I have just recently become obsessed with the look of my cars boat etc. In the process I have done a lot of research and found this site to be very helpful. In the process of doing my research I located a portable water softner that is used for the RV industry. It available from camping world for about $250. I live in SoCal and have extremely hard water, somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 grains. this softner has changed my water to 2 grains. The manufacturer is a company called Franko in Minnesota. I called them and they have refurbished units available for $150. The unit is really easy to use I can wash my Excursion, Boat, and Expedition 20 times before having to recharge it with 4lbs of ice cream rock salt. The number for Franko is. 800 967 1762
they are in Luvern, MN
they are in Luvern, MN