pump pressure vs city water pressure

Wingdreamer · 08-25-2018, 04:38 PM

I'm sure that this topic has been beaten to death but please bear with me...

When we are at our regular campground with "city" water, we have really low water pressure. I always use the non-adjustable water pressure regulator on the hose right at the supply tap. Take the trailer out to a different park where we use our fresh water tank and pump and we get much better pressure. We have an Oxygenetix shower head, which works great on the 12 volt pump, but lousy on city water. Trailer has all around crappy pressure when on "city" water with the regulator.

Question is, has anyone replaced the preset regulator with a variable one while on city pressure and has it helped? Perhaps bumping the pressure up to 50-55 psi?

If so, what do you think of this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-A01-...rra+A01-1117VP

JohnD10 · 08-25-2018, 04:46 PM

If the pressure is that low with a fixed regulator on, chances are the park has low water pressure.

And if the park pressure is already low, you can't turn it up any higher than it already is!

Try it without the regulator at that park and it will probably just about right.

TitanMike · 08-25-2018, 05:01 PM

I've stayed in parks where the pressure is lower than the shutoff pressure for the pump. If you leave your pump turned on while hooked to the park's "City Water" your tank will eventually be pumped dry. Found that out by accident. Couldn't figure out why my tank was almost empty when I'd filled it at home and had been hooked to city water whenever I used water. (No, my tank doesn't siphon itself dry on the road, my vent is at the same level as the fill and both are 2 feet above the tank).

In the case where the water pressure is too low for a good shower, just fill the water tank and then turn on the pump when showering. Then add water to the tank as necessary.

formerFR · 08-25-2018, 05:16 PM

I've never used one and never had any issues... I think all RVs today are manufactured with plumbing that can easily handle up to 100 to 110 psi with no issues... some of the 'old school' concerns are probably well in the past... unless you're traveling in a '70s or earlier model! : )

BandJCarm · 08-25-2018, 05:18 PM

I will get shot but I stopped putting a water regulator in the water line a year ago. Better pressure, maybe 40 campgrounds so far, and no issues other than better water pressure.

Duckogram · 08-25-2018, 05:25 PM

The standard OEM pump is about 55psi at shower flow rate. The city water pressure is unknown and varies with demand (are the sprinklers running?) So I have a rainbird (irrigation) gauge. Screw it on the tap and read the number. Now I know. If the city water pressure is over 70 psi I put a regulator on just in case my reading was at a heavy usage period. It just is what it is. YMMV

wahoonc · 08-25-2018, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerFR

I've never used one and never had any issues... I think all RVs today are manufactured with plumbing that can easily handle up to 100 to 110 psi with no issues... some of the 'old school' concerns are probably well in the past... unless you're traveling in a '70s or earlier model! : )

They may be built with plumbing components that can handle 100 psi, but based on my observation I doubt the assembly of those components could handle it. Not to mention the extremely low end fixtures made out of plastic they love to use.

I will turn the faucet on at the campground before I hook up, if it sprays out hard, I use an adjustable pressure regulator. Otherwise I will forgo the pressure regulator. One campground we stay at on occasion the flow is so low it can barely overcome the back pressure caused by the inline filter. At that one we fill the tank and use the water pump.

Aaron

Wingdreamer · 08-25-2018, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

If the pressure is that low with a fixed regulator on, chances are the park has low water pressure.

And if the park pressure is already low, you can't turn it up any higher than it already is!

Try it without the regulator at that park and it will probably just about right.

I have a second hose (on the same water line) that is used for washing the trailer and it has loads of pressure and volume, so I dont believe that its park water pressure. I will temporarily remove the inline regulator to see how much of an improvement I get.

valleyduo · 08-25-2018, 07:40 PM

We switched to an adjustable regulator with pressure gauge for this reason. We had a non adjustable "55psi" regulator. It seemed to work by knocking pressure down 10-20 psi no matter what the incoming pressure was. A pain at low pressure sites. Yielded the exact same problem you're having. The adjustable we can see what we have on arrival and adjust accordingly.

DustyRoads · 08-26-2018, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingdreamer

I'm sure that this topic has been beaten to death but please bear with me...

When we are at our regular campground with "city" water, we have really low water pressure. I always use the non-adjustable water pressure regulator on the hose right at the supply tap. Take the trailer out to a different park where we use our fresh water tank and pump and we get much better pressure. We have an Oxygenetix shower head, which works great on the 12 volt pump, but lousy on city water. Trailer has all around crappy pressure when on "city" water with the regulator.

Question is, has anyone replaced the preset regulator with a variable one while on city pressure and has it helped? Perhaps bumping the pressure up to 50-55 psi?

If so, what do you think of this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-A01-...rra+A01-1117VP

I just went with an adjustable. I could see a big difference. I boosted pressure to 50 and it works pretty good now. Much better than fixed at same CG.

mwdilday · 08-26-2018, 01:43 PM

My adjustable was hard to maintain a setting. There are 40 psi and 55 psi presets. I got a 55 psi preset and it works great everywhere.

MacDR · 08-26-2018, 02:02 PM

X2 on a adjustable pressure regulators. I started using one this year.. I set it to 65lbs and most of the time the water pressure is fine.. If I'm at a low pressure site I fill my freshwater and turn on the pump.. DW is happy and I'm happy.

Scrapper · 08-26-2018, 02:37 PM

I believe most onboard water pumps are set to 60psi. I use a adjustable pressure regulator set to 40psi on my city water. The reason why is a design flaw in the rim of the toilet. With the regulator set to 43psi the water from 3 of the rim holes shoots over the rim and onto the floor. The water shoots out into the hall when I use the water pump for winterizing.

TitanMike · 08-26-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapper

I believe most onboard water pumps are set to 60psi. I use a adjustable pressure regulator set to 40psi on my city water. The reason why is a design flaw in the rim of the toilet. With the regulator set to 43psi the water from 3 of the rim holes shoots over the rim and onto the floor. The water shoots out into the hall when I use the water pump for winterizing.

You sure you have a toilet and not a bidet

Grapehound · 08-26-2018, 04:08 PM

Great ideas here! I have been using a pre-set water pressure regulator, but I just sent for an adjustable water pressure regulator and gauge so I can set the pressure as I wish. How cool is that?

We camped at a friend's winery before we were consistently using a water pressure regulator and hooked up to his water system. After a few hours we had wet carpets in the RV and leaks everywhere. Found out they keep their water pressure about 120 PSI for irrigation. Surprised it didn't burst my pipes and hoses.

Won't do that again.

Larry

XenoRev · 08-26-2018, 04:14 PM

It's been said before, but the fixed regulators are really flow restrictors. They have a smaller ID limiting the amount of water.
I used mine once, at a CG where I had not used a regulator in the past. Barely had enough flow to fill the coffee pot.
Pitched it and bought a full flow adjustable regulator. All the water flow at a safe 45psi. No complaints.
Full flow is the key.

SailorSam20500 · 08-26-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerFR

I've never used one and never had any issues... I think all RVs today are manufactured with plumbing that can easily handle up to 100 to 110 psi with no issues... some of the 'old school' concerns are probably well in the past... unless you're traveling in a '70s or earlier model! : )

At a seminar that was part of the Goshen rally, one of the FR guys said that FR is considering making pressure regulators standard equipment. I can't say if they are doing it since many (most?) folks buy and use one or if they think using one is a good practice.

Scrapper · 08-26-2018, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

You sure you have a toilet and not a bidet

A poorly designed one if it is as it doesn't hit the p**p-hole.

Scrapper · 08-26-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XenoRev

It's been said before, but the fixed regulators are really flow restrictors. They have a smaller ID limiting the amount of water.
I used mine once, at a CG where I had not used a regulator in the past. Barely had enough flow to fill the coffee pot.
Pitched it and bought a full flow adjustable regulator. All the water flow at a safe 45psi. No complaints.
Full flow is the key.

With flow restrictors when you turn off the faucet the pressure rises to whatever pressure the cg water supply is. They only restrict the flow while a faucet is open.

Mountainmanbob · 08-26-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerFR

I think all RVs today are manufactured with plumbing that can easily handle up to 100 to 110 psi with no issues...

Would never run pressures like that in our RV or at home.

50psi in an RV and 75psi at home should more than do it.

The adjustable regulator with the gauge looks like a good idea.

Retired City Parks Equipment Water Tech
M-Bob

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