BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Mark Bodenhamer on December 05, 2020, 10:58:53 PM

Title: Water Pressure
Post by: Mark Bodenhamer on December 05, 2020, 10:58:53 PM
When connected to city water the inside water pressure starts off good then drops.  It drops fast.  When using tank water and the pump, the flow rate is fine.  I checked/cleaned all the aerators and filters on the faucets.  It's not that.  The pressure regulator is at 55/psi.  All the screens looked cool.  I measured the flow rate from the hose and filter which was 5.6/gpm.  Inside the coach, I removed the cold water hose from the faucet, using that as the source to test the flow rate in the coach got 1.1/gpm.  Got about the same from the faucet when I reconnected the cold water.  Taking into assumption that modern faucets flow at 1.8/gpm I don't expect the 5.6/gpm.  Would be nice though.  Where am I loosing the pressure?  How do I fix it?  It would be nice to take a shower and actually get wet in a timely manner.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Steve Huber on December 05, 2020, 11:31:05 PM
Mark,
It sounds like the shore water supply pressure regulator may be failing, assuming you have constant pressure at the shore hookup. Not sure where it is located on your coach but many are right behind the shore water inlet. The loss of pressure just after turn on could also be caused by debris in the line but doubtful as you've checked all the filters.
Steve
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Carl Boger on December 05, 2020, 11:38:51 PM
On my coach the shore water pressure regulator is directly behind the water inlet.  It is not visible without removing the mounting board.  That is where I would start.  With the mounting board loose you could check for water pressure/ flow at that point.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Bill Lampkin on December 05, 2020, 11:44:50 PM
Here is the water pressure regulator I used last summer. Seemed to be a bit more flow in the shower.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Fresh-Water/JR-Products/37204-62425.html?feed=npn
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Mark Bodenhamer on December 06, 2020, 12:10:18 AM
My gut was telling me that there was something going on behind the hose connection.  On the water inlet there are four screws holding it.  Should I start by removing them?  We live in this thing don't wanna mess up the water source.  I think I'll fill the tank before I go messing around.  Can the internal regulator be bypassed or removed? 
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Frank Bergamo on December 06, 2020, 12:55:25 AM
Mark,
try removing the screws on front of regulator. Once free it hopefully will have enough slack to pull out far enough to get to fitting on back of regulator to remove water line. Once water line is free, reinstall new regulator in reverse order. If that does not work, you will have to access back side to get to fitting. Here is a new one. https://www.wholesalemarine.com/shurflo-pressure-regulating-fresh-water-fill-wall-mount.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Irw1JO47QIVkzytBh0NogFwEAQYAyABEgIgifD_BwE#&gid=1&pid=image-0  Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Steve Huber on December 06, 2020, 01:43:41 AM
Mark,
Do not remove the regulator w/o replacing it. Park water pressures vary greatly and the last thing you need is to blow an internal line. "Murphy" will make sure it is in an inaccessible spot  :)
Steve
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Bill Lampkin on December 06, 2020, 02:34:41 AM
You can replace your inlet pressure regulator ( I would) with an external one like the one in my post above-It screws right onto the hose bib at the campground. Not only will this protect the motorhome, but it'll keep your water hose from excess campground water pressure. I usually hook up a brass 'y' with shutoff valves to the hose bib; on one side I fit a small pressure gauge (they have a garden hose connection for use in checking home irrigation systems, find them at Home Depot) and on the other side I put the external pressure regulator, water filter, and finally the hose connection to the motorhome. Surflo and others make city water inlets just like the one you have but minus the pressure regulator. More often than not, you will only find high water pressure at campgrounds in the mountains.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Mark Bodenhamer on December 06, 2020, 03:43:19 AM
I use this Renator M11-0660R Water Pressure Regulator Valve. Brass Lead-free Adjustable Water Pressure Reducer with Gauge for RV Camper, and Inlet Screened Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7JZTYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_FjfZFbP06GMAK religiously so I’m not to concerned about having an internal regulator. Tomorrow I’ll dig out the screwdriver and see what’s up. I truly appreciate the advice. I’ll let y’all know why I find. Thanks again for the help.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Keith Moffett Co-Admin on December 06, 2020, 11:37:26 AM
The Beaver usualy comes with a regulator built into the city water connection which I believe is the one Steve is refering to .
We had to replace the one in our '02 Marquis and it made all the difference.  I dont trust them on their own and so will continue using an external one as well.
Also, BCS has them or did.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Fred Brooks on December 06, 2020, 02:53:01 PM
    Mark,
  These city water connections have a built in pressure regulator and they fail on a regular basis. Especially in Arizona with all the "dissolved" minerals clogging up the works. Pretty easy to replace. Fred
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Mark Bodenhamer on December 07, 2020, 01:44:19 AM
Ordered one today.  I should have it installed Tuesday/Wednesday.  I truly appreciate all the help.  I'll post how it goes.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Jim Walker on December 07, 2020, 09:49:34 PM
Previous to this thread I did not know there was a built in water pressure valve. On our last trip a couple of weeks ago we experienced a drop in water pressure. After inspecting mine I decided to replace it. I have always used a valve attached between the hose and the inlet. the question comes to mind, with the built in valve is it necessary to have the extra one as well? With two in place would there be any less water pressure? In other words is having two redundant or adding another layer of protection?
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Bill Lampkin on December 07, 2020, 09:53:39 PM
I would replace the water inlet pressure regulator with one that does not have the pressure regulator. But now the onus is on you to use your hose bib mounted regulator. BTW, easier to fix/replace the hose bib regulator than one behind the water inlet panel. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Fred Brooks on December 07, 2020, 10:56:33 PM
   Bill,
 I agree with your suggestion, however when you remove the existing Shurflo inlet you are left with a 3 1/2" hole in the stainless finish panel. I guess you could make a 5" by 5" cover piece if you had access to 304 stainless. I finally decided just to replace it. Even so, some RV parks have such regulated water pressure I just use my water pump with its 55 psi. Fred
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Jim Walker on December 08, 2020, 01:05:05 AM
Ordered the Shurflo replacement as I couldn't find a fitting without the regulator that wouldn't require new mounting holes for the screws. I'm going to use the external regulator between the hose and the campground faucet to prevent a burst hose which happened once with a previous rig. Will see if pressure is affected by having two regulators. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Bill Lampkin on December 08, 2020, 01:31:18 AM
Here's one, no pressure regulator. Covers hole.

https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-321-B-2P-Polar-White/dp/B004RCSKCW/ref=sr_1_20_mod_primary_new?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAwrf-BRA9EiwAUWwKXo45RYufx5G_WM2Gzbnssa_sxvov2DCh7Aq0y_qtW4pGhJw0Ei_AdhoCEIEQAvD_BwE&hvadid=410000718704&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032602&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3329760986086625131&hvtargid=kwd-23507735228&hydadcr=24656_11410729&keywords=rv+city+water+inlet&qid=1607390964&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-20&tag=googhydr-20
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Eric Maclean Co-Admin on December 08, 2020, 01:40:03 AM
Jim
I took mine out and disassembled it took out the pressure regulator plunger and spring leaving only the check valve intact
The back of the unit is held together by four screws
I now use an external mounted adjustable pressure regulator.
It made a high difference in pressure and flow rate in the coach.
Hope this helps
Eric
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Jim Walker on December 08, 2020, 03:44:48 PM
Thanks Eric, that's something I wouldn't have thought of. The replacement I ordered arrives today. I'm going to try what you suggested with the old one and see how that goes. Either way I've got a solution thanks to the knowledge and experience on this forum. Thanks to all.
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Eric Maclean Co-Admin on December 09, 2020, 03:34:07 PM
Jim
Keep in touch ( let us know how you made out)
Title: Re: Water Pressure
Post by: Mark Bodenhamer on December 10, 2020, 07:03:02 PM
Replaced the regulator today. It literally took longer to unscrew the four screws. The old one was manufactured 10/2001. Noticeable change with the new one. Thanks all.