Our campground (jointly with a water treatment co.) has a nice little business of offering resin tanks to campground residents on a seasonal rental. If I wanted to DIY my own tank what valve would I use to connect to my RV. Is it simply in / out? The tanks are mounted outdoors. I have seen some discussions of algae growth pertaining to white hoses and using a gray hose was preferred. I can only assume that a white hose allows sunlight to stimulate the growth. Does anyone have any experience to offer so I get it right the first time?
Resin tank to seasonal campgound?
- Thread starter SWMICH
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Bannerman
Well-Known Member
From your description, it sounds as though they are renting you an "exchange" tank which they then take back and regenerate, which afterwards, they return to you or another 'camper'
If you wish for a softener, purchase your own complete unit which can automatically regenerate when needed. Many softeners are located outdoors in warm areas such as Florida, California etc, but those units need to be protected from sunlight as UV light can not only breakdown plastic fittings and tanks, but sunlight can penetrate the translucent resin tank to encourage algae growth inside the tank.
If your trailer is located in Michigan, you will have a problem with storage of an outside softener during winter. Perhaps that maybe the greatest benefit to renting a softener from the campground as they worry about winter storage and preventing freezing.
If you wish for a softener, purchase your own complete unit which can automatically regenerate when needed. Many softeners are located outdoors in warm areas such as Florida, California etc, but those units need to be protected from sunlight as UV light can not only breakdown plastic fittings and tanks, but sunlight can penetrate the translucent resin tank to encourage algae growth inside the tank.
If your trailer is located in Michigan, you will have a problem with storage of an outside softener during winter. Perhaps that maybe the greatest benefit to renting a softener from the campground as they worry about winter storage and preventing freezing.
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Ohhh. A swing and a miss. Ha ha.
YEP. A DIY exchange tank program. I have a system at home. I'd like to purchase an additional resin tank and resin. Then regenerate the new tank and take it to the campground to connect it to the RV for the summer only. The tank goes home for the winter. The specific question I would like help with is, "What is the appropriate valve and fittings suitable for outdoor connection to an RV? " So if someone has had the experience of using or setting up a similar installation I would be grateful to hear about your setup and experience. I have a tiny amount of information that some users have experienced algae growth and some users experienced plastic degradation. Is a simple shade effective or do I need to avoid UV sensitive plastic fittings and light colored hoses that would promote photosynthesis.
The park program costs over $200 per season for 1 tank. Like I said. A nice little business. They have hundreds of tanks in rental each season. It is a large campground.
You are asking what adapters your camper needs to fill it with water? The softener itself would probably use 3/4 NTP threads, so you can find a suitable hose to adapt I suspect.
If you want to do your own, how DIY are you? You don't need a controller. You could figure out how to get enough salt into the tank, and let it marinate. Then flush the salt out, and put it in service.
You could pick up an old 3/4 cuft softer close to free on CL. If it is an old Autotrol control, you could turn the cam by hand. The control could have a stripped gear or bad motor.
Paint the tank to keep sun from getting in that way.
This is not intended to be a full set of instructions. Just an idea to get you started thinking.
If you want to do your own, how DIY are you? You don't need a controller. You could figure out how to get enough salt into the tank, and let it marinate. Then flush the salt out, and put it in service.
You could pick up an old 3/4 cuft softer close to free on CL. If it is an old Autotrol control, you could turn the cam by hand. The control could have a stripped gear or bad motor.
Paint the tank to keep sun from getting in that way.
This is not intended to be a full set of instructions. Just an idea to get you started thinking.
Because the tank will most likely last an entire "camping" season without needing to regenerate I only need to have the tank plumbed to the trailer water supply. I've got that. You did answer my question by suggesting I look for an old tank valve regardless of it functioning. I doubt though that the contractor supplying the exchange tanks has a controller at all. Just a basic valve adapted for the purpose of routing water through the tank.
Is their such a valve? Where would I find it?
Is their such a valve? Where would I find it?
ditttohead
Water systems designer, R&D
Not really a DIY forum topic. I sent you a PM. We design regeneration plants. For your application a simple "In Tank" regen system would be ideal. These are miniature, cheap, simple regen plants. There are a few problems associated with this design but they are easily overcome with some basic preventative maintenance.
Clack 1191 provides the connections and bypass. The 1190FP adds a fill port, which I think you could use to dump in salt for regen.
ditttohead
Water systems designer, R&D
With an "In Tank" regen design we simply hook the tanks up by quick disconnects, press a button and the tank regenerates (or multiple tanks). Very simple and cheap design, great for starting a Portable Exchange Tank program. Once the business grows it makes more sense to do a proper design but these start at about 10-100K. In tank regen systems can be designed for a few hundred bucks...
I'm not sure where I went wrong - but all I wanted was an in/out valve to throw my resin tank onto my trailers water connection. Possibly you haven't read the whole thread.
ditttohead
Water systems designer, R&D
In out head... there are dozens available. Are you wanting to be able to add salt for regenerating the resin? Do you want to have an available integrated bypass? Check out this page for just a small sample of the in/out heads available, dozens more available. https://view.publitas.com/impact-water-products/2018-catalog-final/page/140-141
Perfect. Thank you.
I'm looking for a resin tank that I can build up. A simple in out head. Now I know to match the tube size. Thank you for sharing you're experience.
If anyone near SW Michigan has an inoperative system I can salvage I'd love to here what you have.
I didn't think there was a SW Michigan. Would that be Marinette, Ironwood, or St Joe?
Closer to St Joe. I had to look up the spelling of yooper if that’s the connection you’re making. All troll here.I didn't think there was a SW Michigan. Would that be Marinette, Ironwood, or St Joe?
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