Carver Mk 2 water filter.

[GrahamE]

Due to last Thursdays unexpected frost I went down to the storage park and removed the Carver Mk 2 water filter and replaced it with a spare screw cap. The filter housing was clean and free from any remaining water. Before I threw the old filter away I thought I would have a quick look inside it, I removed the first foam part and found the gauze was stained partly brown and what looked like white mould lumps growing on this. Last year all parts of the filter were clean, new filter fitted and the system was cleaned out before the season started. Is this usual, common
or should I worry. The system will get a cleansing before we go away next year and I have a new filter ready.

 

[RogerL]

As far as I recall the Carver filter should only be used for 30 days use.

I use the Filtapac Econoflo inline filter which needs replacing annually, or 2000 litres, whichever comes first.

Like you, I cleanse the system each year before use and then fit a new filter.

 

[GrahamE]

As far as I recall the Carver filter should only be used for 30 days use.

Just checked on the Truma website and it says it should be used for 30 days of caravanning, weather that means 30 days over the season or replaced after 30 days from fitted ie change aprox every month I cant tell. Do the filters you use fit as a direct replacement or does the filter housing have to be changed.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm pretty certain the instruction was a total of 30 days use, which would cover most caravanners usage for the season, so basically change it at the beginning of your first trip out. Obviously if you use your caravan more that that more frequent changes would be advised.

The filter contained silver impregnated activated carbon, which helped to prevent the filter from becoming infested during the periods between using the caravan.

 

[RogerL]

The Truma filter, fitted to modern caravans, should be replaced 30 days after first use - I simply removed the filter from the housing, refitted the sealing cap, and then fitted the Filtapac in the bed box as an inline filter.

The Truma filter is about £11 (per month) the Filtapac is about £7 (per year) but the filter housing costs about £25 including the first filter. It's silver-impregnated so not inferior to the Truma one.

All the information you need is on Filtapac's website but it seems to be down right now.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

We removed the filter element on both our last two vans. We don't see the need for it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

We removed the filter element on both our last two vans. We don't see the need for it.

In the UK, there should be no need for it to filter the water to make it potable, but where you may have a spring source or places abroad where the source is unknown or suspect, the filter can prevent some nasties getting in.

Even in the UK the filter may remove some of the higher levels of chlorine and other chemicals to make it more palatable to use for drinks.

 

[Damian]

Water filters are a waste of money and a good source of unwanted bacteria, which explains why most manufacturers do not fit them.
Once a water filter is wetted, it should be changed every 30 days, or you stand a very good chance of it becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.

Contrary to Prof JohnL's post, the carbon used is NOT silver impregnated and having seen the state of some of them the best thing to do with them is throw them away.

 

[GrahamE]

The mess on the gauze part reminded me of the school science lessons when you grew something on a glass dish of red jelly.

 

[ProfJohnL]

...............Contrary to Prof JohnL's post, the carbon used is NOT silver impregnated and having seen the state of some of them the best thing to do with them is throw them away.

The carbon used in the original Carver Crystal units was most definately silver impregnated. I can't comment regarding other manufacturers products, or unofficial replacements.

 

[gary]

I suggest there would be legal implications if silver was left out and a water filter was a breeding ground for bugs?
Certainly never had a problem with mine and that was changed once a year, that's after a seasons weekends of use!
Overall, sterilizing the pipework is essential to cut down taste problems and I'd agree that fixed water filters are a waste of money

 

[Gafferbill]

............never had a caravan with a water filter.
The system just gets sterilised once a year and the submersible pump after every trip out.

 

[GrahamE]

An overnight soak with Puriclean tabs will be in order at the start of next season, system, pump and Aquaroll. Thank you all for your help. I will replace the filter after this is done in case I use water from around where I live as its more a case of keeping the lumps out. (a sieve would be more appropriate ) looking in side our kettle at home.