Water pressure max??

[Turboman]

How much is too much water pressure for the plumbing in an RV. I rigged an in-line guage for the waterhose and most time it never gets over 50psi. I hate to put the regulator on because it cuts the volume down to where the shower pressure is lousy. What do ya'll think?

 

[rblomquist]

A lot of the store bought ones are in the 40-45lb range anyway. Also, maybe you can look to find some exposed plumbing within the RV and read the rating on the pipe itself.

 

[bombero]

When we starting RVing, about 8 yrs ago, a old timer told me to buy a presure restrictor valve that I have on my water line . If it dose any good I dont know, but we have never blowen any lines!

 

[Bill Stockard]

If the pressure is too high, the water heater T&P valve will open partially to release the pressure. When the water heats, it expands and increases the presssure which opens the valve at roughly 125 PSI. I use a regulator in some RV parks since I don't trust the plastic pipes and fittings to stand that kind of pressure. I've been in RV parks in Colorado, Utah, and Nevada where the city water pressure was over 100 PSI! The parks had warning signs posted in the office and warned me about it when I registered.



I you use a regulator designed for residential use, you won't have the water flow restrictions typical of RV type water pressure regulators. A residential type water pressure regulator can be purchased at Home Depot or similar stores. You will need some bushings to adapt it to work with the your hose fittings.



Bill

 

[Ron Bissett]

Get a in line regulator (Marchal) at Wally world, Brass or plastic, they are set to pop off at 40 to 45 psi . Place it at the faucet ,then it will protect the hose too. You do not have to use one just trust your luck and hope the pipes hold up . If you are hooked up to a camp ground and the normal psi is over furry psi and every one stops using the water in the park at the same time like at night the PSI may increase to over burst psi of your lines , what psi you will not know and you will have a damper put on your trip. Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville kY

 

[SHobbs]

Anything more than 50lbs can cause problems. I learned it the hard way, bought my first 5er and did not know about too much pressure, can you say leaks all around. There are numerous things you can use to regulate the pressure, too many to list. If there is no filtration, most regulators will get clogged up and restrict flow. I have a guage that I put on the supply faucet to check the pressure first, some camp grounds keep the water pressure at safe levels.

 

[J&LRam]

years back we plumbed RVs with copper tube with flare nuts which would take the higher city water pressure . Like others have said todays RVs use thin wall plastic tubing that require no more than 50 PSI so it would be wise to use a regulator before your water supply hose... ..... JIM

 

[ntillm01]

If you're supply is only at 50 psi, you're working at a safe pressure anyway. You've got the gauge already, so you know enough to check it. My city water at home is 80 psi and turns the vinyl hose into an over-stuffed sausage after a while so I use the regulator as the first thing in the hose. I've heard the pressure regulators that are built into the camper water supply inlet flow better than the hose-end ones, but that still leaves the vinyl hose at full pressure.

 

[jshumate]

I have a similar problem, but I can't figure out what's causing it. On my last trip, there was plenty of flow at the spigot, even with the inline regulator. When I connected it to the RV, I have almost no flow inside. I connected the hose without the regulator to the RV and had great flow inside.

Any idea what the problem is? I'm ready to buy an adjustable regulator in hopes that the flow will be improved.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill Stockard]

You may have a problem with the back flow check valve. It's usually located right at the entrance fitting on the RVs city water hookup. They are required on RVs to prevent the RV water sysem from flowing back into the city/campground water system.



Bill

 

[JMetzger]

I use an industrial Marshall pressure regulator that I bought at Lowe's & have it set on 50 PSI. Have had it on since trailer was new in 1996 & have never had a problem. The regulator attaches right on the faucet . Trust me I have seen a lot of places with water pressure over 100 PSI more so in higher elevations as odd as it may sound. A regulator is a must just like a fuel pressure gauge is a must on a VP 44.

 

[jshumate]

Thanks for the input. I doubt if it is the check valve since it works fine without the regulator and its a new rig. The Marshall regulator sounds promising, but I don't see it on Lowe's website.

 

[JMetzger]

I don,t think it is on their web site. I think you will have to go to their plumbing dept.

Jack

 

[JMetzger]

I was wrong, it was a Watts regulator & I will get you a model # tomorrow as I have to go out of town now

Jack

 

[JMetzger]

I use a Watts Regulator Mod#N45B U size 3/4 Range 25 - 75. I have mine set at 50 PSI. I hope this helps. I bought mine at Lowe's in 1999. I use the larger regulator so when taking a shower & wife turns on water there is no pressure difference.

Jack

 

[jshumate]

I called Lowe's and they have it for $49. 95. Have you ever wished it had a gauge attached to it? I found a place that offers it with/without one and I have read that you should always use a gauge, but I'm not sure if it would be necessary.

 

[JMetzger]

Where it comes out the outlet side I installed a Y & the gauge goes on one side of the Y. That way I always know what pressure I have. I got all the fittings & adapators at Lowe's when I bought the regulator.

Jack

 

[hilda]

I have a similar problem, but I can't figure out what's causing it. On my last trip, there was plenty of flow at the spigot, even with the inline regulator. When I connected it to the RV, I have almost no flow inside. I connected the hose without the regulator to the RV and had great flow inside.



Any idea what the problem is? I'm ready to buy an adjustable regulator in hopes that the flow will be improved.



Thanks in advance.

Some trailer have a built in regulator. If you double regulator you will have little to no pressure. Do you have good pressure if you use your water pump with your fresh water tank? Water pumps are set at to shut off at 45-50lbs. That will give you a good baseline of were your pressure should be.



Jim

 

[CumminsPower98]

I don't know what most RVs come with for plumbing but mine uses PEX, the same stuff you might find in a house. It uses Flair-It fittings and I have never seen a leak. I did park outside a friends house not long ago for nearly a month and they have crazy pressure there so I decided not to chance it so I just used the tank. I do plan to get a regulator at some point. The one would like to get is the Watts 263A with a 0-125 gauge.

 

[jshumate]

I get good water pressure/flow running the pump. So how do you determine if the RV has a built in regulator? Mine is a Montana Big Sky '06.