Dishwasher water pressure issue
Ever since we bought our RV (new), we have noticed that the Fisher-Paykel dishwasher often is unable to complete a wash cycle. When it stops, it spits up a "U6" error code which indicates insufficient water pressure. I find that whenever we use our water pressure regulator outside (which is supposed to keep the pressure between 40-50 psi, the dishwasher usually stops. Without the regulator, it's hit or miss and depends on the RV park (and presumably, the pressure at the spigot).
I have been thinking about:
- buying a regulator that is set to 50-55 psi ($15)
- buying an adjustable regulator ($40, which would be worth it, but I've yet to find one with good customer reviews)
In the meantime, I called the manufacturer of our RV (it's a 2014 Thor Tuscany) and asked what the max water pressure is that they recommend. The customer service contact said don't exceed 50 psi. So maybe a more powerful or adjustable regulator isn't such a good idea after all. Next I called Fisher-Paykel and asked what pressure they require. I got a very indirect answer. They would not give me a pressure requirement (even though the error code says insufficient pressure). Instead they told me that the error I'm seeing will occur when the dishwasher can't pull 0.65 gal/min. Which sounded really low, but as an experiment, I measured flow through my kitchen sink and shower head just now with my regulator installed and they were only around 0.75 gal/min. The dishwasher has failed 5 out of 6 times that I've tried to run it at this location, meaning it ran to completion once. The other times, it would sometimes run for 10-20 minutes before failing, and sometimes would stop after 2-3 minutes. So I suppose I am at the cusp of what the dishwasher will tolerate.
I have also learned through measurement that my flow rate at my faucets doesn't seem to change regardless of whether I put the regulator at the spigot end or at the RV end of my 30 foot long hose, which kind of surprised me.
After all this, I decided to purchase a water pressure gauge so I can see what my regulator is providing, and also so that I can see what pressures seem to work and not work at various parks as we travel.
My questions are:
- Do others with Fisher Paykel washer drawers observe this problem?
- Have you found a solution?
- Do others have any other suggestions about what I might try? (besides the obvious --- "wash your dishes by hand")
Thanks!
I have been thinking about:
- buying a regulator that is set to 50-55 psi ($15)
- buying an adjustable regulator ($40, which would be worth it, but I've yet to find one with good customer reviews)
In the meantime, I called the manufacturer of our RV (it's a 2014 Thor Tuscany) and asked what the max water pressure is that they recommend. The customer service contact said don't exceed 50 psi. So maybe a more powerful or adjustable regulator isn't such a good idea after all. Next I called Fisher-Paykel and asked what pressure they require. I got a very indirect answer. They would not give me a pressure requirement (even though the error code says insufficient pressure). Instead they told me that the error I'm seeing will occur when the dishwasher can't pull 0.65 gal/min. Which sounded really low, but as an experiment, I measured flow through my kitchen sink and shower head just now with my regulator installed and they were only around 0.75 gal/min. The dishwasher has failed 5 out of 6 times that I've tried to run it at this location, meaning it ran to completion once. The other times, it would sometimes run for 10-20 minutes before failing, and sometimes would stop after 2-3 minutes. So I suppose I am at the cusp of what the dishwasher will tolerate.
I have also learned through measurement that my flow rate at my faucets doesn't seem to change regardless of whether I put the regulator at the spigot end or at the RV end of my 30 foot long hose, which kind of surprised me.
After all this, I decided to purchase a water pressure gauge so I can see what my regulator is providing, and also so that I can see what pressures seem to work and not work at various parks as we travel.
My questions are:
- Do others with Fisher Paykel washer drawers observe this problem?
- Have you found a solution?
- Do others have any other suggestions about what I might try? (besides the obvious --- "wash your dishes by hand")
Thanks!
