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.
vannchan said
11:35 PM Dec 15, 2018
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.
arcaguy said
09:42 AM Dec 16, 2018
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.
Lynn and Ed said
06:59 PM Dec 16, 2018
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).
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
Dave MW said
08:49 AM Jan 21, 2019
Thanks so much folks.
Certainly more research is needed in an effort to get it right the first time.
Dave
Hdrider said
07:00 AM Jan 24, 2019
We do almost exactly what Lynn & Ed do.
DaniellTaphous said
09:07 AM Jan 28, 2019
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.
Howard said
11:26 PM Jan 28, 2019
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.
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.
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.
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
Certainly more research is needed in an effort to get it right the first time.
Dave
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.