Adjustable Water Pressure Regulator

[GG1]

When adjusting the water pressure while hooked up in a campground do you adjust it with the water running or with the water off?

[Clifftall]

I adjust my Watts 263a with the pressure built up ( turn on and then turn off ). When the water is running the pressure goes down , so you can't get a proper reading.
Cliff

[Dan DeBruin]

X2, you need to measure it when air is out but water is off.

[Tony Lee]

Another way that works is to start off with the regulator handle wound out several turns.
Turn on the outside faucet and then turn on an interior faucet full to purge any air in the system and then reduce the flow at the inside faucet so water comes out the spout in a thin stream.

Then wind the regulator adjustment in until your gauge reads the desired pressure.
Turn the inside faucet off.

Then, provided the mains supply is "solid" with decent pipe sizes and low pressure drops, you should have reasonably constant pressure indicating on the gauge from zero flow to the specified full flow of the regulator.
Note, the apparent pressure inside the coach - if you could measure it - will still drop as the flow increases because of pressure drops inside the coach piping

[Ramzfan]

Do you have to go through that whole routine every time you move or hook up?

[Clifftall]

If you want to do it right. It takes about 6 seconds while you're hooking up the hose.
Cliff

[GG1]

Just curious, so whats the suggested pressure, I have spoken to some who do not use regulators, others in the business say in the coach 50-60lbs is ok, others never go over the pre set numbers on the cheaper regulators. I've been doing this since the 70's but never really tried to get optimum water pressure. I have been using the adjustable gauge for about 2 years.

[Clifftall]

I use 50-60.

Cliff

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

I use 50-60.

Cliff

Ditto here. I found that this is a very acceptable pressure for our use so I've set it and forgotten it. I do have gauges on the inlet and outlet of my Watts so I can give a quick check when I'm hooked up, but I never bother to readjust it when we move.

Rick

[Tony Lee]

Originally Posted by Ramzfan

Do you have to go through that whole routine every time you move or hook up?

No! Assuming a normal range of inlet pressures and a quality regulator of adequate flow capacity, it is pretty much a set once and forget exercise. Loosen the locknut, set the pressure and tighten the locknut. Over years the spring inside does tend to weaken a tad, but that is a very long term effect.
One thing I would suggest is fitting one of those conical wire strainers at the supply side of the regulator to prevent any pipeline scale or sludge messing things up but that is good practice anyway.

Only needs checking the pressure once in a blue moon, but of course if the regulator has a gauge on it, you can easy see if the system is OK every time you turn on the faucet at set up.

Reason I suggest setting it with a small flow is that most control systems are happier if they are not in a fully shut down mode so you will get a more accurate and more meaningful setting if the system is actually controlling at the time.

As for suggested pressure - Big advantage of a Watts unit is you get to have a choice. If 20psi gives you enough flow through the shower, then why go higher. Water heaters certainly don't enjoy 60psi. Save the planet one drop at a time.
The main limitation will be if you have a very fine undersink filter that really does need 45psi to get a decent flow through it once it starts to block up a bit.