Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: JHoecker on March 05, 2018, 04:30:09 pm
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On my previous rig, an LTV Unity, I had an internal (Camco) large canister water filter, with a 10 micron capacity. Now that Madonna and I are taking delivery on a new 2552 in about a month, I was wondering what other owners use for filtration. I can get a standard Two Pack Camco blue filter pack at Walmart for less than $20, but that only has a 100 micron filtration capacity. I asked Earl about a custom water filtration unit inside; he said that he is interested in offering water filtration options, but that is not an option at this time. What do the rest of you do, when hooked up at a campground? Thanks a lot! John Hoecker (with Madonna) tymote
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Hi John,
We don't have a water filtering system for our PC. We use one of those typical water filter pitchers. We also use bottled water primarily for on-the-go. I suppose an on-board filter would be better, but our system has been working for us.
Ron Dittmer
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Might be off the subject slightly, but today on our return trip from Florida to the midwest and freezing weather I started to winterize the PC again and as I drained the water heater, I noticed sediment in the drain plug. Bob, our RV is slightly less than a year old with slightly over 10,000 miles and only 6 or so outings at the most. Is this sediment common? And how do I prevent this build up from becoming a problem? A water filter maybe?
thanks
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We use the Camco filters available from Walmart on our current motorhome and will do so with our PC when we get it. We don't use our water system for drinking, but we like to filter the incoming water to prevent sediment from getting into our water system.
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We use an outside filter canister that attaches to the water hose and uses a standard 0.5 micron carbon filter that also filters sediment. We got the canister and filters from rvwaterfilterstore.com, although I don't our canister on their web site now.
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Does the Camco 2 pack (refills?) include the short strain relief hose to connect to hose bibb?
I always use one on the hose to keep out the unknowns, and carry bottled water for drinking.
If you want to add your own internal 2nd stage filter for the city water as well as the internal tank, ask the factory for a plumbing diagram. It may be that it's very simple to add, but the factory doesn't offer it due to potential warranty claims and liabilities from contaminated / blocked fllters.
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Having looked at the plumbing in my 2552, I have no idea where they would be able to add a filter. Maybe near the pump but that is under the bed and requires quite a bit of work to get to. Not something I would want to do to change a filter.
We use a single canister filter from Camco. The filter is 5 micron. I put it outside next to the hose bibb. I have a short length of water hose that runs from the hose bibb to the filter and then another section to the rig. I added a pressure regulator and dial to the filter so everything is all plumbed together and easy to set up.
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We use an outside filter canister that attaches to the water hose and uses a standard 0.5 micron carbon filter that also filters sediment. We got the canister and filters from rvwaterfilterstore.com, although I don't our canister on their web site now.
If I were to filter incoming water, this method seems very thorough with the water getting filtered before it enters the motor home, whether it be the direct connection or filling the fresh water tank.
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We use the blue Camco filters between tap and rig plus a slim Brita pitcher in the fridge for drinking water. We only drink if our lines have sanitized. When we're full time on the road the water system is in constant use just like a regular house. If we are just week-ending or doing sporadic trips, we tend to use bottled water so we don't have sanitize each time. We carry two collapsible water jugs that we fill as needed from home and campground faucets.
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Thanks for all of the ideas and suggestions - they help a lot! John
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Most RV filters filter out the sediment but not the harmful chemicals and bacteria which is what I worry about. Good filters are available but are expensive and require frequent changing if air gets into them, causing bacteria to grow, which happens to the portable ones each time you disconnect the water supply. We only drink bottled water when using the rv and do not use any filter system, although we did use filters years ago but decided it was not worth the inconvenience and expense.
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Most RV filters filter out the sediment but not the harmful chemicals and bacteria which is what I worry about. Good filters are available but are expensive and require frequent changing if air gets into them, causing bacteria to grow, which happens to the portable ones each time you disconnect the water supply. We only drink bottled water when using the rv and do not use any filter system, although we did use filters years ago but decided it was not worth the inconvenience and expense.
Bottled water is normally not regulated. I worked at a company that took spring water, added tap water then filtered and bottled the water. I later went to work at a local water company. They thought bottled water was a ripoff to the cusmer. I only drink bottled water as a covinance. When I do, I always open it, thus letting air get in the same as you described above. Sometimes I feel we all worry to much.
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Sometimes I feel we all worry to much.
I agree with you Tom.
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The 100 micron Camco in-line type hose filters are combination KDF/ activated charcoal.
“Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) is a high-purity copper-zinc formulation that uses a basic chemical process known as redox (oxidation/reduction) to remove chlorine, lead, mercury, iron, and hydrogen sulfide from water supplies. ... In short, the KDF redox process works by exchanging electrons with contaminants”.
“Active charcoal carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), taste and odor from water. They are not effective at removing minerals, salts, and dissolved inorganic compounds.
Typical particle sizes that can be removed by carbon filters range from 0.5 to 50 micrometres. The particle size will be used as part of the filter description. The efficacy of a carbon filter is also based upon the flow rate regulation. When the water is allowed to flow through the filter at a slower rate, the contaminants are exposed to the filter media for a longer amount of time.”
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I believe I read somewhere that bugs in the water can be as small as 4 microns. My question is to what level should we filter the water to be reasonably sure we won’t get sick? I am trying to get us away from having to pack bottled water but don’t understand the risks well enough to make an informed decision. Any help is appreciated!
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Adding chlorine or iodine tablets directly to the fresh water tank and not using the city water hookup would seem like a logical solution (just a SWAG), however I don't know of any specific examples or products for rv applications. The best advice is don’t drink the water, or boil it first.
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Carbon filters can absorb contaminants but flow rate and other factors will come into play as to how effective they are. They do not stop particulates.
The micron size of the filter media, not the carbon, is what determines what passes through. 100 micron is very coarse and will stop only big particulates. 10 micron is common with good wells to filter sand and particulates. 5 micron will get even finer stuff.
To stop bacteria or Giardia cysts you need AT LEAST a 1.0 micron filter and 0.5 is better. Those are expensive and pass water slowly. The water in our area is generally considered contaminated with Giardia and cyanobacteria we use a .5 micron filter on the well. Giardia range in size from 3 micron to 6 micron and cyanobacteria .5 to 1 micron.
As far as I can tell the Camco EVO filters sold at Walmart & Camping World are a combo 5.0 micron filter with active carbon layer. They will stop a lot of stuff, they will not stop Giardia or most bacteria, despite what the description says. I guess if it stops SOME bacteria then can make that claim.
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We sanitize our system, flush with fresh water, and use it out of our taps. I like to run straight drinking water through a Brita but I do that at the house too. The only water that goes into our rig is from sources that are deemed " good enough" or potable. We use the blue sediment filter to keep grit our of our plumbing. As long as we don't have crud in our lines, we're good.
Most people don't know where their water comes from (even the bottled stuff).The tap water here is sucked out of the Potomac river, filtered and treated with chemicals until it is deemed "good enough" and run through old, sometimes damaged pipes to the house. In the summer you can smell the chlorine in it when you shower. If we put some in a jar and let it settle, we can see sediment and unidentified stuff in it. I haven't looked under a microscope but I'm sure there would be swimmers in there. The wastewater here is treated and dumped back into the Potomac to cycle through again. Unless you live at the source of the river, your drinking water includes the waste water from plants upstream. Some bottled water comes from similar places.
I've also backpacked and pulled gritty brown water out of an almost-dry spring that animals had probably slurped from and added in the rainwater running off a filthy, rusty metal AT shelter roof onto my dirty tarp, and strained it through my not-so-clean bandanna. I then sucked it through a backpack filter and boiled it for three minutes. Voila, potable water. It was probably cleaner than our tap water. I didn't get sick and I'm not dead. You'd be amazed at what stomach acid can kill off.
We taste and smell the water at campsites before filling our tanks. We got bad water once at a campground from their freshwater tap. I got sick and we emptied and sanitized the system - lesson learned. We carry a small backpack filter for camping where the rig can't go and it doubles as an emergency filter for drinking water if we can't find clean stuff. We've never needed it but it might give you peace of mind.
My advice, sanitize your system before a trip and use it. You control your water supply.
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I never filter the water. Drinking water we carry bottled.
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I never filter the water. Drinking water we carry bottled.
Ditto. We cook and drink with 'processed' water in a 5 gal jug.
I do not consider the freshwater on board potable. It is for bathing and toilet. Dishwashing also.
Yes, the makeup air in the jug could enable bacterial growth after a while, but proper sanitation of the container between fills has proven effective. Both Mrs V and I have digestive tracts that would have informed us promptly if there had been problems. :beg
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I' m looking at the rvwaterfilterstore site - see an attractive dual canister arrangement mentioned above. One disclaimer: keep out of direct sunlight... pondering how to do this easily.
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Good inline water filters are inexpensive and generally last a long time. Although we always use bottled water for drinking and cooking, I believe that a water filter is a good investment.
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Crop Duster, good point with an exception. Those water filters really cut your water pressure, almost to the point of being a no go for anyone that still has a head of hair in the shower. I’d use a filter I guess for filling my on board tank but not for city side hook up. I still under no circumstances use our on board tank for drinking no matter if I filled at home or any where else with a filter or not, even though I sanitize my tank.
I’ve had circumstances where I had to drink water I otherwise would have not considered and survived just fine. That being said, that was under different circumstances and unless I was under similar circumstances I damn sure ain’t doing it again!