Water pressure regulator

[theoldwizard1]

When my daughter's family bought a RV last year, they bought a (rather expensive) surge protector and a water pressure regulator. The surge protector does not "turn on" until it see several minutes of constant voltage, which will catch you unless you remember this. The pressure regulator result in low volume/pressure at the faucets inside.

I can kind of understand the surge protector but I never used a water pressure regulator back when I was an active camper.

How many do or do NOT use a water pressure regulator ?

Are there good ones that do not result in low volume/pressure ?

[old_guy]

I use a vaterra pressure reg, I had a white rv hose swell up so much I thought the hose ate a rabbit

[garyemunson]

My previous used RV came with a nice looking but unbranded brass pressure regulator that SERIOUSLY lowered pressure and volume. After suffering with that for several trips I bought a similar looking Camco brand from Amazon and the problem was gone! Looking inside both, the unbranded one seemed to have much smaller passages for water to pass through. It certainly would have protected my RV plumbing but with aggravating results! Not all regulators are the same although they may look similar.

[NMDriver]

I suspect you have a restricted faucet not a pressure problem. Remember that pressure and volume are two different things. You can have high volume with low pressure and visa versa. An "expensive" regulator should not affect volume. Pipe obstructions are the cause of low flow, if the source has good volume.

Check the screens on the regulator, inlets, and faucets.

If your flow is restricted with both the fresh tank pump and street spigot then it is likely inside faucets. If it is only restricted with the street supply and regulator then it is likely the screens in the hose or regulator to the RV.

[theoldwizard1]

I'll bet the problem is the cheap inline regulator. I'll suggest they get a Watts LFH560G.

Any issues hooking it to an RV water inlet ? Use a short piece of hose ? Place it on parks water supply ?

[goducks10]

I use mine every time. It's set to 50 lbs. No problem with pressure.

[Crabbypatty]

Always! as the system is designed for 50 lbs or so. I have hooked to water that was 110lbs. When rving the last thing i want to have is a problem, especially when it cannot happen with an inexpensive device. Then its my fault if i dont use it.

[wa8yxm]

There are pressure regulators and there are PRESSURE REGULATORS!!!

Now the "Standard" regulator marketed to RVers is a cylinder, about 3/4" in diamater, female hose on one end, male is actually the body. JUNK

THe High FLow, is like the above with either wings or a bright plastic grip on the female end.. like the above JUNK

Sur-Flo markets an IN-Ine.. it is identical to the bult in regulator on high end RVs only with a screw on male hose adapter on the outlet port.. I give it a 9 when new. (NOT JUNK)

Valterra makes an adjustable unit, NOT a cylinder like the standared RV uints. I have not tested it but others speak highly of it.

Watts (Makers of Sur-Flo) and Zurin both make a line of regulators. These hafe a bell shaped upper housing with a bolt in the midde of it (Pressure adjustment) where a standard bell would attach to the handle or cradle.

You also need a pressure gauge. a Y and hose adapters.

OH, new they are 10s. Solid 10s. as they age however they 9-8-7-6 but you can rebuild them and back to 10.

[craig7h]

As for the flow at the faucets. Have you checked all of the screens ment to catch debree. I know I have two before the water even gets to the camper. Then check the screens attached to the faucets, if dirty at all they will cause a water slow down.

[Rover_Bill]

First, typical water pressure in S&B is usually between 80-100 psi while in a TT between 40-60 psi. The TT has flexible plastic pipes so it can't that high pressure supplied in many campgrounds therefore an add-on external pressure regulator is highly recommended.

Second, there are two types of pressure regulators - adjustable and non-adjustable. Non-adjustable ones are the cheapest and most commonly used. They output pressure typically at 40-50 psi. The adjustable ones will output at any pressure up to the supply line pressure. At 40-50 psi, both regulators will output very similar amounts of water. So if you want more water volume go with an adjustable regulator set to a higher pressure.

Third, be sure to attach your regulator directly to the campground supply spigot and then attach your water hose to the regulator. If you attach the water hose first, you may get a water leak at both ends of the hose.

[Old-Biscuit]

I have a Watts adjustable water pressure regulator......4 gpm max flow and I keep it set to 50# static pressure.

Never had/used a regulator before as camping was rarely at any place that had continuous water hookup.
But when we went FT I got one based on reports of CGs having high pressure.....which we did find true.

But after a little more then a year on the road we stopped using 'city water' connections due to a fitting failure in the middle of the night (fitting must have been cracked during original install and then finally blew apart).
$6000 in damages/costs---we went back to using fresh water tank and pump which has a 45# discharge and 'cycles' should a leak begin.

IF one is going to connect to 'city water' then it is good idea to have/use a good quality water pressure regulator at the source to mitigate high pressure excursions at CGs

[bob213]

A good pressure regulator does not reduce flow. I use a Watts set at 53#. That with an Oygenics shower head gives me a shower like at home. There are cheaper regulators than the Watts that work well. Most of the adjustable regulators will outperform the preset ones. I don't hook up to a water source without it.

[JimK-NY]

My regulator was for 40 psi. That is plenty of pressure and way more than provided by the pump when not hooked up. I would rather have low pressure than blown fitting due to excessive pressure.

Actually I go one step further. I rarely camp where there are hook ups and I stopped hooking up even if city water is available. I fill my tank and use the RV water pump. That not only keeps the pressure down but it makes sure the water in my tank does not become stale and does not grow mold.

[rbrand]

It all depends on.

1. The amount of water pressure your system can handel.
2. The water pressure of the supply you are connected to.

If you do not know what the water pressure is at the park you are at. Use the pressure regulator.

If it is not to high then you don't need it and if you use it you will get less pressure.

I have been in Parks where the water pressure was over 100lbs.

Most are under 50 lbs.