Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Water Filters and Softeners ...


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 46
Date:
Water Filters and Softeners ...


Does anyone have a good idea of how much water pressure is lost through filters and a softener?  Has anyone taken rough flow rates upstream and downstream of their installations?  Much has been written about water filters and softeners in this, and most other forums.  However, I've not read any information about actual drops in pressure or flow rates through these components combined as a system.  And Mother Nature just won't be flexible with her natural laws to allow me not to consider these restrictions to flow parameters. 

 

The task I've been assigned is to deliver clean soft water not only to the kitchen, but to the bathroom and laundry.  And I've not been allowed any if's, and's, or but's about it.  One idea is to mount all three parts of a system in proper sequence, in a special purpose-built cart that I can roll out of the garage, hook shore water to one side, then filtered soft water out the other side to the house.  But I'd really rather not go through building this up without at least having a "warm fuzzy feeling" about it working out for me.

 

I'm thinking I might like to filter to 5 microns, then 0.5 microns, through a softener, then to the whole house.  However, one concern is possibly a significant drop in water pressure, or flow rate.  I would honestly like not to find out the hard way that what I'd like to do results in a significant restriction to flow.

 

I've contacted system companies in my area and none seem to want to help with information since they don't sell the small water softeners used by some RVers.  I really don't blame them since we aren't their target market.

 

Any advice is appreciated.



__________________

Dave



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 80
Date:

I recommend this site: www.rvwaterfilterstore.com. I have called and left a message and another time contacted via their contact link and received responses. I did buy my stuff through them, but I don't have equipment to measure flow rates. Ask them - they may be able to help answer your questions.

__________________

John & Sama

LAMSOKTXsm.jpg 

2018 DRV Mobile Suites 44 Sante Fe

2018 RAM 5500 with Utility Bodywerks hauler bed



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 339
Date:

Dave,

I was looking around the site John or Sama listed above and ran across their "South of the Border" system which advertises 5gpm flow rate. Not sure what any of their other systems flow but it looks like they are at least conversant in the issue. One thing I might add is to seriously consider a rust removal system. In my s&b (which I'm still in) I had terrible rust issues. I put in a rust removal system about 10 years ago and it's still going strong without any new media. Not sure what the media is but I highly recommend it. Just my two cents.

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 207
Date:

Can’t answer your question about our actual pressure drop, but I can tell you that the exact filters you use and their size will make a difference … so it will depend.

Our set-up is similar to what you are looking to build, but our first filter filters down to 1 micron and I have tried numerous 0.5 micron filters, with the below giving us the least pressure drop of the numerous 0.5 micron filters that I have tried (i.e., I can’t tell you the actual pressure drop difference, but there was a noticeable difference between the different 0.5 micron filters).

Our set-up is below:

This filter nominal filtration rating of the pre-filter layer is 25 microns, and the rating of the post-filter layer is 1 micron. Personally, I choose to filter down to 1 micron (versus 5 micron), prior to the 0.5 micron filter, or I believe that I would need to very regularly replace the more expensive 0.5 filter due to clogging/decreased flow rate.

Per the amazon write up “initial pressure drop of less than 1 psi at a flow rate of 10 gpm”.

Per the amazon.com write-up “initial pressure drop of 2 psi at a flow rate of 1 gpm”.

One thing you can do to alleviate a pressure issue, if you find the pressure is ultimately lower than desired, is install an accumulator tank.

Lynn



-- Edited by Lynn and Ed on Sunday 16th of December 2018 07:19:17 PM

__________________

2014 New Horizons Majestic 40'
2014 Ram 5500 HD with Utility Bodywerks hauler body

Enjoying this chapter in our lives!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 46
Date:

Thanks so much folks.

Certainly more research is needed in an effort to get it right the first time.

Dave

__________________

Dave



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 720
Date:

We do almost exactly what Lynn & Ed do.

__________________

Dave & Diane 

"40' New Horizon Majestic 5th wheel  

"2018 Ram 5500 w/Classy Chassis Hauler Bed

2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH "for sale" SOLD 

http://daveanddiane.wordpress.com/2012/07/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqRmO1rO4cu3rFANF1iG6Q



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:

I would recommend you to use Water Filters and Softeners because it supplies 40% more soft water as compared to other units. The first choice of RV owners.

__________________


Host

Status: Offline
Posts: 1224
Date:

There are so many things that affect flow rate and pressure, the primary one being the water source. But the diameter of hoses, the gallons-per-minute rating of your water pressure regulator, quick-connect fittings, restricting devices found in some RV plumbing, etc. are all factors as well.

With a good water source, our flow rate has been most affected by cheap water pressure regulators and filters that need to be replaced. We've never used a water softener (going on 14 years full-time), but I'm sure they factor in as well.

I have no scientific or test data to back this up, but as long as you maintain your filters and your water softener, I don't think they will cause significant enough flow reduction to be too concerned about it. 



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us