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ByeCali · 09-18-2021, 04:51 PM

To set the scene:

We have about 1,200 miles on our 2021 27' FBQ Globetrotter (we absolutely LOVE IT). This is our first trailer and I have roughly the mechanical aptitude and expertise of a dairy cow. On our last trip we spent 7 nights at one location and everything was fine with our water heater. On the way home we stayed over for one night at an interim park. That's when our water heater quit working. The panel in the bathroom showed that the system would kick on, the water would get up to temp (we have it set at 119) and then it would shut off....temperature would come down right away and the water pressure dropped. Not good. Here is what I checked:

All the breakers and fuses in the electrical panel under the fridge---looked good
Opened the door to the water heater 'box' outside the trailer and checked that litlle fuse...looked good.
Got my tools out of the back of my truck and thought about randomly taking the water heater apart like a 4 year old hopped up on Skittles. Wisely decided to put tools back in truck.

After we got home we put in a call to our dealer and told them that the darn water heater was broken. We hitched up and drove an hour to the dealer. Luckily they had a technician there who took a quick look and then asked "are you using a water pressure regulator?"

"Of course we are, all the Youtube videos say we need to do that to protect the plumbing from too much pressure."

"Yeah, you don't need that; The 2021 Globetrotter has that built-in. Your external pressure regulator dropped the pressure too low. The park you stayed at probably had low pressure and the double regulators killed it more. The water heater works fine on the water pump."

I make these mistakes for your benefit.

**GCinSC2** · 09-18-2021, 04:58 PM

4 yr old on skittles[emoji23]

Good you got it going.

Last wknd neighbor in SOB had same on demand no-go. Even asked if others were having water pressure problems, nope.

He had a fancy adjustable regulator all cranked up. Even asked staff.

He was a bit mule headed about using his fancy regulator. Turns out as soon as he removed it hot water flowed.

Gary

goldenchase · 09-18-2021, 06:51 PM

From the GT parts manual.

ByeCali · 09-18-2021, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchase

From the GT parts manual.

NOW you tell me [emoji23]

ByeCali · 09-18-2021, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

4 yr old on skittles[emoji23]

Good you got it going.

Last wknd neighbor in SOB had same on demand no-go. Even asked if others were having water pressure problems, nope.

He had a fancy adjustable regulator all cranked up. Even asked staff.

He was a bit mule headed about using his fancy regulator. Turns out as soon as he removed it hot water flowed.

Gary

If he needs another fancy regulator I might know where he can pick one up cheap.

Wazbro · 09-18-2021, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByeCali

If he needs another fancy regulator I might know where he can pick one up cheap.

Well in campgrounds that have less then 70 psi the extra regulator can cause problems but, if you go to a campground with more then 100 psi it is still a good idea.

goldenchase · 09-18-2021, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Well in campgrounds that have less then 70 psi the extra regulator can cause problems but, if you go to a campground with more then 100 psi it is still a good idea.

Why? If it is capping at 50 psi on the camper wall, no regulator is needed unless you want to protect the hose.

rmkrum · 09-18-2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchase

Why? If it is capping at 50 psi on the camper wall, no regulator is needed unless you want to protect the hose.

Exactly why. Hose can swell and burst at very high campground pressures. Especially in hot weather.

ByeCali · 09-18-2021, 10:29 PM

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I guess I will continue to use my fancy regulator at the spigot, then my short blue hose into my over-the-top double filtration system, into my zero G hose, then into my 90 degree fitting (that the YouTube guys also say I need) then into the “city water” fitting. Easy as pie! Then, if the water pressure is too low I’ll remove the FR (fancy regulator). If the pressure is sufficient, I’m good. If the pressure is high, I’m protected all the way down the line. Belt and suspenders.

Wazbro · 09-19-2021, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchase

Why? If it is capping at 50 psi on the camper wall, no regulator is needed unless you want to protect the hose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Exactly why. Hose can swell and burst at very high campground pressures. Especially in hot weather.

Yes protecting the hose and filter is the main reason.

Some people also believe that even if the built in regulator wasn't cheap you shouldn't assume it will never fail.

goldenchase · 09-19-2021, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Yes protecting the hose and filter is the main reason.

Some people also believe that even if the built in regulator wasn't cheap you shouldn't assume it will never fail.

I am all for critical system redundancy. However, the failure of a external, inexpensive hose going to the pressure regulator hardly rises to a major concern. As to failure of the built in regulator, I guess that would have to be stacked up against on all the other devices in the trailer that can fail. Carrying spares for all the critical systems in case of failure would be challenging.

Rather than a second regulator consider a high pressure hose. Flexible, stainless steel hoses are cheap on Amazon.

JCWDCW · 09-19-2021, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchase

Why? If it is capping at 50 psi on the camper wall, no regulator is needed unless you want to protect the hose.

Right! Your hose can’t handle 100 psig especially in the sun
Frog Hollow I’m Mississippi always gave us a regulator because their pressure is 90 psig and the reason is to protect the water hose
JCW

gcj · 09-19-2021, 09:53 AM

ByeCali, I have nothing to add other than I thoroughly enjoyed your writeup! And, I learned something. Thank you for brightening my day!

n2916s · 09-19-2021, 11:01 AM

I just fill my water tank and use my onboard pump, avoiding all these issues.

The cost? Every other day or so I may have to top off my water tank…

ByeCali · 09-19-2021, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcj

ByeCali, I have nothing to add other than I thoroughly enjoyed your writeup! And, I learned something. Thank you for brightening my day!

[emoji106]

franklyfrank · 09-19-2021, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Well in campgrounds that have less then 70 psi the extra regulator can cause problems but, if you go to a campground with more then 100 psi it is still a good idea.

If anything count on low water pressure at all times.
Watermain pressure is normaly ranged between 50 and 60 PSI.
The idea that you need to protect your domestic system from high water pressure is a joke.
Works for people selling regulators.

Wazbro · 09-20-2021, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

If anything count on low water pressure at all times.
Watermain pressure is normaly ranged between 50 and 60 PSI.
The idea that you need to protect your domestic system from high water pressure is a joke.
Works for people selling regulators.

NOT TRUE. Many campgrounds sized water lines to what was needed when they first opened with no thought about ever expanding. Then a few years or decades later expanded to double or triple the number of sites and just connected to the existing pipes, now way undersized for demand. To get around this problem they increase the pressure instead of fixing it by running new lines to get enough volume.

Remember many campgrounds are rural and have wells not water mains from a city.

Mollysdad · 09-20-2021, 11:15 AM

Remember, the built in regulator does not protect your hose from high pressure.
Remember our old campground for Alumilina? I was warned that the park pressure was 90 psi and sold another regulator for the hose barb.

I think I'd rather run the pump when needed than forgo my second regulator.

But, glad you found your answer, we learn something every day!

Wazbro · 09-20-2021, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenchase

I am all for critical system redundancy. However, the failure of a external, inexpensive hose going to the pressure regulator hardly rises to a major concern. As to failure of the built in regulator, I guess that would have to be stacked up against on all the other devices in the trailer that can fail. Carrying spares for all the critical systems in case of failure would be challenging.

Rather than a second regulator consider a high pressure hose. Flexible, stainless steel hoses are cheap on Amazon.

A burst hose can be a major concern in some areas. Many areas out west are currently in critical/severe drought conditions, this makes a burst hose wasting water for half an hour to a few hours a major concern for the environment and people that live in the area, it's not just the cost of a hose.

rmkrum · 09-20-2021, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazbro

A burst hose can be a major concern in some areas. Many areas out west are currently in critical/severe drought conditions, this makes a burst hose wasting water for half an hour to a few hours a major concern for the environment and people that live in the area, it's not just the cost of a hose.

Yup. Exactly. California, for one, is in a severe drought most areas, and water waste can get you a citation.