What is too much pressure?

[screamineagle]

Hello, I have a question, What water pressure can our Grand Design RV's handle, I run the small regulator prior to the nautilus but I find it seems never enough. Mine is a preset 40 PSI. I have never heard an educated answer on what the plumbing in these units can handle in safe mode. I obviously do not want to start leaking water issues but would like to rinse the soap off my bald head. Should I use a fixed unit or adjustable
Thanks and happy travels

 

[coglesby]

GD told me 50-55psi

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Definitely use an adjustable regulator, you'll get much better flow rate. The non-adjustable ones restrict the flow a lot. I actually hooked up a flow meter and checked the fixed pressure regulators and the adjustable. The adjustable allows a much higher flow rate, with the all metal non-adjustable ones trailing, and the ones with the plastic grip even less. IMO the best way is to hook up the regulator to your home faucet/hose, and lower the pressure setting to where you want it. I have mine set to about 60 psi. Works well.

 

[Kevin2282]

I use an adjustable one set at 60psi. I have converted almost all of the flex hose to PEX to eliminate multiple leak points. PEX fittings and 1/2" ID flex hose were never designed to work together. I also put in a 80psi pressure relief valve on the hot water outlet side of the 6 gallon Atwood water heater. It's amazing how much of a pressure spike it puts on the system when it fires up. My internal system pressure gauge regularly get to 80psi as the water heater heats up. I usually have about a gallon water in a bucket for each week of camping.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

It's amazing how much of a pressure spike it puts on the system when it fires up.

Yes, the hot water heater really increases the static water line pressure

 

[Kevin2282]

Yes, the hot water heater really increases the static water line pressure

This is the pressure relief valve and PEX fitting that I used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MIJ16TK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Drop ear PEX fitting

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CC1854...lja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I usually have about a gallon water in a bucket for each week of camping.

Where did you place the prv.... Where you can place a bucket under it?

 

[Kevin2282]

Where did you place the prv.... Where you can place a bucket under it?

I put the PRV on the outlet feed from the water heater (Red Line). I put a plastic PEX valve on the bleed off side of the PRV incase it failed wide open. That way I could shut it and keep on using the water system. I also carry a spare PRV since they are relatively inexpensive. You can see the brass PRV in these photos.





I ran the PRV bleed off line (White Line) out the same hole as the low point drains to a 90 degree PEX fitting and then back to the sewer hose holders. At that point I put a 90 degree PEX fitting on the line and ran it to the left side of the trailer where I put another 90 PEX fitting to aim it straight down. The PEX line is zip tied to the side of the sewer hose holder. This allows me to put a 2.5 gallon Homer Bucket at the side of the trailer so I don't make a mud puddle.

 

[RV2600RB]

I use a 50-55psi high flow fixed regulator.
It’s an rv so I don’t expect residential water pressure. It sure beats the days of creek and water bottle showers I used to have when camping.
Rich

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I think I'll look into doing that.
What is the other brass valve? A check valve...Black rinse?

 

[Captcolour]

I switched from cheap or expensive adjustables to a high flow fixed 55 psi regulator. The adjustables with gauges don't seem to last much more than a year or two, whether cheap or expensive. I've had the best water pressure inside the rig with the high flow fixed one.

 

[Kevin2282]

I think I'll look into doing that.
What is the other brass valve? A check valve...Black rinse?

Yes, that is my black tank flush line. It is a Zurn double check valve. I was having trouble with the OEM air break leaking every time I flushed the tank out. It was buried in a wall behind the shower and completely unserviceable. I also use a back flow preventer on a dedicated hose. There is no chance of nasty stuff making its way back to hose bib.

https://a.co/d/67hVJB8

 

[downsc123]

I switched from cheap or expensive adjustables to a high flow fixed 55 psi regulator. The adjustables with gauges don't seem to last much more than a year or two, whether cheap or expensive. I've had the best water pressure inside the rig with the high flow fixed one.

Do you have a link to what you use - I agree that the adjustable ones with the gage don't last very long - just started using my 3rd in 5 years

 

[Hoopy Frood]

IME the adjustable ones work fine once you replace the poor OEM pressure gauges. I am still using the one I replaced the gauge on after 3 years. And forgetting to bring them in so they don't freeze will destroy one too.

 

[downsc123]

IME the adjustable ones work fine once you replace the poor OEM pressure gauges. I am still using the one I replaced the gauge on after 3 years. And forgetting to bring them in so they don't freeze will destroy one too.

that is a good idea - what gage did you swap out to?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

that is a good idea - what gage did you swap out to?

Just a cheap generic one off Amazon, I think it was around $10. Gycerin filled 0-100 psi. The original gauge was shot after about three usages. They are pretty poor quality.

 

[traveldawg]

Hello, I have a question, What water pressure can our Grand Design RV's handle, I run the small regulator prior to the nautilus but I find it seems never enough. Mine is a preset 40 PSI. I have never heard an educated answer on what the plumbing in these units can handle in safe mode. I obviously do not want to start leaking water issues but would like to rinse the soap off my bald head. Should I use a fixed unit or adjustable
Thanks and happy travels

View attachment 51151

I’ve been using a 3/4” house adjustable regulator with a gauge and it’s been set to 60 psi for a long time on multiple rigs.

Lots of threads on the forum about regulators and some point out good ones to use. If I were to replace mine I’d be looking for a Watts adjustable regulator with a pressure gauge. You can always find pipe adapters if needed to convert to hose connections if necessary.

I think the regulator should be the first thing on the parks water connection bib. It will save your hose from over pressure and bursting.

 

[JFF&KRN]

I use an adjustable one, have it set at about 50, hooked up to the hose bibb before anything else,.
Hose Bibb, pressure regulator, (45 or 90 depending on which way i need to point filter if needed), then filter, then hose to the rv.
if i attahced it correctly, this is the one off amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09JG8T8HN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[JFF&KRN]

oops, but to answer your question, not sure, but most of the componnets are pressure rated over 60PSI. I think 50 to 55 is good.

 

[WhittleBurner]

We were told years ago that the water is tested at 110or120 after they build them.