I put a new pressure reducer on my water supply line about five months ago. I am aware that I am in an area of 'hard' water and I suspect that my reducer is clogging up. When I turn on a faucet I have pressure for about five seconds before it starts dropping of significantly. The onboard pump is turned off.
If as I suspect the pressure reducer is the culprit in this, can these be back flushed or cleaned in any way to allow a longer life? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
If it is the reducer ... the best thing is to replace it. The cost is low enough that I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time with it. One thing you could check is the screen located at the reducer where your hose would connect. It could be plugging. There should also be one at the camper connection.
You try soaking it in vinegar or CLR but I would probably just replace it as recommended above.
I stopped using the el cheapo reducers and got a whole house pressure regulator that allows a lot more water flow. Wouldn't go back to the other type for anything.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
If it's only a few months old, you ought to return it - you'ld need some awfully hard water to clog it in that short a time. I respectfully disagree with Clay - Those whole house units (and I'm assuming this is the Watts setup frequently mentioned on this forum) cost a bunch if bucks - at least the cost of 5 or more 'el cheapos'. I buy the brass el cheapo and need to replace it about every two years. At $8/unit, thats $4/year for a regulator. I bet the Watts cost a whole lot more any way you look at it. On occasion, the dumb thing clogs while we're out camping, and I just remove it. I've tried vinegar and dis-assembly and nothing worked. Maybe a long soak in warm CLR - try it.
Joe
There are basically 3 kinds of reducers (Well 4) used on RV's. also filters make a difference.. here is the list
Flow restrictors.. These do not really reduce pressure and if you have one, Take it to Recycle-city and sell it, it's good valuable brass
Standard RV pressure regulators... These ARE pressure regulators, you can put 100 PSI or more in and only get 45-50 out, Some have gages and adjustments (Some don't) these often have inlets or outlets of about 1/4 inch, this is too small and will not pass enough water for a shower, you may even notice the loss on kitchen or bathroom faucets, Exactly as you do I give 'em a 50%
HIGH-VOLUME versions of the last.. This usually has a colored plastic "Grip" on the female end. Much better, not 100% but at least in the 90's
"Watts" Type. Watts is a brand name and NOT the only one who make "Whole House" type regulators... This is a true regulator with a 1/2" or larger inlet and outlet You will need to add adapters for garden hose (may be included in the box, may already be Installed depending on where you buy) These WORK
Where as the first 3 items I listed are cylinders that go "in-line" and are about the same size as the hose fitting (OD) they hook to
The Watts is much larger, has a bell shaped houseing usually with a bolt sticking up (The pressure adjustment) and can be disassembled and re-built as needed.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
If it is one of the better Watts reducers, buy a rebuild kit. No sense in throwing away the well machined and constructed body. Anyone can scrub the body and install the kit. Others are welcome to disagree.
nbounder wrote: If it's only a few months old, you ought to return it - you'ld need some awfully hard water to clog it in that short a time. I respectfully disagree with Clay - Those whole house units (and I'm assuming this is the Watts setup frequently mentioned on this forum) cost a bunch if bucks - at least the cost of 5 or more 'el cheapos'. I buy the brass el cheapo and need to replace it about every two years. At $8/unit, thats $4/year for a regulator. I bet the Watts cost a whole lot more any way you look at it. On occasion, the dumb thing clogs while we're out camping, and I just remove it. I've tried vinegar and dis-assembly and nothing worked. Maybe a long soak in warm CLR - try it.
Joe
The whole house regulators do cost a lot more for sure.
Mine is a Wilkins and is similar to the Watts but costs about ten dollars more where I bought it - Lowes as I recall. About $55 I think.
As a full timer the additional water flow I get due to the much lower restriction makes the cost worthwhile for me. In addition they don't clog easily and rebuild kits are also available.
One thing for sure - after seeing pressures as high as 140 psi at one campground I feel that some sort of regulator is a good investment.
I see a lot of 35 psi and 45 psi at campgrounds but one high pressure place might mess things up.
* This post was
edited 07/15/08 05:32pm by Clay L *
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