Plumbing air pressure test?
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Topic: Plumbing air pressure test?
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Subject: Plumbing air pressure test?
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2017 at 4:45pm
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Okay folks. Who has done this? Pressurize the system with air and see how long it lasts. Best way to test for leaks without water everywhere. What is the Pod setup for for pressure? And how long should it hold? I know the house spec's, but what are the Pod spec's? You know.... Please share.. I'm searching everywhere on the internet and haven't learned.. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2017 at 5:49pm
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Interesting test. Personally I would not use more than 30-40 lbs. That's sufficient to find a leak and not harm any seals. 30 lbs is what most agree is recommended for air pressurization winterization. I have never done this. Recommended water pressure is not far above this. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2017 at 9:08pm
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I would agree with Mike as far as not using more than 30 - 40 psi, that should be sufficient. For the past 6 years I have used 60 - 80 psi when blowing out my water lines for winterizing, takes less than 1 minute to go through it all AND I always keep at least one line open when doing this.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 8:42am
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Jato,
Good to know, I may increase mine a bit, slow going at 30 psi. Everything I read said 30, so I have been using that. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 10:14am
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Be careful when doing an air pressure test
From Charlotte Pipe, Air Testing of Plumbing Piping Systems, Technical Bulletin #15811 “Air testing – of any piping system – is not a system capability issue; it is a life-safety issue. A pipe segment withstands air pressure in exactly the same manner as it withstands hydrostatic pressure; the physics don’t change. Water is not compressible and cannot store energy through compression, so under these scenarios nothing threatening will occur. Air is compressible and will store energy under compression which will release explosively, possibly throwing shards of pipe, test plugs, fittings or debris.” ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 10:18am
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I think my pressure regulator I use is rated for 50 psi. Is that something I should be concerned about? I have plenty of flow. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 11:18am
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"I think my pressure regulator I use is rated for 50 psi."
Are you talking about your water pressure regulator? My water pressure regulator is also set to 50 PSI. The safety issue is when you use air to pressure something ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 3:49pm
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Thanks folks! Standards are very close to household. 35-45psi is all you require for household, 30psi sounds about right. If no one had spoken up I was headed for 25psi. Though I still need to get the unit and read the system setting pressure. Typically less that half is sufficient and hold for an hour. 10% loss in that time frame is still fine. As an earlier post stated, there are differences between hydraulic and pneumatic pressures. Our plumbing system is built for hydraulic. So some loss is assumed and it's new, not all seals ave been 'wet' enough for proper sealing. If pressure drops quickly and goes low fast.. Houston, we got a problem here! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 4:06pm
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I have an adjustable water regulator, think most are preset 45-50, which is ok. Those not adjustable are at 45 I think. I maintain my pancake air compressor as close to 30 when doing winterization. That works. I have never air pressurized with all closed. Currently have no water leaks. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 4:22pm
Thank you! Good info. Raises a question though... What is the water pressure at most campgrounds? Input from my house will be well over 45.. You know the tank spec's? Wondering if I should place a regulator on the water inlet. Do plan on a filter there.. Wouldn't be that hard to do.. I realize the tank pump regulates to the onboard plumbing, curious about pressure to the tank and it's rating? ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 5:11pm
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Most use a regulator. They are inexpensive and easily put in line to the water inlet. I don't know that they are needed in most campgrounds but they don't hurt.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 6:13pm
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Always either check CG water pressure and/or use a regulator. I have seen CG pressure as high as 100psi. The Fairview WR-RV55 is a good one in that it permits high flow rate for showers while limiting pressure to 55psi.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 7:32pm
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Great point brought forward JandL differentiating between hydraulic and air pressure. I have just finished blowing out irrigation lines on 3 golf courses over the last 3 days and while we maintain 120 - 125 lbs of water pressure in the lines during the summer using the 375 CFM air compressor we may get up to 36 - 38 lbs air pressure in those same lines while blowing out/purging water out of the lines. When water is purged and air comes out of the sprinkler heads, the sound is something like a jet ready for take-off. This is especially true at the end when we open a 2" line to let the air out quickly so we can disconnect the hose, this takes about 12-15 minutes. When the air comes out you better have on some really good ear protection otherwise you will end of going deaf or ruining your hearing, the sound of the air escaping is deafening.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |