Water Pressure Discussion October 19, 2016, 06:41:39 pm On our last trip, the unregulated water pressure seemed VERY high as I was preparing to connect to city water. Of course, I installed a water regulator, which tamed the very high water pressure to something like 40 psi (guess). This recent experience made me think about the value of a water regulator with a gauge and adjuster. I did a search of the archives and came up with this seven (7) year old discussion on this very topic.City water pressureWe'd sure like to have a bit better water pressure when connected to city water and more importantly, I'd like to keep the water pressure in the 55 psi range if possible given the city water pressure. I've looked at several water pressure regulators like the one at:Amazon.com: Valterra A01-1117VP Brass Lead-Free Adjustable Water Regulator:...So I'd surely appreciation any guidance for a preferred water pressure regulator and any other comments, guidance, suggestions ... less those on COFFEE. As always ... thanks so much for so much. As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #1 – October 19, 2016, 07:22:30 pm I have had two of this particular model. In is both cases in relatively short order the gauges failed.I gave up and bought a basic gauge which significantly reduces water pressure. However, when we shower I just turn the pump on which works nicely. That said, I rarely connect and haven't done so in a few years.Jim
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #2 – October 19, 2016, 07:26:58 pm Quote from: Traxless - October 19, 2016, 06:41:39 pmOn our last trip, the unregulated water pressure seemed VERY high as I was preparing to connect to city water. Of course, I installed a water regulator, which tamed the very high water pressure to something like 40 psi (guess). This recent experience made me think about the value of a water regulator with a gauge and adjuster. I did a search of the archives and came up with this seven (7) year old discussion on this very topic.City water pressureWe'd sure like to have a bit better water pressure when connected to city water and more importantly, I'd like to keep the water pressure in the 55 psi range if possible given the city water pressure. I've looked at several water pressure regulators like the one at:Amazon.com: Valterra A01-1117VP Brass Lead-Free Adjustable Water Regulator:...So I'd surely appreciation any guidance for a preferred water pressure regulator and any other comments, guidance, suggestions ... less those on COFFEE. :)As always ... thanks so much for so much.Ed, you will save water by just using the internal pump as most of us do. Is there a reason you feel you need greater pressure?Chris As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #3 – October 19, 2016, 08:09:29 pm Quote from: Chris Horst - October 19, 2016, 07:26:58 pmEd, you will save water by just using the internal pump as most of us do. Is there a reason you feel you need greater pressure?ChrisI've always enjoyed water pressure when in the shower! Water pressure + hot water = wonderland!
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #4 – October 19, 2016, 08:10:54 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - October 19, 2016, 07:22:30 pmI have had two of this particular model. In is both cases in relatively short order the gauges failed.I gave up and bought a basic gauge which significantly reduces water pressure. However, when we shower I just turn the pump on which works nicely. That said, I rarely connect and haven't done so in a few years.JimJim ... your experience saved me some dinero! And saving dinero is almost as good as a long, hot shower! LOL
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #5 – October 19, 2016, 08:23:35 pm Jim -- on your units, the gauges (on the regulators) failed, or the regulators themselves failed? A gauge could be replaced for a few bucks. And does your basic gauge actually reduce pressure in addition to measuring it?Chip
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #6 – October 20, 2016, 12:14:09 am Quote from: Chip Chester - October 19, 2016, 08:23:35 pmJim -- on your units, the gauges (on the regulators) failed, or the regulators themselves failed? A gauge could be replaced for a few bucks. And does your basic gauge actually reduce pressure in addition to measuring it?ChipI thought about replacing the gauge but gave up in frustration. The basic pressure reducer clearly reduces the pressure. You can tell by how poor the water flow is. I believe they are preset at around 45psi but don't hold me to that. When used the shower seems almost useless without also turning on the water pump. Since we never let water just sit in the tank we always used both the reducer and pump. If I recall the only time you would hear the pump kick in was when either flushing the toilet or showering.As I said, however, we seldom used it and simply run off the pump even when parked for extended periods.Jim
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #7 – October 20, 2016, 01:00:23 am I just a little bit perplexed on one part of this discussion. Running the water pump while connected to city water does not cause any water system problems? So if the city water pressure is lower than the water pump's pressure, then the water pump prevails? Or if the reverse is true, then the city water prevails and the water pump is not activated? Now that's interesting. Do I understand this correctly?
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #8 – October 20, 2016, 03:14:55 am Quote from: Traxless - October 20, 2016, 01:00:23 amI just a little bit perplexed on one part of this discussion. Running the water pump while connected to city water does not cause any water system problems? Many of us never use the city water connection, instead using the onboard pump and water tank. We refill as necessary.This way, the onboard water system is never exposed to campground pressure fluctuations nor is the trouble-prone city water connection disturbed.Our city water connection has been sealed for over a decade.Larry
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #9 – October 20, 2016, 08:18:44 am One other potential advantage to running off the tank vs city water.A best practice, is to turn off the pump or shut off the city water when leaving for any period of time. But....So. If there is a leak while you are away and you are running off the tank, the flood is limited to the amount of water in the tank. If on city water, it's only limited to the amount of water in the community reservoirs. 😱Ed 1 Likes
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #10 – October 20, 2016, 11:22:59 am Quote from: Traxless - October 20, 2016, 01:00:23 amI just a little bit perplexed on one part of this discussion. Running the water pump while connected to city water does not cause any water system problems? So if the city water pressure is lower than the water pump's pressure, then the water pump prevails? Or if the reverse is true, then the city water prevails and the water pump is not activated? Now that's interesting. Do I understand this correctly?According to my conversation with Shurflo customer service you are correct and that is the way it has worked in practice. Again, that said, we never connected very often and stopped doing it primarily because I like keeping a constant supply of fresh water in the tank.Jim
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #11 – October 20, 2016, 02:06:22 pm I use something like this from: RVwaterstore.com. You can set the pressure at 55 psi if you wish. I set it at 40. Its a pretty rugged and reliable unit. Its also available with a non rusting gauge.Watts New Lead Free Adjustable 263A-LF Regulator, but with 2 1/2" diameter stainless steel oil filled 0-160 gauge, 4-4.5 gpm. Stainless gauge will resist rust if used outside in the weather. Think its now about $110.
Re: Water Pressure Discussion Reply #12 – October 20, 2016, 02:13:41 pm Quote from: Traxless - October 20, 2016, 01:00:23 amI just a little bit perplexed on one part of this discussion. Running the water pump while connected to city water does not cause any water system problems? So if the city water pressure is lower than the water pump's pressure, then the water pump prevails? Or if the reverse is true, then the city water prevails and the water pump is not activated? Now that's interesting. Do I understand this correctly?Ed,Based on the specs for a SHURflo 4048 pump as an example, the pressure control on the pump turns the pump OFF at 55 psi, and back ON again at 25 psi. Assuming one is connected to city water with a 45 psi regulator inline, the only time the pump would likely come on would be during brief periods of high usage where the city water may not make up fast enough to keep the pressure above the pump cut-in point of 25 psi (shower or maybe a toilet flush\rinse as Jim observed). Running the kitchen or lavatory sink faucet for a short period wouldn't likely drop the system pressure below the cut-in pressure for the pump, so it may only rarely come on. If you can find a good quality regulator and set it for 55 psi, it's possible the system pressure would never drop down to 25 psi, and the pump would not come on at all when connected to city water. A good quality regulator should need to be set once and done. I'd set the pressure initially, remove the gauge and store it for future use. Plug the gauge port and forget about it. Enjoy your showers!JMHO