Water pressure

OregonRV · 12-30-2019, 04:03 PM

We have a 2019 Thor Aria. When we are on shore power/water we use a pressure reducer to protect the pipes but it results in horrible water pressure in the coach. I've found that we can really improve the pressure by turning the water pump on but I'm concerned about doing that when it's shore water versus using the tank. Is this ok to do? Will it damage our pump? Sure would like a shower with more than a dribble of water!

Coveman2 · 12-30-2019, 04:26 PM

I do not think its a good idea to run he pump when hooked up to city water. I use a pressure regulator that has a pressure guage and you can change the water pressure to what is good for you. I have found that 55 PSI is good for showers in our Compass
Coveman2
2018 Thor Compass 23TB

axis earl · 12-30-2019, 04:37 PM

Does your "pressure reducer" have a gauge on it? Some of the non-gauge pressure regulators can be a problem with pressure.

**16ACE27** · 12-30-2019, 05:18 PM

Yes, you can use your pump to "increase" your water pressure and flow (it won't hurt anything) but realize the pump will be supplying water from your onboard tank.

Your best bet is to remove your current pressure regulator and replace it with an adjustable one with downstream gauge when you get a chance.

The Gritz Carlton · 12-30-2019, 05:22 PM

Problem solver:

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-40058-A.../dp/B01N9QUEYZ

Set it at 50-55 PSI and relax!!

Bob Denman · 12-30-2019, 06:45 PM

I use a hi-flow pressure regulator from Valterra. I bought it at CW.

SuperD · 12-30-2019, 10:31 PM

I first test the water pressure with a gauge, if its not above 65 psi I don’t use a reducer. Only twice have I need to use a pressure device. Pressure gauges are available at most RV stores, sometimes at Lowes and Home Depot.

ducksface · 12-30-2019, 10:49 PM

We do things as easily as possible.
We just don't use city hookup unless we've screwed up and are out of coach water.
40 gallon on board tank lasts quite a while.
We just gravity fill the tank on whatever schedule creates itself.

We use a macerator, so no slinky hose to hook up, just dump when full and we're hooked up for less than 10 minutes every third day or so.

We plug in to 30 amp and we're done with production and moving onto something less hateful. Two minutes to plug in, or not, and walk away. We really don't even have to that, but it exercises some systems.

An adjustable water pressure regulator is the answer.
But
Learning to use the on board systems to your advantage is even better.

Just a different take on the situation.

Mulva · 01-08-2020, 07:27 PM

Hi, I have a 3901 also. I have a water reducer, but have never used it. Never had a problem either.
I usually open the water faucet with my hose but not connected to my coach yet. I evaluate the pressure and adjust before connecting to my coach.

rynosback · 01-08-2020, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperD

I first test the water pressure with a gauge, if its not above 65 psi I don’t use a reducer. Only twice have I need to use a pressure device. Pressure gauges are available at most RV stores, sometimes at Lowes and Home Depot.

The problem with that is the water pressure can change. I camped by Stone Mountain and the park said that a pressure regulator was necessary. As the water pressure would go above 125 psi at night once the local business closed.

I keep and adjustable regulator hooked up all the time.

rynosback · 01-08-2020, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonRV

We have a 2019 Thor Aria. When we are on shore power/water we use a pressure reducer to protect the pipes but it results in horrible water pressure in the coach. I've found that we can really improve the pressure by turning the water pump on but I'm concerned about doing that when it's shore water versus using the tank. Is this ok to do? Will it damage our pump? Sure would like a shower with more than a dribble of water!

If you like your onboard pumps pressure better. Then fill your tank up and run on your pump all the time. You can leave your city water hose connected, but turn off the faucet. This way when you need more water it is just a couple turns of a couple knobs and you have water in your tank again.

Cwray · 01-08-2020, 11:24 PM

I’m currently in a similar situation as the OP, and am benefiting from “two wrongs don’t make a right—but three lefts do!”

I’ve got both the problem of city water connect is providing good water pressure as indicated by my adjustable water regulator but doesn’t translate into good pressure inside the rig & a slightly leaking backstop valve inside my water pump.

Typically, I benefit from turning on the pump even when connected to city water. having an empty tank means turning on the pump won’t help. But taking additional time to fill the 50 gallon gravity tank is both an added hassle, and gets many quizzical looks/comments from friends and neighbors about filling the tank when there’s a water connection at my site. Luckily, there’s a leak from the city water piping inside my rig that backfills my tank.

So I usually just sit back and leave the pump on. At some point, enough water is used and the reverse leak inside my pump fillis up my tank. When I see water slowly spilling out of the overfill outlet of the tank, I turn off the pump for a while. With a family of five, lots of friends with kids and dogs, and an outdoor kitchen—enough water gets used that I can turn on the pump again for when me and the missus need it for our showers.

Richard · 01-08-2020, 11:47 PM

Some water pressure regulators have a rubber gasket with a screen. Should the screen be clogged it will impede water flow. Additionally, if the rubber gasket has too small of an opening it will impede water flow... so you might consider removing the gasket and screen. The

Tebo53AZ · 01-09-2020, 01:06 PM

Always check the water pressure or just use a regulator with gauge. I did a quick night in Reno and didn’t check. Pressure was high and I developed a leak by the water heater that took awhile to catch.i have had problems with the Kant Leak allowing the fresh water tanks to fill and overflow when on city water setting. Changed the valve but still had a problem. I finally installed shut off valves in both lines to prevent this. Just need to remember to open them when I need to use the pump.

lucita white · 01-13-2020, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulva

Hi, I have a 3901 also. I have a water reducer, but have never used it. Never had a problem either.
I usually open the water faucet with my hose but not connected to my coach yet. I evaluate the pressure and adjust before connecting to my coach.

How do you "adjust before connecting to my coach"? Are you saying you lower the pressure by reducing the flow by turning the faucet handle? I assume this is what you mean since you said you have never used your pressure reducer. If so, this doesn't work.

Bob Denman · 01-13-2020, 11:11 PM

I just ordered an adjustable pressure regulator with a gauge and a screened inlet for about $26.00 from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Star-...s%2C155&sr=8-6

For this price: what the heck; it's worth a shot...

lucita white · 01-14-2020, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulva

Hi, I have a 3901 also. I have a water reducer, but have never used it. Never had a problem either.
I usually open the water faucet with my hose but not connected to my coach yet. I evaluate the pressure and adjust before connecting to my coach.

How do you "adjust before connecting to my coach"? Are you saying you lower the pressure by reducing the flow by turning the faucet handle? I assume this is what you mean since you said you have never used your pressure reducer. If so, this doesn't work.

**16ACE27** · 01-14-2020, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulva

Hi, I have a 3901 also. I have a water reducer, but have never used it. Never had a problem either.
I usually open the water faucet with my hose but not connected to my coach yet. I evaluate the pressure and adjust before connecting to my coach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucita white

How do you "adjust before connecting to my coach"? Are you saying you lower the pressure by reducing the flow by turning the faucet handle? I assume this is what you mean since you said you have never used your pressure reducer. If so, this doesn't work.

Sounds like he is adjusting FLOW with the spigot valve which does nothing to reduce static pressure to the coach.

Pete'sMH · 01-14-2020, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I just ordered an adjustable pressure regulator with a gauge and a screened inlet for about $26.00 from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Star-...s%2C155&sr=8-6

For this price: what the heck; it's worth a shot...

I reached the same conclusion a year or so ago. The gauge tells you exactly what you’ve got and the one I bought was cheap and seems well made. I keep it on my hose.

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