Portable water Softner

busted2341

Well-known member
I have a question. I ordered the Portable water softner by On The Go from Amazon, sold by PPL. (its the same one sold by Camping World). When I received it, I opened the cap on the softner and discovered a brown crystal like substance all over the top and cap. I returned that one and requested a refund fearing it was used allready. PPL sent me another one just like the first. It had brown crystals in the top just like the first. Am I missing something here? Should it contain those as a Brand new Softner? I have included a pic so I hope someone has some experience with this water softner.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FCE0MQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 

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dewwood

Well-known member
That is the resin which softens the water as it flows through the softener. You will need to clean it with salt when necessary to recharge the softener. Read the directions which came with the softener or go to the company website to learn how to operate the softener. The resin is supposed to be there.
 

avvidclif

Well-known member
Curiosity got to you. Should have just installed it by the book and gone on. That's one of my faults too, I want to see what's in something...
 

rxbristol

Well-known member
Like already mentioned, that's the resin that the minerals attach to and once you get water flowing it will settle to the bottom. Salt creates a chemical reaction that removes the minerals from the resin. Be careful when doing the dishes after the water softener is installed--the soap and water will be as slick as snot and you may drop a dish or glass.
 

busted2341

Well-known member
Thanx All....Wheww.....Maybe my fault is I look into things just a bit much....Thanx again...time to get the water flowing...lol
 

RoadJunkie

Well-known member
Frank, like anything, the portable WS tanks need maintenance to keep the water soft. For example, how do you know when your water is soft? A key to using a portable WS is the use of water test strips (The Home Depot) that indicates the current level of water hardness. Let me take a step back.

The resin, the brown crystals you mentioned, are like small magnets for calcium deposits that are byproducts of some water sources. These deposits are what makes water hard. As water moves around the resin the deposits adhere to their surface and soft water is delivered. Eventually, the resin becomes saturated with deposits and the delivered water now hard. So you must "regenerate" the resin which chemically scrubs the resin pellets and allows the softening process to repeat. The regeneration process uses salt.

Through experimentation, I have developed a process for regeneration the seems to provide a deeper scrubbing of the resin and therefore a longer period between regens. I use a half gallon milk carton and add the salt to about 2 pints of water. Shake vigorously to develop a salt brine. Disconnect the water softener from the RV and empty it using the downstream hose connector. Do not remove the top from the tank or attempt to empty from the inlet hose connection as you will loose the resin. Get as much water out of the tank as possible. I actually blow into the inlet to pressure the water out. Now, take off the top and pour the brine into the tank, pausing to shake the milk carton solution to maximize the amount of salt. When brine solution is completely in the tank fill any remaining void with water. Now roll and shake the tank to help ensure all of the resin is exposed to the brine. I plan my regeneration cycles to coincide with when we're going to be gone for a few hours and let the tank soak in the brine.

Now, it's time to flush out the salt brine. I connect to the water source and slowly push water through the tank while using a section of hose to divert the flow and prevent the salt from killing plants or grass. Using my self-calibrated rate of flow, it usually take about 10 minutes to remove the brine. Brine is gone when the water passes the taste test for salt-free taste. Reconnect the tank to the RV and your done. Whew...that was a lot of work! Now sit back and have a beer.
 

IronJ

Well-known member
I had my son drain the water once.....he poured out all the "brown junk"...🙄..

They will sell you more brown junk (resin)...it's not cheap....lol

sent from space via an invisible beam from a flying metal dish
 

mlpeloquin

Well-known member
Frank, like anything, the portable WS tanks need maintenance to keep the water soft. For example, how do you know when your water is soft? A key to using a portable WS is the use of water test strips (The Home Depot) that indicates the current level of water hardness. Let me take a step back.

I have been using soft water for most of my life. When your skin is not super slick after rinsing off soap, it is time to regenerate. Never used the hardness test strips. Your skin is slick do to your oil gland pours not being clogged with the calcium and other minerals.
 
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