Using water softener?

[B&T RVers]

Looking for input on getting a water softener. Is it worth it? What should I look for?

 

[Old-RV'er]

First they are heavy, need to be cleaned about once every two weeks. We had one in Yuma, AZ. I think (100 gallon FW tank) and we filled up tank about every 3-5 days, I cleaned the thing like every two weeks. It made water feel slimy, way too much softening. So we used it for half fill, and bypassed it for the other half of tank, that made it better. But lots more work than we thought, sold it before we left Yuma. Cannot remember the brand we used. In my opinion, hooking up a water filter to the hose bib line, then using the one supplied by Newmar in the house should keep water quite nice, it won't soften it any. We lived with the hard water. And water is different everywhere, so you might need it one place and not need it again for 6 months. You are carrying around an extra 75 lbs.

 

[RKins]

I bought one but haven't had to use it yet. The one we bought can be recharged with only 2 gals of water while some of the more popular ones, you have to let water run through it for 20 minutes. Very wasteful IMO.

 

[Neal]

There are areas of the US where you'll need it such as the AZ area, UT, I've even had on the eastern shores of VA. You don't want hard water in your RV so I would nearly say a water softener is required to have in hard water areas. You can use test strips that come with it, or buy separately, to test your water. This is what I'm doing in higher risk areas to see if I need to setup the water softener. Some stated it's heavy, you can mitigate most of that by emptying the water out when stowing. Here is what I use. The bigger one means less time between regens, in AZ for one person with the larger unit regen is weekly using salt.

On The Go OTG4-VM-DBLSOFT Portable Compact Double Standard 16, 000 Grain Water Softener w/Brass Fittings, Back-Flush Adapter for RV/Marine Models - - Amazon.com

On The Go OTG4-VM-DBLSOFT Portable Compact Double Standard 16, 000 Grain Water Softener w/Brass Fittings, Back-Flush Adapter for RV/Marine Models - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Fish]

There are areas of the US where you'll need it such as the AZ area, UT, I've even had on the eastern shores of VA. You don't want hard water in your RV so I would nearly say a water softener is required to have in hard water areas. You can use test strips that come with it, or buy separately, to test your water. This is what I'm doing in higher risk areas to see if I need to setup the water softener. Some stated it's heavy, you can mitigate most of that by emptying the water out when stowing. Here is what I use. The bigger one means less time between regens, in AZ for one person with the larger unit regen is weekly using salt.

On The Go OTG4-VM-DBLSOFT Portable Compact Double Standard 16, 000 Grain Water Softener w/Brass Fittings, Back-Flush Adapter for RV/Marine Models - - Amazon.com

On The Go OTG4-VM-DBLSOFT Portable Compact Double Standard 16, 000 Grain Water Softener w/Brass Fittings, Back-Flush Adapter for RV/Marine Models - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

That's what I have. The well water at the resort in Florida is almost orange so filters and softener are needed. I think I did regen on it about once per month this winter.

 

[lostinfla]

I did a permanent installation in a bin, plumbed in with bypass valves so it's in use all the time. I typically do a regen once a month. I made a regen adapter out of a filter housing that I fill with salt and attach to the in line to avoid removing the unit from the coach. Has worked great for the past 2 years or so. Don't think I'd ever go back to hard water.

 

[FL-JOE]

The On The Go Softener is a wonderful product IMHO. We have been using ours for maybe 2 years. I have never heard of having to "clean" an RV water softener so I'm not sure what product one of that previous poster is talking about. Depending on how hard the water is where we are camped, I may have to add salt and regenerate my softener anywhere from every 2 weeks (very hard water) to every 6 weeks (fairly soft water). I also run my water through two 10" water filters prior to it going through the softener.

As far as water being wasted when you regenerate or backflush a softener. Part of that process calls for running the water on high for several minutes. When I come to that part I hook the outlet to my black water flush and use the water to dump and rinse, that way I'm not really wasting any water or letting it just spill out on the ground.

In order to protect our plumbing and keep our tanks and systems as fresh as possible I would never travel without filtering twice and using a softener. However we are full time travelers with a on-board washer/dryer. I suppose if you were only seasonal part time campers without a w/d unit you could get by without one.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I also use an On the Go softener and wouldn't think of not having it. If nothing else I don't have hard water spots on the shower glass and the fixtures.

 

[lostinfla]

I also use an On the Go softener and wouldn't think of not having it. If nothing else I don't have hard water spots on the shower glass and the fixtures.

That's true. We used to have to wipe the glass after every shower.

 

[JRS]

I think it's needed. I added a sediment filter prior to our On The Go 16K unit. Both stay outside at the faucet

 

[Webz]

I did a permanent installation in a bin, plumbed in with bypass valves so it's in use all the time. I typically do a regen once a month. I made a regen adapter out of a filter housing that I fill with salt and attach to the in line to avoid removing the unit from the coach. Has worked great for the past 2 years or so. Don't think I'd ever go back to hard water.

I too have the water softener installed in a different bay. Also have valves too isolate it while it is removed for regen.
Sounds like you have a better idea. Could you explain your regen adapter a little more? A picture would help me.
Thanks

 

[dave burns]

Started using On the Go a few months ago and I would never go back. What a difference it makes.

 

[lostinfla]

I too have the water softener installed in a different bay. Also have valves too isolate it while it is removed for regen.
Sounds like you have a better idea. Could you explain your regen adapter a little more? A picture would help me.
Thanks

I made it from a filter housing (holds just shy of 2 salt containers). Connects in line with quick connects on the valve I installed to transfer the salt to the tank. Works great without wrestling with the tank.

 

[Webz]

Thanks for the pics. Now I've got something to do tomorrow.

 

[hipchem1]

Just bought my onthego and will try it this weekend.

 

[Webz]

Finally got around to the permanent install, thanks to lostinfla.
Pouring the salt in the extra filter housing makes it so much easier.
Thanks.

 

[Neal]

Finally got around to the permanent install, thanks to lostinfla.
Pouring the salt in the extra filter housing makes it so much easier.
Thanks.

Let's see it Share for others to learn from and anything you learned in the process.

 

[Webz]

Give me a few days. Well, several days. Supposed to get single digit weather soon. Pretty much the same set up as lostinfla. The softener is located in the second bay on the driver's side.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Apparently you should sanitize the OnTheGo water softener every so often. Sani-System Water Softener Sanitizer - On The Go - Portable Water Softener

Sani-System Water Softener Sanitizer - On The Go - Portable Water Softener

Sani-System is the only NSF certified and EPA approved sanitizer.

www.portablewatersoftener.com

 

[Lab00Rat]

There are areas of the US where you'll need it such as the AZ area, UT, I've even had on the eastern shores of VA. You don't want hard water in your RV so I would nearly say a water softener is required to have in hard water areas. You can use test strips that come with it, or buy separately, to test your water. This is what I'm doing in higher risk areas to see if I need to setup the water softener. Some stated it's heavy, you can mitigate most of that by emptying the water out when stowing. Here is what I use. The bigger one means less time between regens, in AZ for one person with the larger unit regen is weekly using salt.

On The Go OTG4-VM-DBLSOFT Portable Compact Double Standard 16, 000 Grain Water Softener w/Brass Fittings, Back-Flush Adapter for RV/Marine Models - - Amazon.com

On The Go OTG4-VM-DBLSOFT Portable Compact Double Standard 16, 000 Grain Water Softener w/Brass Fittings, Back-Flush Adapter for RV/Marine Models - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Please explain "You don't want hard water in your RV" because I've not seen a need for water treatment yet, but I might not know what's going on to "see" the need. What does hard water do that harms the motorhome?