Low shore water pressure

GTHill · 08-02-2009, 02:30 PM

I've done some thread searching and found that low water flow problems on these are somewhat common. I'm guessing that my coach has a flow regulator, but I can't find it. I read that it is located behind the water input connector, but I don't see anything there except the pipe and connector. My plan is to remove or disable the flow regulator and install a new one. Any help is greatly appreciated!

GT

wa8yxm · 08-03-2009, 10:01 AM

I hope you don't have a 'Flow regulator" however you should have a pressure regulator

There are 2 common types of "RV-pressure Regulators" and a 3rd type that works better

The two commons are combined "inlet/Regulators" in this case your city water inlet is also the pressure regulator,, If your city water inlet is more or less a circle of plastic, look to see if there is a "Vent" screen about an inch from the inlet itself. this means it is the pressure regulator (straight inlets, w/o regulation do not have the vent, or a need for one)

The other kind is the classic "In-line" a bit under 1" in diamater (Same as a 3/4" garden hose) it goes in line, it is also a flow restrictor, The standard one limits you way too much, the high flow types (These will have a colored rubber grip ring on the female end) are better but.. Still not good enough.

The good ones are like the WATTS pressure regulators, get one with a 3/4" IPT in and out, some brass adapters and some teflon tape at Lowes or Home Depot and have fun.. They do not restrict flow,,, You can use a 1/2 inch but the plumbing is harder to do.

IN addition many rigs have an in-line whole house water filter.. This may be part of your motor home, or it may be a filter you hook up in the hose path.

This clogs and reduces flow as it gets older

EngineerMike · 08-03-2009, 04:01 PM

I've had the inline type freeze up entirely, nothing gets thru at all, sort of like Congress & intelligent thought. Perhaps if you find one of those you can soak it in vinegar to remove the calcium deposits and see if that fixes it. Not sure what we can do about Congress, need something stronger than vinegar.

Mine has a brass check valve built into the water fill but no regulator. I show full city pressure on the gauge when hooked up (sometimes 75psi). Occasionally a park will warn of overly high pressure, usually in the 65+ vicinity, and will have a basket of inline regulators you can purchase. I carry one of those in case I see 80 or over. The plastic diverter valves (city/tank) don't work to hold that pressure across the internal seal, but hold water so you may have a leak back to the tank internally if you haven't added additional check valves where needed.

GTHill · 08-03-2009, 04:05 PM

Thank you for the replies. Does anyone know where I would find the regulator on my coach? Is there some diagram somewhere that I'm missing that tells me where everything is located so I can (almost) stop bugging the forum? Thanks!

GT

takepride · 08-05-2009, 11:52 PM

GT:

Since your coach is "debugged by others" (used), it's hard to say how WRV built it and what the previous owner may have done. The only way to figure it out is to follow the flow. Mine came with one on the end of the hose, probably yours, too. I know it came from the factory that way since I have the video of the walk-through from the original owner.

Start at the end of your hose, check where it goes into the coach, follow it until it arrives at the tank (though it will be before the fill valve). Free training lesson included with every investigation.

I'd recommend installing a whole-house, residential, high flow pressure regulator in line, before the fill valve. Set it to about 55 or 60 psi. I bought mine at Home Depot along with the various adapters need to fit my tubing. It's riding between my waste tanks, where the tube passes by.

Easy job, scary prospect.