First, how important is it to place one of those water pressure regulators on the input line? The one I use restricts pressure way too much, especially for the shower, or for filling up the fresh water tank. Is that normal? How common is it to have system damage from excessive pressure if you don't insert one?
Second, our water pump runs continuously when I'm connected to city water at an RV park. When I'm not connected, it shuts off normally. Is that normal, or a sign of a particular problem?
There could be other reasons that you're not getting much water pressure. If you have a water filter outside the RV, it may be time to change it. Also, when was the last time you checked your screen gasket where the freshwater line screws into the RV?
Just recently, I had low water pressure inside the RV. Checked my screen gasket and found a bunch of white gravel stuff, maybe calcium? Shook it all out of the elbow connector and water pressure was great again.
Joe and Dakota, the wacko cat
2006 Dodge 3500 QC CTD SRW Jacobs Exhaust brake
2006 Heartland Bighorn 3600RL, MorRyde suspension, TrailAir pinbox http://happykayakers.com/blogger/
It normal for it to run when on city water or at lease mine does. I also turn off when on city water. Usually where we stay, they tell you to use a water regulator if need. If your shower head is a flex type you will know if too much pressure, It will jump off the hook and that is when I install the regulatr. I have a outside wash system in the wet area and that is where I check the pressure. It has a fex shower head on it. I also made a in-line tee with a pressure gauge and i can see what the pressure is on the hose.
I know what you mean, I have a regulator and sledom use it for the same reason, low pressure.
My rig has a 'MAX 60 PSI" sticker on the city water connection. Best way is to get a regulator with a pressure guage on it so you can tell what is actually going to the coach.
As far as the pump running, it will do that if the pressure is low. Suggest taking the regulator out and see what happens.
Also, there is a check valve at the city connection. The check valve will be open when connected to city supply. If the inlet pressure is lower than the pump setting, the pump will run to try and make up for the low pressure. Clear as mud? Hope this helps
Dennis & Carol
2003 Dutchstar 40' 3 Slides, 8.3L ISC W/banks Kit 465HP,
Spartan Chassis
2010 Taurus Toad
You don't say what you have for a rig. Some already have a regulator at the city water connection. I did and it failed a couple of weeks ago. Since I always use a regulator at the spigot, I just removed the on-board regulator and put a new connector in it's place. Now I have terrific water flow in the rig, with decent pressure. It made a world of difference.
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
Before hooking up the regulator, I have been checking to see how strong the flow is from the spigot, and I've been leaving it off if it doesn't seem excessive. But I've started to feel a little paranoid. Do any of you know of anyone who has indeed had damage from high water pressure?
What would be great would be a regulator that allows full pressure up to a certain point - 60 psi sounds about right - and then restricts it above that point. Is that sort of gadget available? Mine - one of those little metal things about 3 or 4 inches long - seems to reduce even low water pressure and has done that since buyiing it.
Craig95005 wrote: Do any of you know of anyone who has indeed had damage from high water pressure?
I can't remember ever reading that on here.
The cheap regulators ( which we all seem to buy) are indeed too restrictive. What I do is to turn the park water on just enough to work. I don't think a cheap flow restrictor does anything more complicated then (I mean than) that.
I think some kind of regulator is important to have. When at campgrounds, the water pressure can be anything. Consider though, you're feeding your camper through a garden hose (white, green, or any other color, it's still a garden hose). The hose can maintain only so much pressure also. Although not published (or if so, very difficult to find out), there is a limit to how much the hose can take. More than likely, the hose will burst before the pipes in your camper. This happened to us once. The garden style hose was hot in the sun. The pressure built. It got soft and because it had a little age on it, it gave up the ghost! Better the garden hose than the pipes in your camper.
From that point onward, I started connecting the regulator at the spigot, not at the trailer. Not had a problem every again. No more broken hoses.
In town, or at your house, if you know the pressure, you may never need a regulator. At home, we're on our own well. The max psi is lower than the max psi for the camper, so I never worry. But at campgrounds ... I always use the regulator at the spigot now.
Also. As stated above. When on city water ... turn the pump off.
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
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