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xCliff · 09-16-2015, 09:20 PM

Do I need a water pressure regulator when hooking up to water at an RV campsite to fill up my fresh water tank? I've heard that it will serve as added protection from damage to my plumbing if there is too much water pressure at the site.

dznf0g · 09-17-2015, 06:26 AM

Many times , no...but sometimes, yes. I have seen campsite pressure as high as 80psi once. That could make for an inconvenient and messy repair. I have seen pressures all over the map, but that was the highest. I set my adjustable regulator to 50psi and never worry about it again.

Keith Gantt · 09-17-2015, 06:26 AM

It's built in my Airstream, so no need.

The Streaming Gantt's on Airstream Forums

dznf0g · 09-17-2015, 06:31 AM

Keith, two problems with the AS internal one.

1) doesn't protect your hose (no biggie????? you be the judge)
2) the AS ones are plastic and prone to leaking (which I suspect is due to a high pressure event) This creates floor rot if it is a small leak over time and a mess if it is a large leak. I re-sealed mine and started using a brass Watts at the spigot. Everything, including the original AS regulator are now protected. Many folks remove the plastic AS one, and I probably will next time I have a reason to disassemble that area for repair or maintenance.

AWCHIEF · 09-17-2015, 06:32 AM

My trailer also has a built in regulator. One less thing I feel a need to buy just to have.

dznf0g · 09-17-2015, 06:39 AM

I might add, mine did leak after a couple years of use. I noted water dripping steadily out the belly pan in that area. I removed and re-sealed the body halves and later got an external brass regulator.

Wayward · 09-17-2015, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

problems with the AS internal one.

1) doesn't protect your hose (no biggie????? you be the judge)

I have two fresh water hoses. Both now have hose clamps on them after the original crimped brass fittings were blown off by campground water pressure.

Now that I have corrected the "weak points", I suspect the internal Airstream pressure regulator cannot be far behind

dkottum · 09-17-2015, 07:37 AM

I believe it's the anti-backflow valve on campground spigots that locks water within your fresh water hose and your closed airstream plumbing system that bursts the hose. The water is trapped, expands as the sun heats it up and blows out the weakest point, which fortunately is your fresh water hose.

A second pressure regulator in the system will not prevent this, will it? Keeping an air bubble in your water heater or adding a water pressure accumulator to take up the expansion will.

Wayward · 09-17-2015, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I believe it's the anti-backflow valve on campground spigots that locks water within your fresh water hose and your closed airstream plumbing system that bursts the hose. The water is trapped, expands as the sun heats it up and blows out the weakest point, which fortunately is your fresh water hose.

A second pressure regulator in the system will not prevent this, will it? Keeping an air bubble in your water heater or adding a water pressure accumulator to take up the expansion will.

Interesting. Thanks!

dznf0g · 09-17-2015, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I believe it's the anti-backflow valve on campground spigots that locks water within your fresh water hose and your closed airstream plumbing system that bursts the hose. The water is trapped, expands as the sun heats it up and blows out the weakest point, which fortunately is your fresh water hose.

A second pressure regulator in the system will not prevent this, will it? Keeping an air bubble in your water heater or adding a water pressure accumulator to take up the expansion will.

Theoretically, the AS regulator would prevent any pressure rise, due expansion in the hose from entering the AS. Wont help the hose though. I, quite frankly haven't noted this being an issue....maybe in the desert or very high sun load and high temp conditions, but I haven't experienced it.

KJRitchie · 09-17-2015, 08:25 AM

When I first got my preowned 2008 Classic 25fb in 2013 I installed my own regulator on the faucet then the hose to the Airstream. I thought their was something wrong as the water pressure seemed low. When I took my regulator off the faucet the pressure was normal. I had used this faucet regulator on my Casita (it doesn't have built in water regulator) without notice of pressure loss. Since then I just plug the hose directly into the Airstream and let it regulate the pressure. My water inlet is in a compartment in a lower access area so if the regulator would leak it would go straight to the ground. Hopefully its an easy job to replace if ever needed.

Kelvin

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-17-2015, 08:40 AM

Hi, I have an external water pressure regulator to protect my hoses. I only use it at camp grounds where their water pressure is real high. Most camp grounds with high water pressure will let you know and/or sale/loan you a pressure regulator. One camp ground told us their water pressure can go higher than 100 lbs.

AWCHIEF · 09-17-2015, 08:46 AM

Anyone know what the internal regulator is rated at?

dznf0g · 09-17-2015, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Anyone know what the internal regulator is rated at?

This is what I found:

"This combination water pressure-reducer and check valve diaphragm design prevents high-pressure damage often caused by city water systems. This high performance water entry limit water pressure safely to a nominal 65 PSI (50 PSI inline version only) while meeting or surpassing all check valve code requirements."

Not sure exactly what that means though???????

dznf0g · 09-17-2015, 09:01 AM

Pressure Reducing City Water Entry (Wall Mount) - Gel White | Water Entries

65psi.

I keep my Watts adjusted to 60psi at the spigot.

AWCHIEF · 09-17-2015, 09:23 AM

Rich, thank you

TomKirk · 09-17-2015, 11:08 AM

I found thru experience, and a lotta trial and error, that a water pressure regulator that attaches to the shore hose bib is not enough. I've seen parks where daytime water pressure is 60 psi; and nighttime pressure is 90 psi.

Your garden variety water pressure regulator (on hose bib) simply won't withstand those pressures for very long. In addition to a pressure regulator, to be safe, what you need is a pressure relief valve (where excess water pressure is leaked onto the ground).

My '77 AS came standard equipped with a Watts regulator and pressure relief valve. I've since added an internal pressure gauge so I can adjust incoming water psi to my liking (40 psi and 45 psi, respectively). I also have a gauge that attaches to the hose bib. The psi readings on those gauges will shock you.

The following links will give you a better idea of what I'm talking about.

Tom

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Watts-3-4-in-Plastic-Water-Pressure-Test-Gauge-DP-IWTG/100175467

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-100-psi-Pressure-Gauge-EBM1002-4L/205617969

http://www.grainger.com/product/WATTS-Water-Pressure-Regulator-Valve-26X116?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/26X116_AS01?$smthumb$

http://www.grainger.com/product/WATTS-Lead-Free-Brass-Calibrated-WP98845/_/N-mwy?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/5DLZ1_AS01?$smthumb$

dames7 · 09-17-2015, 11:21 AM

After traveling most of the summer in 9 states the only BAD water pressure was at Coulter Bay RV park. the water pressure blew out my AS regulator and my water hose was shot before I knew it.

The only place to get it fix was in Denver, CO a week later. While I was at the AS dealership get a replacement the service manager told me that they replace these a lot. It was under warranties and only took 30 minutes to replace, the part is under $50 and is easy to replace.

I ask all camp grounds about water pressure and was told that it was ok, I have order a more heavy duty fresh water hoses and will be getting an outside regulator for the out side faucet. You do have a back-up by filling your fresh water tank until repair is needed.

Barretta2 · 09-17-2015, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Keith, two problems with the AS internal one.

1) doesn't protect your hose (no biggie????? you be the judge)
2) the AS ones are plastic and prone to leaking (which I suspect is due to a high pressure event) This creates floor rot if it is a small leak over time and a mess if it is a large leak. I re-sealed mine and started using a brass Watts at the spigot. Everything, including the original AS regulator are now protected. Many folks remove the plastic AS one, and I probably will next time I have a reason to disassemble that area for repair or maintenance.

Thanks, Keith for the warning...I'm an AS newbie (23 FC) and had been relying on the internal regulator. Now I'll play it safe.

Jacob D · 09-17-2015, 01:32 PM

I don't know about other vintage A/S's but our '67 has a brass pressure regulator. I hope it never goes bad because it is in an inaccessible place behind the toilet. So far it hasn't. Like KJRitchie, when using a regulator at the faucet in addition to the original built in regulator, pressure inside was too low. Ambient heat shouldn't over pressure the piping inside because the safety valve on the water heater would open to relieve the excess pressure. The water pump would probably relieve the excess pressure even before that.