I've upgraded from an inline Camco water filter to a bumper mounted canister style

[Steve Morris]

I've seen similar filter and water softener additions. Here's mine.

I recently saw that James at FitRV released a single 2.5" X 10" water filter element to replace the standard 3-stage system. I've considered one of the smaller 3-stage systems as an upgrade, so I thought I'd give this a try as a less expensive alternative. Of course using one 3-stage filter instead of three separate filters is going to mean a shorter interval between replacement. But the cost difference should be negligible, and I won't have to find a place to store a 3-stage system.

Here's the FitRV video and article:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/t_SQNVapBEw?si=FfufAl7n4p_80Eys
Web article: https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tech/our-new-rv-water-filter-the-fit-rv-3-in-1-filter/

I bought a cheap filter canister from Amazon, that arrived with horribly oversized 3/4" NPT pipe threads, and enough slop that the filter moved over 1/8" up and down. That's not going to work at all, so back it went and a GE housing was ordered. Much better!

I assembled with a 3/4" NPT to 3/4" GHT (garden hose thread) on each end; one male-to-male, and the other male-to-female. Then I gave it a test fit on Curiosity's rear bumper. Dummy! The hoses would interfere with the trailer body and the drop down sewers cover. :facepalm: Back to Amazon for a pair of 90° 3/4" GHT male-to-female connectors. In hindsight, I should have used a 90° 3/4 NPT to 3/4 GHT set, but looking today, I couldn't find that combination. This also allowed me some flexibility in the angle of the input and output.

Back when I ordered the Oliver, and spent those agonizing months waiting for delivery day, I accumulated a bunch of bits and pieces to get ready to go. (Didn't we all?) One was an adjustable water pressure regulator. I didn't realize that Oliver would supply a fixed 40 PSI inline regulator, and the inline unit was convenient to store with the Camco inline water filters I've been using. So now's the opportunity to get it off the garage shelf and put it to use!

I drilled and tapped two threads into the side of the bumper support, and screwed and LocTited in two stainless screws. These are used to hang the whole contraption while in use. It'll be stored in my bucket during transport.

I hope this is helpful for anyone wanting to upgrade from an inline water filter. 

List of components:

GE Filter Housing: https://a.co/d/7cbaS28
FitRV 3-in-one filter: https://a.co/d/b0NzDt8
Camco 4' Potable Water Hose: https://a.co/d/eVeV4BJ
3/4" NPT to 3/4" GHT fitting: male-to-male (2-pack): https://a.co/d/5MopLFL
3/4" NPT to 3/4" GHT fitting: male-to-female 2-pack): https://a.co/d/dE1gWDC
90° 3/4" GHT Elbow: male-to-female (2-pack): https://a.co/d/24kw8xO
Teflon tape for NPT threads

Total cost: $133 plus tax

 

Question: The fixed pressure regulator that came with the Oliver is 40 PSI. I've set the adjustable water pressure regulator to the same 40 PSI. What pressure do those of you with adjustable regulators use?

 

 

[Geronimo John]

Very excellent post.  I am sure  many OTT owners will follow your lead.  I especially like your mounting concept.  When being used, it is secure and out of the way.  Since your picture shows it feeding water to the fresh water tank, I suspect that when the tank is full, you secure the system elsewhere.

One possible alternative to the "Black Water Area" of the OTT trailers would be to use you exact set-up, but drill the holes into the Basement Storage area lid.  (Using flat stock on the inside for reinforcement).   This alternative mounting location would get it away from potential contamination of the OTT sewer outlet leakage and Black/Gray tank dump process.  Additionally benefit is it would be higher and easier to use for some of us RoF's.  🙂

Other than that I think you have hit a home run! 

GJ

Edited October 29 by Geronimo John

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, Steve Morris said:

Question: The fixed pressure regulator that came with the Oliver is 40 PSI. I've set the adjustable water pressure regulator to the same 40 PSI. What pressure do those of you with adjustable regulators use?

Steve, this is an excellent mod! I had not heard of a 3-stage in one filter and shorter filter life is fine for us who travel occasionally. I spent double building a dual filter system with Clearsource components an it’s heavy / bulky. Your build  is perfect!

Your water pump is likely 50 PSI or more.  I installed a variable speed pump at 60 PSI. You can run anywhere in the 40-60 PSI range. PEX is rated at 100 PSI.

Our older hull has built-in pressure restrictors, not regulators, which can be seen in this picture. The plumbing diagram only shows back flow preventers, but it has both inline devices on Fresh and City water inlets. They truly impede water flow and I will remove ours eventually and add an external adjustable regulator like yours.

if we use the City water connection, the water flow rate is poor due to the restrictor. When we fill the Fresh Water tank, it fills slowly, but the onboard pump delivers much better pressure. Not sure if all Olivers have the internal restrictor but something to look into since whatever pressure you’re setting it reduces the flow rate (GPM) at the faucets.

[Patriot]

Steve, 

Very nice install.

I purchased and installed these Ely quick connects on my city and fresh tank connectors a few years ago on XPLOR.

They are a little pricey but 💯 brass and USA 🇺🇸 made not CCP 🇨🇳 junk. They really do make quick work of hooking up your water sources during take set up or take down of your base camp. 

One of my top smaller mods for sure. 

https://www.eleyhosereels.com/products/garden-hose-quick-connectors?_pos=1&_sid=dc579a2e3&_ss=r

 

Edited October 29 by Patriot

[Steve Morris]

8 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Since your picture shows it feeding water to the fresh water tank, I suspect that when the tank is full, you secure the system elsewhere.

Honestly, I just hooked it up for the photo, and didn’t look at which port I attached it to. 🤪

Usually, I fill up at home without a filter for trips under a week. I use the filter when on full hookups or when we need to refill on the road. Heading to Florida for two months this winter, any the timely release of this new FitRV 3-in-1 filter prompted this upgrade. 

I considered the proximity of the hanging location to the septic outlet. But we rarely use full hookups sites. The filter would be stored in my bucket at a dump station (which we also rarely use, as I use a macerator pump at home into my septic tank for trips under a week.)

Hanging on the basement door would work and maybe be a more sanitary location. I’m in the basement frequently, so not ideal in full hookup settings. Both have compromises. It could be placed in a stand on the ground, too, and moved under the trailer. Lots of options. 

Thanks for your input!

[Steve Morris]

6 minutes ago, Patriot said:

I purchased and installed these Ely quick connects on my city and fresh tank connectors a few years ago on XPLOR.

Thanks, David 

What do you use to cover them to prevent contamination and dirt while on the road?

[rideadeuce]

1 hour ago, Steve Morris said:

Thanks, David 

What do you use to cover them to prevent contamination and dirt while on the road?

https://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/products/kwik-link-connect-system-90?srsltid=AfmBOoqDmJNms7camHGuO4lzVh1ExSXi1dzYkfr0DoPzl1VMP0qVfYAE

Similar quality to Eley products and they come with a cover. I have had them in use on all water connections for 6 years. Work great. They use to have one that was less than 90 degrees, worked great on the city and fresh water inlets. But I don’t see it now. I zip tied the OEM threaded cover to the rubber cover to keep it safe and out of the way. Leaving the QC on semi-permanently and then attaching QC to all your hoses makes setup and takedown much easier and quicker. 

120 degree?

90 degree

Edited October 29 by rideadeuce

[Steve Morris]

4 hours ago, Patriot said:

They are a little pricey but 💯 brass and USA 🇺🇸 made not CCP 🇨🇳 junk.

Unfortunately, not since 2006. 🤨 They list the couplings under "Watering Tools"

Fabrication & Packaging

• United States - Garden Hose (Reno, NV)
• China - Hose Reels & Watering Tools

 

2 hours ago, rideadeuce said:

They use to have one that was less than 90 degrees, worked great on the city and fresh water inlets

That's an interesting idea! 45° or 60° would have been great. I'm not sure coming in from straight down would be beneficial.
 

Edited October 29 by Steve Morris

[Patriot]

10 hours ago, Steve Morris said:

Thanks, David 

What do you use to cover them to prevent contamination and dirt while on the road?

Never had an issue with contamination or dirt, I use the OEM black caps on a chain. This method has served us well.

Edited October 29 by Patriot

[Ronbrink]

23 hours ago, Patriot said:

Steve, 

Very nice install.

I purchased and installed these Ely quick connects on my city and fresh tank connectors a few years ago on XPLOR.

They are a little pricey but 💯 brass and USA 🇺🇸 made not CCP 🇨🇳 junk. They really do make quick work of hooking up your water sources during take set up or take down of your base camp. 

One of my top smaller mods for sure. 

https://www.eleyhosereels.com/products/garden-hose-quick-connectors?_pos=1&_sid=dc579a2e3&_ss=r

 

I did the same couple years ago, easy one-hand operation and full hose flow to boot! 

[Steve Morris]

On 10/29/2024 at 7:34 PM, Patriot said:

Never had an issue with contamination or dirt, I use the OEM black caps on a chain. This method has served us well.

My Eley Quick Connects arrived today. Those are beastly things!

David, I'm confused. How do the threaded black caps fit on the quick disconnects. They are much too small on mine.

 

@Ronbrink Are the white caps that you shw in the above photo these? For some reason, I have them in my Amazon Oliver wish list, but I added them in late 2022, even before I had my trailer. I'm guessing someone linked them for some purpose, and this is all I can think of.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEQ433S

[Ronbrink]

1 hour ago, Steve Morris said:

Are the white caps that you shw in the above photo these?

Yes, I took the ball chain off the stock black ones and screwed onto these Igloo caps. They won’t screw onto the Eleys, rather press on instead.

[Steve Morris]

@Ronbrink Thank you! Now on order. 

[Patriot]

3 hours ago, Steve Morris said:

David, I'm confused. How do the threaded black caps fit on the quick disconnects. They are much too small on mine.

Steve,

My stock black caps fit my ELys perfectly. This is how I roll using my Ely QCs.

 

[Steve Morris]

@Patriot Ah, I see. You have an additional set of the female half of the quick connects. That’s an expensive cap! Thanks for clarifying. 👍

[Patriot]

9 hours ago, Steve Morris said:

@Patriot Ah, I see. You have an additional set of the female half of the quick connects. That’s an expensive cap! Thanks for clarifying. 👍

You bet, once and done! This configuration has served us very well.👍🏻