| Author | Message | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 50 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 67.79.202.133 Rating: N/A |
I'm thinking that I'd like to add a reverse osmosis setup for my coach water. I'd love to hear anyone's experiences and recommendations. What are the variables? Whole house/Commercial units? Replacement membranes? You know... let the discussion begin! Thanks, dg | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 424 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.91 Rating: N/A |
To filter out the arguments, it should be stated if the rig will be used for full-timing, or not. | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_liebler Post Number: 256 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 75.117.212.50 Rating: N/A |
I went a bit different route. I chose a ceramic filter as the first and primary device, it filters down to 0.9 microns. Then I also use an ultraviolet sterilizer. This combination guarantees safe drinking water. I route the 'city' water through both to fill my tanks. In addition all water used in the bus, weather from the city water input or the tanks is sent through the uv sterilizer and a carbon block filter which does a good job of removing taste and odor (chlorine). I see no advantage to the additional 'demineralization' that reverse osmosis offers and felt that the UV step was much more important in dealing with unknown water sources. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 575 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.142.130.31 Rating: N/A |
The other question you will need to answer is: how much boondocking will you do? RO units "waste" a LOT of water. Fine if you are hooked up to city water and sewer most of the time, but problematic otherwise. We chose to install a separate tank for drinking water (some folks just use the 5-gallon bottles for this), which we fill only from known-good sources. Then we just don't worry about what kind of water we get for the main tank, which only gets used for washing. We do have a ceramic "absolute" filter in case we need to make drinking water from the main tank, and we use a charcoal filter on the output of the drinking system to eliminate any chlorine taste or other contaminants. If you do go with an RO system, you might consider putting in a small "buffer" tank, so you can use the RO when you are on city water, sewer, and power, but still have a supply of good water when you are parked someplace "stand-alone." -Sean http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1933 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.74.232 Rating: N/A |
I kept 6 one gallon bottles of drinking water under the kitchen sink. More than enough for coffee, tea, cooking and drinking. Easy to replenish at any grocery or convenience store. It was plenty enough even for a week of boondocking in the desert. I think I could find a lot of things the money could better be spent on than a RO system. Richard Richard | ||
| Michael Sheldon (Msheldon)
Registered Member Username: Msheldon Post Number: 41 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 68.230.115.166 Rating: N/A |
I'm going a different route altogether. I'm putting in a separate 20 gallon water tank, pump and faucet, and having my local water store fill it at $.25 a gallon. They have facilities for filling RV tanks. WAY simpler, no waste water. | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 82 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
My vote is with Richard. Much easier than even the 5 gal bottles. Way better things to spend time and money on. Unless you are going to boondock in Guatemala or some such place. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 425 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.205 Rating: N/A |
At .59 per gallon bottle, you'd have to drink a whole lot of water to make an RO system worthwhile. We full-timed, and never had a problem with the bottles, even on our limited budget. I can't imagine spending that much (for an RO system), if it were to be used only occasionally. (and besides, beer is so much better for you!) | ||
| Norm Edlebeck (Bandleader)
Registered Member Username: Bandleader Post Number: 54 Registered: 2-2004 Posted From: 76.17.179.197 Rating: N/A |
Richard you're my kinda guy!! I'm just starting on a 4 - 6 month adventure trip, and I do the same as you. Buy (and sometimes refill) gallon jugs of water. Never have to worry if it's contaminated & about 6 gallon jugs take up very little space. I keep mine in one permanent hinged bench of my dinette, & put them in fridge as needed, or just drink it without it being cold if I have to. NO PROBLEM - VERY LITTLE $$$$$ Norm Edlebeck | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 617 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
Beer would make more sense for drinking ,cooking, etc. Kids might not like Beer flavored Kool Aid though. | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 83 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
We full time and do not buy a new bottle each time. I keep 6 gal plastic milk crate in the toad. Take out a gal when needed put empty in. whenever out refill the emptys at 25 to 30 cents. I do not drink beer, but if I did a keg system would be a must. Cooler and keg in the bay, with dispenser at kitchen sink. Nope two dispensers, need one in the bay also! | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 426 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.184 Rating: |
"Kids might not like Beer flavored Kool Aid though." By the third cup, they won't give a *&%#, John.....   | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 51 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 67.79.202.133 Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all. I am full-timing it. Just bought a 28 foot trailer to haul the toad and all the stuff I couldn't get in the coach. My main thought was to have some streak-free rinse water for the bus. A week of Austin rain and roads has it looking like crap and at $70 a wash, I was looking for an alternative. Seems like a 50 gpd unit would be more than ample for a high pressure, low volume was and all I could drink! Guess I'll set it up in the trailer and follow the thread concensus above. Sorry I couldn't get back to the internet sooner. Anyone with any specific ro experience? Units, type etc. Thanks, dg | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 60 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.52.83 Rating: N/A |
Doyle, be careful with the truck wash most of those places use acid and it will destory your siding, just in case Brown didn't tell you | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1937 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.74.232 Rating: N/A |
They have do it yourself washes around here that do a great job for either washing or only rinsing the coach or trailer. Only costs a few bucks and gives you some good exercise. LOL Richard | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 84 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
I'm useing a Mr Clean filter and soap system for the bus and toad. One filter $6 will rinse the bus and toad one time! The soap lasts abut 2 filters. Where I am the water is very heavily mineralized. The other option I have are the 25 cent places (PIA) or wash the bus in the rain. HTH | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 619 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
John MC-9- beer is too valuable to waste on kids. |
