built in water filter

[Dave C]

When I had a narrowboat I had a water filter built in with a separate tap for filtered water. It was very good but at around £400 for the system a little on the pricy side.

 

There seems to be loads of "under sink" water filters available but I just wondered what sort, if any, folk have in their motorhomes. Surely not everyone uses bottled water.

 

With systems ranging in price from about £15 to several hundred pounds what do you use?

 

Dave

 

 

[Rayjsj]

Dave, we had the 'general ecology' tap and filter fitted into our van, when we bought it new 3 years ago, cost including fitting was £ 280. New filters are £60 but last for 2 seasons before needing changing. Much better that carting bottles of water about. The filters are guaranteed to stop all viruses , bacteria, etc. Never have water problems now.

[Robinhood]

...my current Hobby 'van came with one of these fitted from new.

 

http://www.campervanstuff.com/shop_stuff/index.php?mod=product&id_prd=1363

 

I believe Auto-Sleepers have also fitted (and may still do) them from new.

 

The filter which is used comes in a cheaper (E1) version which Auto-Sleepers used, and is basically a "taste" filter, and a more expensive (E2) version, fitted by Hobby, which is both a taste and high-spec bacterial filter (and I have continued to fit at replacement).

 

The replacement E2 filters aren't particularly easy to source in the UK, but ARE available at a lower price than from the above supplier from a UK filter specialist (the full kit isn't available for them).

 

I really dislike not using the on-board water for drinking, and having to lug about separate drinking-water bottles. In my previous 'van, I fitted the General Ecology filter, along with a dedicated drinking water tap, (which was required, as the flow-rate achievable through it was not enough to fit it in the main system - though fine for simply supplying drinking water).

 

Hobby install the 3M filter in-line with the main water system, directly after the pump, such that all water supplied to all taps is filtered. The flow rate is entirely adequate for this, even though the E2 (bacterial) filter is close in performance to the much-vaunted General Ecology one.

 

It is much more elegant not having a separate tap, and the rated filter capacity of 7500 litres lasts us a season (after which the filter should be replaced anyway). There is a bypass which allows water use without the filter in emergencies.

 

The whole thing is very simple, and has proven so acceptable over 5 years of the current 'van that I've bought a unit for my new one (next week I hope :-) ) and subject to the flow rate being OK after testing, will permanently install it.

 

 

 

[Dave C]

Rayjsj - 2015-05-05 12:31 PM

 

Dave, we had the 'general ecology' tap and filter fitted into our van, when we bought it new 3 years ago, cost including fitting was £ 280. New filters are £60 but last for 2 seasons before needing changing. Much better that carting bottles of water about. The filters are guaranteed to stop all viruses , bacteria, etc. Never have water problems now.

 

This is the one I had in the boat - now £382 and replacement cartridges at £77 so I was hoping for something a bit cheaper!

 

Dave

 

 

[Robinhood]

.......makes £115 (as above) and £58 ( http://www.pozzani.co.uk/water-filters-1686/product_info.html ) look positively cheap!.

 

;-)

 

[pepe63xnotuse]

Is there any reason why ordinary "household" filters can't be used?(...insufficient/incorrect pressure, perhaps?)

 

eg- http://www.screwfix.com/p/high-capacity-water-filter-kit-10/16747

 

 

[Robinhood]

....I think much depends on the nature of the filter you want to fit.

 

There's a certain amount of sense in fitting a filter to a motorhome/caravan that has the performance of the E2 3M filter or the General Ecology kit, (0.2 to 0.4 micron), rather than a 5 micron filter typical of household performance as in your link, as it will filter considerably more nasties out than the latter (e-coli being a good example - the better filter will remove a claimed 99.99% - well, they weren't going to claim 100% in a litigious society, were they? ;-) ).

 

The difference really is in removing significantly more bacterial or parasitic presence (some completely, though not all, should it be there), whereas a 5 micron filter is more oriented at removing impurities that affect the taste of the water, but will allow through most bacterial and similar nasties.

 

You pays your money and you takes your choice - I would generally expect my house water supply to be safe, but it may taste of Chlorine - having seen what happens around the world at drinking water taps from which I might take on board water, I'd rather take a few precautions wit that supply.

 

 

[Rayjsj]

This is direct from the General Ecology website :

 

http://www.purewateronline.co.uk/400009-Nature-Pure-Ultrafine-Cartridge.html

 

 

£62 I only change mine every other season, as flow is not reduced. I also managed to get 2 on a special offer for £100.

For me the cost is worth it for the peace of mind.

 

 

ps they now do a 'newer' type for £284 but believe the replacement cartridges are dearer.

 

http://www.purewateronline.co.uk/420400-Nature-Pure-Quick-Change-with-Faucet.html

 

 

The differance is that the Screwfix filter stops sediment down to 5 microns, the General Ecology one one goes down to .4 of a micron, and stops viruses,cysts,bacteria etc., consequently the flow rate is a lot lower and requires a small bore tap. Agree that it is a lot more expensive though.

It's the differance between a 'Taste Filter' and a 'Bacteria Screen Filter'.

(Robin, sorry, just read your post and realise I have re-said a lot of what you have put.)

Ray

[bigparkie]

We carry 2x 5 litre bottle then refill at the tap

[candapack]

Some water filter jugs also claim to remove 99.99% of nasties, at a cost of £20 - £40.

Once it's fitted, the inline system is easier to use and no jug needed, but is it worth the extra cost?

I ask because I am swithering between one and t'other for new van.

[George Collings]

Each to their own taste but we have spent in excess of 1500 night in the vans over the last 17 years at home and on the continent.

 

We draw the local municipal supplies and for drinking store it in 6 X 2 litre milk containers( handier than 5 litre) and use it untreated without any obvious harm to health.

 

The same goes for tooth brushing,dish and clothes washing from the main fresh water tank. but as the vans were SH the tanks history was unknown so we keep the drinking water seperate.

 

 

[lennyhb]

I fitted a Whale inline filter a few months ago cost about 12 quid, not had a nasty tasting cup of tea since it does what we want, but it won't make undrinkable water safe. So far we have only used the van in Europe and for that it's fine.

[Will H]

We never use any filters, either in the van or the house and see it unnecessary.

 

We prefer to take in every bug possible so giving us future protection from unknown impurities.

 

We are very fit and healthy and have a good immune system.

 

Will 86

[Wirehaired]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/231036101251?adgroupid=16885268106&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-124273560066&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=270621186&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80 I work in the water cooler business we use these Doulton ceramic filters and find they are the best quality,on the mains fed coolers we change them every six months,maybe they could be used in the Motorhome,the pipes tend to be the push fit types.

[Wirehaired]

http://www.andrewswater.co.uk/doulton-hip-housing-with-ultracarb-ceramic-filter-removes-cryptosporidium

 

These are the ffilter Housings used.

[tugga]

We have a Triflow system in the house and as we spend a lot of time away from home, we only change the ceramic filter yearly instead of 6 monthly. We like this system and rarely get any problems with it.

 

I looked at the Nature Pure system at the Lincoln Show and was very impressed with it, but the filter housing was too big for our under sink as the drawers are very long. It wasn't until we got home that I thought about housing it in the washroom sink as we have a large cupboard under it. This way we thought we could run it through the cold tap rather than have a second tap. We worked out the gas kettle would fit under it ok but the electric kettle would too so long as we don't want to fill it right up. It would also be good for cleaning our teeth.

 

I still feel that I would like one fitted as we drink a lot of boiled water, but its up to OH whether it gets done and things seem to take a long time to get done if he isn't keen. 8-)

[david lloyd]

Wirehaired - 2015-10-24 7:00 PM

 

http://www.andrewswater.co.uk/doulton-hip-housing-with-ultracarb-ceramic-filter-removes-cryptosporidium

 

These are the ffilter Housings used.

 

Hi, we have been trying to find a suitable filter for our new PVC but so far the usual ones have been too big to locate them in line. The suppliers were also a little concerned that a submersible pump like that fitted to the Carthago Malibu would not have sufficient pressure to use with a filter this fine.

 

Does this one take up much space, need much pressure?

 

Thanks

David

 

[Wirehaired]

Size could be problem Dave,these ones are 12inches in length and circumference at the widest point is 10 inches,don't think preasure would be a problem,we just fit them in line from a mains supply to the cooler.