To regulate or not to regulate, that is the question

[TCNashville]

::I was just wondering how many of you use a water pressure regulator when camping in a full hook-up campground. We camp a lot in a full hook-up campground and while walking around checking out the other campers, I notice a lot of people without regulators. The problem is that my shower pressure is medium at best. When not in full hookups and on the pump, the shower pressure is great. I have the sureflo 55 psi pump. Where can I buy a max. 55 psi regulator to replace the 40-50 psi that I have now? I've asked the campground manager what the water pressure is and he said it varies so I'd rather be safe than sorry and use the regulator. We love the shower in our camper mainly because we have an Atwood 10 gallon water heater and can take a nice long shower without turning the water on and off. Faucet pressure seems to be fine. I guess I wouldn't notice that as much. Thanks[ATTACH][/ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[CJames]

I use s imple regulator 40 to 50 psi.
You can check out amazon.com They have lots of simple or fancy regulators.
From $6.41 to $57.01

[Denise]

We always use a regulator. We attach it at the c/g spiggot, then attach the hose. I think we bought ours in the rv section at a WalMart.

[Rob_Fla]

We always use a regulator, after seeing the camper next to us with a blown water line and water running out under the door while the owners were gone I am glad we have the extra protection of a regulator.

The water pressure at most campgrounds is typically not to high, the problem is pressure surges on the line, that is what will blow RV lines apart.

Due to the fact we fulltime we bought a very nice Watts High Flow adjustable regulator that will go to a max of 65 PSI

[Seann45]

The few times I stay at a campground I always use a pressure regulator. Some CG's can have pressure that exceeds 110 psi... it is always a good habit to use one when hooking up... I have also learned when at FS campgrounds to always fill my freshwater tank... U never know when the water will go out and having your tank filled can be a real good thing..

[chipper]

I do not regulate water pressure; and have never had a problem with the four RV's I've owned. PEX, the plumbing used in RV's can withstand high pressure and high temperatures. The weak link in RV's are the fittings and fixtures. Rarely will RV plumbing lines give a problem. PEX can also withstand five or more freeze occurrences before it fails.

[rwilley]

we always use a regulator and hook it up at the facet. I had a few swelled hoses before I learned that.

[muelldawg]

We use a regulator. I remember getting scared into it so bought a minimum price regulator at Walmark. Probably paid less than $5. My opinion is that Chipper is correct... they are not really needed, but I'm a scaredy cat.

[Doug]

Cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy :-)
Never had any problems, but would be my luck in the middle of a 2,000 mile trip.

Doug

[chipper]

Most new construction(commercial & residential) use PEX water lines. Municipality water pressure can run between 40 -60 PSI., but I have seen some as high as 80 PSI.

55 PSI is the recommended water pressure in most single level residence. If you're worried, install a water pressure regulator, but purchase an adjustable model. Below is the Watts model H560G. It sells for around $65.
They's available at RV accesory stores and also at Granger.

[thomasmnile]

Originally Posted by dougtoms01

Cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy :-)
Never had any problems, but would be my luck in the middle of a 2,000 mile trip.

Doug

I'll drink to that! Bought all our stuff (water hoses, filters, and Watts adjustable regulator) from the RV Water Filter Store online. Not the cheapest in price, but definitely higher quality than the merchandise in CW. Will probably outlast me! Agree this is probably not a huge concern, but the water supply could get weird the same as power distribution.........with equally unpleasant results!

[tlhdoc]

I alway use a pressure regulator attached the the water source. I use on at my semi-permanent camp also. I ran 700 foot of water line down the mountain from a spring. I don't have any idea how much water pressure there is in the water line, but it is higher than what we have at home, so I regulate.

[drfife]

I bought a Watts 3/4" water regulator at a hardware store 10+ years ago and bought fittings to connect it to hoses. I added a whole house water filter along the way.

It's still going strong.

Much better flow and longer lasting than the cheap hose end regulators commonly used by RVers.

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[Grumpy]

[QUOTE=drfife;109312]I bought a Watts 3/4" water regulator at a hardware store 10+ years ago and bought fittings to connect it to hoses. I added a whole house water filter along the way.

It's still going strong.

Much better flow and longer lasting than the cheap hose end regulators commonly used by RVers.
[QUOTE]

Same thing I did. It gives you a full 3/4" opening compared to the 3/8" in most RV regulators. Also the piping in the RV is not always the weakest link, it can also be your supply hose.

[TCNashville]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll give the Watts a try. Attach it to the source, adjust it up to 55 psi and good to go, right? This is a great forum, I wish we had internet sooner, like back in March when we bought our Eagle 320 rlds because I had a lot of questions. Unfortunately, we live a little west of B_E!

[tinlizzie23]

Have ALWAYS used a pressure reg. Only once has the CG pressure exceeded 55 lb, but that one time it was over 95 lb. Those who say they never use a reg, well, they're just living on borrowed time. Sooner or later they will wish they had one in use. JMHO.

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by tlhdoc

I alway use a pressure regulator attached the the water source. I use on at my semi-permanent camp also. I ran 700 foot of water line down the mountain from a spring. I don't have any idea how much water pressure there is in the water line, but it is higher than what we have at home, so I regulate.

Static head pressure is 1psi for every 2.3 feet of head. If your mountain spring was 100 feet vertically from your campsite then you would see 43.5 psi of pressure. I find this formula to be a pretty handy one to commit to memory, along with the 1 acre = 43,560sq ft.

[chipper]

Originally Posted by tinlizzie23

Have ALWAYS used a pressure reg. Only once has the CG pressure exceeded 55 lb, but that one time it was over 95 lb. Those who say they never use a reg, well, they're just living on borrowed time. Sooner or later they will wish they had one in use. JMHO.

We are all living on borrowed time.
If something happens, oh well. It's my fault. I'll pay the price. But, I will not use a regulator.

[Diesel Donnie]

Originally Posted by dougtoms01

cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy :-)
never had any problems, but would be my luck in the middle of a 2,000 mile trip.

Doug

x2- jmho- dd

[Doug]

Originally Posted by tlhdoc

I alway use a pressure regulator attached the the water source. I use on at my semi-permanent camp also. I ran 700 foot of water line down the mountain from a spring. I don't have any idea how much water pressure there is in the water line, but it is higher than what we have at home, so I regulate.

My brother-in-law always tells the story when he was young living in the back hills of Kentucky. They ran a water line down the mountain to have running water in the house. When they opened the valve, it burst several lines in the house and blew the faucet off the kitchen sink lol

Doug