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Topic: Water Hardness Tester (Read 596 times) previous topic - next topic

Water Hardness Tester

I have added a water softener to my coach. Can anyone recommend a simple and reliable hardness tester? Since I could only muster a "C" in my last college chemistry class (50 years ago) it needs to be pretty simple. 
Suggestions pls.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #1 –
Lots of kits available if you search using: water hardness tester. Don't know which would be best for your application, but Home Depot lists one for $9.98
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #2 –
I was looking at the Hach 5EP.  Anyone use this one?
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #3 –

Did your water softener come with test strips?  Mine did.  There are enough strips to last for years at the rate we are using them.  So far we are regenerating our softener (Watts RV PRO-1000) at about 700-800 gallon intervals.  Sometimes we can sense the water is hard sooner based in source. 

Here is another kit that tests all sorts of water quality items.

Amazon.com: Watts Premier 173006 All-In-One Water Test Kit: Industrial &...

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Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #4 –
Mine came with a kit that you have evaluate soap bubbles in a sample. Add a drop of detergent (I guess) in the sample and shake it up. If it makes long lasting bubbles then the water is soft. I want something that is a little more definitive than that.
I guess the test strips are compared to a color chart to determine hardness.
Roger, do you use a water meter to determine the gallons used?
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #5 –
Sort of seat of the pants on water used but a  meter would be nice.  We fill the tank, about 100 gallons, and use water out of the tank.  Pretty good idea of what is left from the SeeLevel.  So after seven or eight fills we are close to 700 gallons.  We seem to be able to tell when it is getting less soft pretty well, a little iron smell in the water and it is time, test with a strip and then run a regeneration cycle.  It takes only about 20 minutes. And then fill again.

Sometimes when we fill the tank through the water softener we will leave it hooked up for a while to the city water for a Hollywood shower.  If you use city water for laundry etc and everyday use then your use will be harder figure.  A meter would be nice here. Haven't found the one I want yet.

The water softener folks told me that 750 gallons is about right for typical water.  Last winter in Parker, AZ we were using the softener on every fill and regenerating every third fill. Nasty water there.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #6 –
I am not to fussy about water, Johnny Walker black, a little water and ice is perfect.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #7 –
We have the Hach 5B Hardness test kit. Catalog # 145300  Works great every time. We use it and a portable water meter to calculate softener regeneration cycles.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #8 –
Bob, what water meter?
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water Hardness Tester

Reply #9 –

Rodger and Susan,

I have a  Assured Automation water meter.  I have it installed downstream of the filter/softener.
Assured Automation WM-PC Series Plastic Water Meter 3/4": Amazon.com:...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD