Bypassing built-in pressure regulator

[Lindenberg]

I read in the post below about drilling a hole through the built-in pressure regulator to bypass it. Does anyone know what size hole to drill and what directioin to drill from? I know I could just remove it but then I'll have a large hole in my service bay.

~~~ old post ~~~

Do you suffer from low water flow? If you have an older Alpine, 1998-1999-???? your built in pressure regulator is probably the problem. We have had 3 fail, one worked for about 10 days, one worked to 36 hours!!! The regulator is suppose to provide pressure at 50 psi but most fail and provide maybe 30 psi. We continue to run into owners with the problem - the latest had just paid $100 or so for a new regulator and installation and it did not fix the problem! You need to "drill a hole in it" to defeat the pressure regulation feature and use an external regulator. The "drill a hole in it" fix was discussed at the 2000 ACA Homecoming Rally in Toppenish so many owners know about it. Some owners claim they don't have the problem - the solution they use is to turn the water pump on for showers!!! They have the problem! For the external regulator buy a home type (e.g., Wilkins Model 70, 3/4 inch, about $35 at Home Depot including the adapters to convert to hose fittings). Adjust it to 50 psi. Don't use the RV type - you need 50 psi, the typical RV units are 40-45 psi plus they restrict flow. Even the RV adjustable type (e.g., Watts type) give low flow (we used one for a year before converting to the home type).

For newer Alpines which do not have the built in regulator make sure you use the home type regulator mentioned above (adjust it to 50 psi). If you use inline filters, place the regulator after the filters. We just talked to an owner with a 2004 Alpine and this fix increased his water flow.

[Lindenberg]

I read in the post below about drilling a hole through the built-in pressure regulator to bypass it. Does anyone know what size hole to drill and what directioin to drill from? I know I could just remove it but then I'll have a large hole in my service bay.

~~~ old post ~~~

Do you suffer from low water flow? If you have an older Alpine, 1998-1999-???? your built in pressure regulator is probably the problem. We have had 3 fail, one worked for about 10 days, one worked to 36 hours!!! The regulator is suppose to provide pressure at 50 psi but most fail and provide maybe 30 psi. We continue to run into owners with the problem - the latest had just paid $100 or so for a new regulator and installation and it did not fix the problem! You need to "drill a hole in it" to defeat the pressure regulation feature and use an external regulator. The "drill a hole in it" fix was discussed at the 2000 ACA Homecoming Rally in Toppenish so many owners know about it. Some owners claim they don't have the problem - the solution they use is to turn the water pump on for showers!!! They have the problem! For the external regulator buy a home type (e.g., Wilkins Model 70, 3/4 inch, about $35 at Home Depot including the adapters to convert to hose fittings). Adjust it to 50 psi. Don't use the RV type - you need 50 psi, the typical RV units are 40-45 psi plus they restrict flow. Even the RV adjustable type (e.g., Watts type) give low flow (we used one for a year before converting to the home type).

For newer Alpines which do not have the built in regulator make sure you use the home type regulator mentioned above (adjust it to 50 psi). If you use inline filters, place the regulator after the filters. We just talked to an owner with a 2004 Alpine and this fix increased his water flow.

[Lindenberg]

I answered my own question. I removed the sureflo water inlet from the service bay and took it apart. I discovered the side with the hose connection on it has a check valve that I left alone. The other half had the regulator in it so I drilled a hole through the middle of it. I now have great water flow. I just need to add a high flow regulator from Home Depot.