Is it essential or just wise to buy one of those little thingys that regulates mains water into my van?
Which sort? Brass?
Does it connect to the caravan park tap or to the van input connection?
Thanks
Noel
Possum3 said
01:51 PM Oct 8, 2024
In most cases regulation devices are fitted at manufacture. As mains water is usually high pressure it is best not to initially turn supply tap to fully open. Start at a dribble and increase flow to suit by testing on board taps.
NoelB said
01:56 PM Oct 8, 2024
Thanks!
watsea said
04:10 PM Oct 8, 2024
Some town water supplies have very high pressure. Without a Pressure Reducing Valve, that pressure would be applied to the pipes and fittings within the van. The pressure is felt after the taps on the van are shut. Some of the pipe systems within vans may not be able to withstand that high pressure.
Many vans have a Pressure Reducing Valve very near to the town supply inlet by the manufacturer.
If not, a Pressure Reducing Valve could be retrofitted to the van or fitted to a pipe or hose supplying town water to the van.
I havent bother to check but I believe Pressure Reducing Valves or similar fittings can be purchased at hardware stores and fitted to a town water tap.
Dougwe said
04:09 PM Oct 9, 2024
G'day Noel,
For many, many years now, 13 in fact, when on mains water, I adjust pressure at the supply tap. Where I am as we speak, there is high towns pressure, so the tap is only on a little bit. That way not much pressure going into aluminum tent. There is enough pressure in aluminum tent though for a good shower, basin and sink, so all good. As I said, I have been doing this on and off for 13 years now. I am in the aluminum tent 24/7 all year round. I also have a twin filter system just before water enters inlet. My thinking there is, the water filters slowly through, so better filtering.
I usually turn main water tap on a little bit at a time and check inside van pressure and adjust as needed. All good from there. Sometimes it can be just the thickness of a bee's wing. (I cleaned that up)
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
laurieoz said
04:16 PM Oct 9, 2024
A Water regulator is needed
Does not matter how much the supply tap is turned on
When the taps in the caravan are turned off, does not matter how much the supply tap is turned on. The pressure will build up quickly to the maximum caravan park pressure.
Laurie
Whenarewethere said
04:38 PM Oct 9, 2024
Turning on a tap just a little, even only dripping, simply does not reduce pressure.
All you are doing is reducing the volume of the flow & pressure builds up over a longer period.
To reduce pressure you need a regulator & it will have more than enough flow at high volume. Get one from Reece Plumbing or similar.
Big Mal said
07:42 AM Oct 10, 2024
As mentioned your van should have one already fitted, they can fail but then your water pressure is often pretty ordinary, some PLV's have a non return valve fitted while others will have a NRV fitted in line nearby usually a small black John Guest fitting they are a must otherwise in most rigs when you use the pump the water will escape from the mains fill point ............................
My PLV failed a number of years ago so I removed the internals and fitted it back inline with a John Guest NRV fitted, its on the list to replace but hasn't happened yet.... rarely use parks so haven't bothered, the John Guest connections and lines are rated at 150psi and the odd times I use a park the water pressure is often pretty ordinary anyway and my hose connector seems to pop off if any sudden increase .....
Bunnings and other hardware store have PLV's, Neeta brass units often enough, same as house fittings just use the John Guest fitting off the original unit so you can couple them to your van lines.
Cupie said
10:16 AM Oct 10, 2024
I carry a PLV attached to a Tap connector in my 'Plumbing Bits Box' on the back of the van.
When I encounter a CP with strong water pressure, I fit it at the tap & connect the van to its outlet.
Perhaps it would be better practice to just use it in all cases.
Hi.
Is it essential or just wise to buy one of those little thingys that regulates mains water into my van?
Which sort? Brass?
Does it connect to the caravan park tap or to the van input connection?
Thanks
Noel
Thanks!
Many vans have a Pressure Reducing Valve very near to the town supply inlet by the manufacturer.
If not, a Pressure Reducing Valve could be retrofitted to the van or fitted to a pipe or hose supplying town water to the van.
I havent bother to check but I believe Pressure Reducing Valves or similar fittings can be purchased at hardware stores and fitted to a town water tap.
G'day Noel,

For many, many years now, 13 in fact, when on mains water, I adjust pressure at the supply tap. Where I am as we speak, there is high towns pressure, so the tap is only on a little bit. That way not much pressure going into aluminum tent. There is enough pressure in aluminum tent though for a good shower, basin and sink, so all good. As I said, I have been doing this on and off for 13 years now. I am in the aluminum tent 24/7 all year round. I also have a twin filter system just before water enters inlet. My thinking there is, the water filters slowly through, so better filtering.
I usually turn main water tap on a little bit at a time and check inside van pressure and adjust as needed. All good from there. Sometimes it can be just the thickness of a bee's wing. (I cleaned that up)
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Does not matter how much the supply tap is turned on
When the taps in the caravan are turned off, does not matter how much the supply tap is turned on. The pressure will build up quickly to the maximum caravan park pressure.
Laurie
Turning on a tap just a little, even only dripping, simply does not reduce pressure.
All you are doing is reducing the volume of the flow & pressure builds up over a longer period.
To reduce pressure you need a regulator & it will have more than enough flow at high volume. Get one from Reece Plumbing or similar.
My PLV failed a number of years ago so I removed the internals and fitted it back inline with a John Guest NRV fitted, its on the list to replace but hasn't happened yet.... rarely use parks so haven't bothered, the John Guest connections and lines are rated at 150psi and the odd times I use a park the water pressure is often pretty ordinary anyway and my hose connector seems to pop off if any sudden increase .....
Bunnings and other hardware store have PLV's, Neeta brass units often enough, same as house fittings just use the John Guest fitting off the original unit so you can couple them to your van lines.
I carry a PLV attached to a Tap connector in my 'Plumbing Bits Box' on the back of the van.
When I encounter a CP with strong water pressure, I fit it at the tap & connect the van to its outlet.
Perhaps it would be better practice to just use it in all cases.