The fresh water tank does not have an anode. I am of the opinion that the water filter reduced sediment and other matter build up in the water heater tank and on the water heater anode.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 7:58 pm

Nice clean set up, well thought out - I like it.

Still concerned about flow rate - do you happen to know how long it takes to fill your tank? The filter I tried on the boat would have probably taken a couple hours to fill the RV tank (just guessing)

I take it that is a disposable unit and does not have a replaceable filter?

I am going to look it up - thanx for the post

WardPAW · Post by **WardPAW** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 5:50 am

The fill time for the fresh water tank is 5-8 minutes, a little more time if the water heater tank needs to be filled up.

The filter is disposable, but lasts about a year if used regularly. Hydro-Life has various models. The larger models have replaceable filters, but we opted for the smaller version. The filter is rated to treat 8,000 gallons.

We purchased the filter at Camping World, but available at numerous places. Read the customer reviews.