Why you should always use a regulator on your City Water connection

TitanMike · 10-24-2018, 01:00 PM

Would never have guessed this park would have had this much pressure. Rose to over 110 when I first turned on then dropped just before I took picture:

No warning signs in campground office or anywhere in the park.

Iwannacamp · 10-24-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Would never have guessed this park would have had this much pressure. Rose to over 110 when I first turned on then dropped just before I took picture:

No warning signs in campground office or anywhere in the park.

Hello... you must have tapped into the "pressure washer port"

Reverse_snowbird · 10-24-2018, 01:24 PM

Good picture. That would not have been good for your water lines.

NJKris · 10-24-2018, 01:47 PM

And that my friends, is why they say to always use a pressure regulator. Good to know I did not waste my money on mine.

NJKris · 10-24-2018, 01:54 PM

Now, THAT'S a shower!

CurtPutnam · 10-24-2018, 01:56 PM

Street pressure (as opposed to house pressure) here is usually well over 100 psi. Where I used to live, in Alta Loma, street pressure was around 100 - 150. I do not know how to translate water tank elevation to psi, but that's the cause.

OKI Marine · 10-24-2018, 02:24 PM

So, are the cheap walmart regulators sufficient or should I invest in an adjustable metered one

NJKris · 10-24-2018, 02:35 PM

I ended up getting the one with a gauge and is adjustable, in case I wanted to play with the pressure. Also, read this under Amazon reviews for the cheap Camco one: Have run a small campground for 50+ years. This type of regulator is highly susceptible to tiny sand or debris in the water lines. A fine screen filter helps but only minimally. Have flushed these in every which way trying to clean - not much luck. If any consolation, junk brass can bring up to $3.00 lb!!

I paid 32 bucks for one with an oil filled gauge on Amazon, I see it is now 28 bucks https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TitanMike · 10-24-2018, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OKI Marine

So, are the cheap walmart regulators sufficient or should I invest in an adjustable metered one

I have two different regulators. One is a simple brass one with no gauge and the other is adjustable with a gauge. Both work the same for me. Even expensive regulators can malfunction when debris gets into them. For the most part I don't see trash coming from the water line but rather from the hose end should it get dropped on the ground. I make it a habit to open the faucet to clear it of any spiders or other thirsty bugs, then rinse end of regulator before hooking it up. I then run water through the hose to flush it before hooking up to the TT. So far this method has worked well (for over 40 years).

NJKris · 10-24-2018, 02:56 PM

I'm jealous that you've been RVing for 40 years. For me to reach that stage, I'll be 93. But more likely taking a dirt nap.

OKI Marine · 10-24-2018, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I have two different regulators. One is a simple brass one with no gauge and the other is adjustable with a gauge. Both work the same for me. Even expensive regulators can malfunction when debris gets into them. For the most part I don't see trash coming from the water line but rather from the hose end should it get dropped on the ground. I make it a habit to open the faucet to clear it of any spiders or other thirsty bugs, then rinse end of regulator before hooking it up. I then run water through the hose to flush it before hooking up to the TT. So far this method has worked well (for over 40 years).

So, what is the pressure that the water lines in the camper will hold?

TitanMike · 10-24-2018, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OKI Marine

So, what is the pressure that the water lines in the camper will hold?

Stay under 50 psi and you're safe. Most RV's may "hold" more but if they fail not only will it be a big failure, the mess will be a lot bigger as more water flows at the higher pressures.

Just like your house.

OKI Marine · 10-24-2018, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Stay under 50 psi and you're safe. Most RV's may "hold" more but if they fail not only will it be a big failure, the mess will be a lot bigger as more water flows at the higher pressures.

Just like your house.

Do you know what the simple brass ones with no meter hold the pressure to ?

russhd1997 · 10-24-2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OKI Marine

Do you know what the simple brass ones with no meter hold the pressure to ?

Mine's packed away for the winter but it is either 45psi or 50psi, I don't remember which.

**Flybob** · 10-24-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OKI Marine

So, are the cheap walmart regulators sufficient or should I invest in an adjustable metered one

Many of the inexpensive regulators simple reduce the flow as a way of controlling the pressure. The problem with this is when there is no water flowing, the pressure will build back up to pedestal pressure.

The PEX plumbing can handle significant pressure, the weak part of the system is the connections and the hose clamped flex tubing.

fmjnathan · 10-24-2018, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Street pressure (as opposed to house pressure) here is usually well over 100 psi. Where I used to live, in Alta Loma, street pressure was around 100 - 150. I do not know how to translate water tank elevation to psi, but that's the cause.

In the fire dept. we use half a psi per foot....ex: 10 feet of elevation drops 5 psi.

SYE · 10-25-2018, 02:06 AM

In the 40+ years I have been camping, I have never used one or even felt the need for one, yes the initial pressure when you turn it on is high, but by the time it gets through your hose to the trailer hookup the pressure is low enough that I do not work about it. My camper is factory tested to 80psi and I have not seen a park with that kind of continous pressure

OKI Marine · 10-25-2018, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYE

In the 40+ years I have been camping, I have never used one or even felt the need for one, yes the initial pressure when you turn it on is high, but by the time it gets through your hose to the trailer hookup the pressure is low enough that I do not work about it. My camper is factory tested to 80psi and I have not seen a park with that kind of continous pressure

Well, I'm not taking any chances especially with the way these things are made. I stayed at a camoground in PA one year and the the power at the pole was wrong. I lost the converter in the camper. I also always turn water off whenever we walk away from the camper for any extended time, water goes off when we sleep at night. Just like the awning comes in if we walk away from the camper too.

rjshiflet · 10-25-2018, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russhd1997

Mine's packed away for the winter but it is either 45psi or 50psi, I don't remember which.

I've seen one that is pre-set for 45-50 PSI and another that is preset for 50-55 PSI. After years of successfully using that type, I did recently switch to the adjustable type and keep it at 58 PSI (pre-filter - knowing I'll lose a bit of pressure through the filter and 50' of hose).

I was told by Forest River that the newer type of water line they use is tested to a pressure of 100-125 PSI, BUT...(and this is a BIG BUT) - they don't have ratings on the connectors, so they still recommend not going over 60-65 PSI.

That seems consistent with this article: https://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/ABP.htm

andy10 · 10-25-2018, 06:18 AM

Have use a basic Camco for 5 years with no problem. New TT and had lousy pressure, barely could shower. I started at the beginning and put on a new basic camco. Problem solved. As a previous post suggested they can get plugged up.

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