Community Forums

kmsquared · 04-25-2015, 04:43 PM

Hello and thanks to all, especially you who may be able to help me.

Question 1: Water pressure from all 3 outlets (shower, bath sink, and kitchen sink) is fine with city water off and the water pump running. BUT when city water is on, the water pressure from both hot and cold lines deteriorates to a trickle. I do use a pressure-regulator on the city water line; do I need a new one?

Question 2: When I use the water pump, I can't get any hot water! Why not?

I'm so confused!

I am the recent owner of a used 2006 Dutchman Class C, 26'. My level of ability to DIY anything is HELP! HELP! HELP! Call the service person!

Kathy M.

Skip426 · 04-25-2015, 05:04 PM

First, the park water pressure may be so low that you don't need a restrictor/regulator, your regulator may be shot , but unless you have one with a gauge on it you can't tell for sure.
Now as for no hot water, are you getting any with just the city water on ? or is the flow so low you can't be sure.
A few things to check.
Make sure the water heater by-pass valves are in the summer use position.
If you are heating with electric , make sure the electric switch is on ( some heaters have a second switch outside behind the cover panel, lower left, hidden behind the propane tubing.
And that the circuit breaker in the panel is fully re-set.
If you have an outdoor shower, make sure the taps are turned off, not just the shower head.
Here's a picture of a common water heater by-pass valve arrangement .
When the handle of the valve is across the tube 90 degrees the valve is off, so for hot water you need the top and bottom valves aligned with the tubes and the center valve 90 degrees to the tubing.
If you still have issues, please post your water heater brand and model number, and we'll try to be of more help.

In the picture all three valves are open , in this case the user would not be getting any hot water.

kmsquared · 04-25-2015, 10:28 PM

Thank you! As soon as it's light, I'll get out there and check, as you suggested.

Right now, it's dark and rainy, and I'm just going to huddle here. As this is a Southern California vehicle (both the previous owner and I), I doubt it's ever been winterized.

kmsquared · 04-25-2015, 10:33 PM

Re: Water pressure, I took the old regulator off, turned the park water on only halfway, and voila! nice water pressure. Skip 426, I feel like such a dummy: I didn't know you had to replace pressure regulators, and mine is several years old. I have ordered a new one that includes a meter to read the pressure. My very great thanks to you!

wa8yxm · 04-26-2015, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmsquared

I do use a pressure-regulator on the city water line; do I need a new one?

Question 2: When I use the water pump, I can't get any hot water! Why not?

In reverse order.. Check the outside shower,, Many times the valves (mixing) ar left open and flow is cut off at the head. This allows cold water to "Cross over" into the hot lines.. Just like the bypass valve does.

On the pressure.. You said you use a regulator Let me uess.. one of the first two in the list below.

1: Standard.. a 3/4 inch brass or plastic cyllinger male hose fitting on one end female on the other

2: High-Flow (Not) Same as above but a bright plastic grip on the female end (Camco has wings on the body)

3: Sur-Flo,, This is the kind often built into a motor home

4: Watts, Zurin, and 4B: Valterra Adjustable

Comments:
1: These are junk they can not pass water fast enough
2: A little better, but not much

3: I give this one about a 9,, Good enough for many rigs when new but it could be better

4: Now we are in the 10 range. Though the SMALLEST Watts units (Have not seen Zurin that small) I would avoid (Sur-Flo is a Watts product by the way) 1/2 inch or larger (mine are 3/4) works great.. You will need hose adapters
4B: I have not tested but others have.. See 4 save you do not need hose adapters since this was designed for RV use.

NOTE: As they age,, Flow is reduced, 8-10 years then on types 4 you can rebuild.. I think you can rebuild a sur-flo as well but have yet to see the kit.

nothermark · 04-26-2015, 06:26 AM

FWIW do you have a plugged up screen filter at the input connection for city water? ;-)

kmsquared · 04-27-2015, 12:58 PM

Many thanks to all of you!

I've discarded the old pressure regulator and ordered the Valterra regulator with the meter and adjustable pressure.

Since the pressure is fine without the old regulator, I believe there is no blockage at the city-water inlet screen itself, but I can't be certain, as I haven't yet pried it out. (Tried but didn't succeed; need to study the problem so I don't do more damage.)

I'll check the external shower; thanks for the suggestion!

Again:

mel s · 04-27-2015, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmsquared

Hello and thanks to all, especially you who may be able to help me.

Question 1: Water pressure from all 3 outlets (shower, bath sink, and kitchen sink) is fine with city water off and the water pump running. BUT when city water is on, the water pressure from both hot and cold lines deteriorates to a trickle. I do use a pressure-regulator on the city water line; do I need a new one?
Question 2: When I use the water pump, I can't get any hot water! Why not?
I'm so confused!
I am the recent owner of a used 2006 Dutchman Class C, 26'. My level of ability to DIY anything is HELP! HELP! HELP! Call the service person!

Kathy M.

Kathy
My coach has a pressure regulator built into the water entry.
http://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-183-02.../dp/B002OUPFOU

If I add another in the hose or at the faucet I have dismal city water pressure and water flow in the coach.
Mel
'96 Safari

kmsquared · 04-27-2015, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

Kathy
My coach has a pressure regulator built into the water entry.
http://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-183-02.../dp/B002OUPFOU

If I add another in the hose or at the faucet I have dismal city water pressure and water flow in the coach.
Mel
'96 Safari

Wow, what a nice feature! Alas, mine just has an ordinary hose connection. Thanks for showing me that, though.

dezrtracr · 04-28-2015, 12:01 AM

I had a similar thing happen to me. I was taking a shower and all of a sudden the water stopped! Turned on the water pump and the shower worked again. I replaced the regulator with a spare, it worked for a while, then once again no water. A friend that I was camping with had a cheap plastic spare regulator and it worked perfect for the rest of the trip. I couldn't believe that two regulators decided to quit working on the same weekend!