Adjustable water pressure regulator

Eagle · 01-25-2016, 12:05 PM

I've never used an adjustable water pressure regulator nor found the need to really. I did try one of those camco pressure reducers but found it far to restrictive so tossed it.

Has anyone found water pressure to high to cause a line to burst in their RV camper unit at a campground?

APD · 01-25-2016, 04:27 PM

Last June at a older campground near Douglasville GA I tested their pressure during the day at 123 to 130psi. I carry a test gauge that screws onto the standard hose bibb and I always check before hooking up. I didn't connect, we used the campground facilities overnite.
The campground host said that she knew it was a little high but had never checked it herself.

**LJAZ** · 01-26-2016, 06:58 AM

I have the Camco hi flow water pressure regulator, it was pretty cheap, especially compared to the adjustable type. I don't know if I've had water pressure high enough to cause damage as I don't have any way to measure it and hopefully if I did the regulator took care of it. Some swear by the Watts type regulators, but $100+ seems pretty pricey.

Michigantraveler · 01-26-2016, 08:57 AM

Camco regulator is about $12 on Amazon Prime. Adjustable ones are under $50.

APD · 01-26-2016, 12:35 PM

BTW: While I was camped with the high pressure I hooked our Camco type regulator and my gauge on my hose. I was trying to see if I could hook up anyway.
All it would do was shut off. The gauge would jump up to 70 or 80 psi and the regulator would shut down. I could relieve the pressure on the hose bibb side and it would open again. But as soon as the high pressure hit it, it would shut again. I didn't fool with it long but I never got a good reading on the setting.
It acted like a high pressure shut off instead of a regulator.
At least that's how mine reacted.

Eagle · 01-26-2016, 02:50 PM

I used one of those camco $10-$12 regulators and there was hardly and pressure/volume so tossed it. Don't know if worth it to buy an adjustable style.

Michigantraveler · 01-26-2016, 06:01 PM

So the Camco regulator sounds like it is useless. Back to the drawing board.

Eagle · 01-26-2016, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

So the Camco regulator sounds like it is useless. Back to the drawing board.

I might be laying in a box in the camper under bed storage. If anyone wants it, I'll send it free....after I get the camper out of winter storage in the spring.

APD · 01-26-2016, 06:34 PM

I'll be investing in a adjustable regulator before spring camping. They're not that much compared to the mess a blown line might cause. One would hope the T&P valve would open on the water heater before a line would give away.
As a side note, I have a full flow 1/4 turn ball valve with hose connectors that I always install in-line at the camper connection. If we are going off for the day while camped I will turn off that water valve and the water heater while we're away. I had read that as a safety tip somewhere on a forum.

**LJAZ** · 01-27-2016, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

So the Camco regulator sounds like it is useless. Back to the drawing board.

There are 2 styles of these, a 'regular' and a 'high flow'. The regular one came with the trailer when I bought it, it worked OK for a few years, but low flow and then it eventually failed. I did a little research on the adjustable ones and found most people had problems with the Camco (or Valterra can't remember which brand) and I didn't want to spend $70 + on something that wouldn't last. So I spent $12 on the Camco hi flow. There was a noticeable difference in flow over the old one and plenty for our needs.

Seems like the gold standard would be a Watts adjustable regulator. These run around $80 or so and then you need to buy the fittings to mate it up to the hose ends. Not sure how heavy it is so it might need some sort of frame or stand to support it. I will probably go this route at some point, but for now the $12 solution is working for me.

Michigantraveler · 01-27-2016, 10:31 AM

Here is a review on Amazon for the inexpensive Camco regulator. Interesting points made I think. "First off, I use one of these on my RV. It works great, and rare to find actual good-quality metal ANYTHING now days. It gets pressure below 50-psidepends on several variables as to how much lowertheir ad info is right though, always between 40-50 psi.

As for every one of the reviews I've read here on the 'negatives'I'd like to point out that this is NOT an anti-hammer reservoir, nor is it a filter. Nasty water at any RV park will most assuredly clog it up to where it won't workpre-filter between your camp connector and your regulator. That will fix the issue (or, replace your filter element then).

As for 'hammering' due to pressurethis is also a simple fix. Get an anti-hammer reservoir. You can 'rig up' your own, buy a 'house-type' anti-hammer at most any hardware store, or you can buy one like the SHURFLO Pre-Pressurized Tank (available on Amazon). It helps to buffer 'hammer' out of your water system. I find it to work best on RV's, because RV's use vaned-pumps for 'off-system' water, and you get a natural 'stutter' as a result. If you put a small pressurized tank in your system, the tank buffers that vaned-pump stutter, as well as acts like a anti-hammer to on-system water sources.

This is a really good product."

gmw photographics · 01-28-2016, 02:17 PM

I use this one:
http://http://www.campingworld.com/s...ead-free/49511

.... seems to work well. Don't leave it where it can freeze in the winter, as this will destroy the gauge.
I stayed at a CG in Texas one time where they warned in print on the map of the CG that they have high water pressure, sometimes as high as 95psi.

Michigantraveler · 01-28-2016, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw photographics

I use this one:
http://http://www.campingworld.com/s...ead-free/49511

.... seems to work well. Don't leave it where it can freeze in the winter, as this will destroy the gauge.
I stayed at a CG in Texas one time where they warned in print on the map of the CG that they have high water pressure, sometimes as high as 95psi.

Thanks. The link did not work for me. Not sure why.

John_C · 01-28-2016, 09:00 PM

I use a regulator between the filter and trailer and have had no issues with it, but feel that if the CG water pressure is high, my system is protected...

gmw photographics · 01-28-2016, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

Thanks. The link did not work for me. Not sure why.

Not sure why the link didn't work. Go to camping world dot com, and search for "adjustable water regulator".....and look for the valterra that is $64.99. That's the one I am using. Sorry for the bad link and confusion

Michigantraveler · 01-29-2016, 03:29 AM

Thanks John C. It could be something on my end as well that doesn't allow the link to work.
???
I think that is the one Amazon shows for $55.29 with free 2 day shipping on my Prime though Camping World doesn't list the mfg. part number.
This one....Valterra A01-1117VP Brass Lead-Free Adjustable Water Regulator

Eagle · 01-29-2016, 11:41 PM

This ~ install it and forget it plus never lose it or leave it behind:

Robot Check