Garret

Pressure and flow are the potential problem areas in the motorhome water supply system. Good motorhome water regulators can help in both areas.

The two complaints most heard about the water system in an motorhome are actually opposites. Some people complain that the water pressure is too low and they can not even get a decent shower. Other people complain that the water pressure is too high leading to leaks and plumbing problems within the motorhome. Both of these problems can be solved to some degree with a simple and inexpensive device installed in your water line.

It is important to understand the difference between flow and water pressure. Flow is the measurement of the volume of water that passes a certain point in the system. Pressure is a measurement of the static pressure built up inside the system when no flow is taking place. It is true that these two measurements are related to some degree. When the pressure is higher the flow is usually greater, but this is not always the case. Water pressure that gets too high can cause failure of the water system piping.

The pressure inside an motorhome water system is usually tested during installation to withstand 100 psi of water pressure. However, the manufacturers recommend that the pressure by maintained between 40-60 psi on most units. The normal household water pressure is about 65 psi and so this is why the motorhome shower does not seem to be equaling the home shower.

The motorhome water regulator is a small valve that is placed inline on the water system to protect the system from excess pressure. The better motorhome water regulators can be adjusted for any water pressure, usually between 0-60 to stay in line with manufacturer recommendations. The simple non-adjustable regulators cost less then $12 and are most commonly set at around 55 psi. A good adjustable motorhome water regulator costs around $60. Although the 0-60 psi range is the most common, there are some available to bring the pressure up to 65 psi. This is more like your home shower system.

There are other ways of increasing flow within the water system. Checking your hoses for kinks and leaks and using wide canister full flow filters are two examples that can help maintain flow. The job of the motorhome water regulator is to protect the system from excess pressure, but it also helps maintain good flow without risk of damage to the water system. If your motorhome is not equipped with a good adjustable water regulator, it might be a wise upgrade to consider.

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