Whale carbon filter

Geggsie
Geggsie Forum Participant Posts: 15
edited September 2016 in Caravans #1

I have just bought a new van. There is a carbon filter on the end. Do these contain a pump and how do we replace them as I guess they have a limited shelf life?

Comments

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    WinkSimply unscrews...change every thirty odd days of use or annually whichever comes first.....or stick to gin and tonic which is slightly cheaper
    and more fun!

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited September 2016 #3

    I have just bought a new van. There is a carbon filter on the end. Do these contain a pump and how do we replace them as I guess they have a limited shelf life?

    The filters are model specific so basically you need to establish the make and model of your system and look for oneto fit that. If you have any doubts then take it out and to a dealers who will find you the right one. If you want after that you might get a better deal on line but that is up to you.

    Not sure what system you have but some older ones are a push fit.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #4

    It may not be a carbon filter, it may be a pump (if big) or a grit filter if small.

    Which van is it, make, model and year?

  • Geggsie
    Geggsie Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited September 2016 #5

    Sterling Eccles Jewel 2007

  • alfigone
    alfigone Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited September 2016 #6

    Hi Greggsie,

    If it's one of these Whale filters, then as previously advised they just unscrew, and a replcement is about a tenner.  There is however an alternative made by Filtapac, initially the cost is little more, but subsequently you just replace the carbon bags which you can usually get for around a fiver.  I prefer the filtapac, as there's little chance of the carbon granules getting into your pipes, & they're cheaper. Happy

    Paul.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #7

    Sterling Eccles Jewel 2007

    OK, so that is a Swift Group van, we also have Sterling.

    Swift do not fit filters.  We have had 2 Sterlings, 1998 and 2008, so that is at least 18 years Swift have not fitted filters.

    Is this a submersible pump, a thing about 150-200mm long on the end of a hose, that drops into the Aquaroll?  Or is it a small disc on the end of the "water uptake", and your pump is in the van?

    Either way, you have no filter, and you do not need one.  All water on sites is safe to drink.  Just be sure to clean your water system every so often using Puriclean.

  • Geggsie
    Geggsie Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited September 2016 #8

    It's on the end of the pipe where I expected to see the submersible pump

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #9

    Is it 150 -200mm long?  If so it is a pump

     

  • Geggsie
    Geggsie Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited September 2016 #10

    It looks like this https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/whale-aquasmart-filter-plug-assembly/1701 

  • squip
    squip Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited September 2016 #11

    I have a 2008 Swift group van and it is fitted with the whale filter and an internal pump.

    I cannot see the point of the filter, it will only filter out grit, and a damp filter left for a week or two between trips may well collect germs. I have removed the carbon inner and filled my filter casing with stones to weigh it down. If you really are
    worried about water quality then I think the Naturepure system is the best.

    squip

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #12

    Hmm, if it is identical to that, then possibly it is not original equipment, as Swift do not  usually fit filters.  Possibly a previous owner has changed to that.

    Do you have an onboard pump?  If so, really all you need is the "water uptake", ours has a small disc on the end that is a grit filter. never needs changed.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #13

    Suggestion above is good.

    We just have a small disc grit filter, always drink the water, been travelling UK and Europe since 2007 and had no adverse effects.

  • Geggsie
    Geggsie Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited September 2016 #14

    Never thought about an internal pump but that seems more logical. I guess I can just unscrew it and change it

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #15

    frankly, why bother, empty it and fill with stones as above, these filters are a hotbed for bacteria if not changed regularly.

  • Geggsie
    Geggsie Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited September 2016 #16

    Thanks for all the advice

  • squip
    squip Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited September 2016 #17

    If you have an on-board water pump it will probably be a Shure-Flo. If so these pumps are fitted with their own gauze grit filter. This is in a dome shaped piece on the side of the pump and the water inlet pipe connects to it. The filter can easily be cleaned
    by simply twisting off the dome and removing the gauze. The water system should be emptied first however.

    My caravan handbook mentions the "Whale Fresh Water Inlet (if fitted)" and has a picture and notes which refer to a carbon filter and give the replacement filter code as WF3000.

    squip

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #18

    I've got a Whale filter on the end of my Aquaroll pipe. Haven't changed it in five years. Embarassed

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #19

    Got a new caravan 2008 had an internal pump tube and filter into aquarole, the pump was very noisy the fitter told me to empty the carbon out and put two or three pebbles in and reseal to sink the fillter housing it did reduce the noise of the pump ever
    time I go for a service have to explain. 

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