Adding incoming water pressure gauge in line

[mswanson]

Reading about the pre-infusion and how the incoming water pressure matters, I had an idea I wanted to run past you guys.

I have the typical softener/ filter setup, and after the filter I have a pressure regulator, and after that I have a shut off valve.

I was wondering if there is any value in adding a tee and the pressure gauge before the shut off valve. So it looks like this:

Softener -> filter -> pressure regulator -> tee -> shutoff -> to S1
-> shutoff -> pressure gauge

The idea that I wouldn't have to keep disconnecting plumbing in order to test the pressure, I would just have to reverse the shutfoffs (after shutting down the machine).

Or, perhaps the shutoff after the tee to the pressure gauge is not needed. Then I could monitor and adjust the pressure of the system on-the-fly.

Or is this all over-engineering, as setting the pressure is something that is only done once...

THanks.

[MDL]

My pressure regulator (bought from Chris along with the softening system) has a pressure gauge on it that reads the output. No plumbing or valves required. I never even considered having a regulator without a gauge to see where I was setting the regulation...

[slo]

I also have a pressure guage mounted downstream of the regulator. I like to know the exact pressure coming in. You really do not need one but it is noice to have.

Also, typically the filter is installed upstream of the softener device. This is to protect the softener device against stuff that the filter would catch.

[JohnB]

Also, typically the filter is installed upstream of the softener device. This is to protect the softener device against stuff that the filter would catch.

Are you thinking of a sediment filter? The carbon filter we all use is always installed after the softener cartridge.

[chas]

Maybe you can actually purchase a true pressure regulator but the one that Chris sells really ought to be called a pressure reducer. I had to pull mine apart when I first received it to see if I could figure out why it wasn't working. The only part inside is a dome shaped metal disk that seals the top of a tunnel the water passes through from input to output. The plastic screw just pushes the dome down into the "tunnel" to restrict the flow.

To me the term regulator implies an active process that maintains a set pressure. These devices don't do that.

BTW: The reason mine didn't work was that the CC tech that added the John Guest fittings screwed one of them in so far that it prevented the screw from pushing down on the dome.

[slo]

Also, typically the filter is installed upstream of the softener device. This is to protect the softener device against stuff that the filter would catch.

Are you thinking of a sediment filter? The carbon filter we all use is always installed after the softener cartridge.

Yes I meant the "sediment" filter. This is a typical installation for home softening system. These do not always have a carbon filter in addition. For a cartridge softener it probably does not make much of a difference but for installation using a rechargeable softener, it is very important to have a pre-filtering device otherwise a lot of stuff may accumulate... Carbon filtering is just one more step (that I forgot about), although I have it.

[mswanson]

I have the the pressure regulator shown at the bottom of this page: http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/hom ... ngfittings

I called chris coffee and they said their pressure gauges are plumbed in-line which kind of makes this whole thread about needing a tee moot. From the picture it looked like it was a terminal connection. They also mentioned they set their pressure regulators at about 25 psi. Thus i didn't think I needed to measure the pressure when i first installed my machine. But with this pre-infusion, I was thinking that i might want to change it...

Chas, I didn't know that's how the pressure regulator they sold works. From how it's been explained to me, reducing the size of the opening does not always reduce the pressure. I have very high pressure city water. I can't remember for sure, but when it was measured for my irrigation system, I believe I had over 65 for pressure.

[JohnB]

If you've got a 65psi main pressure set your regulator to give the S1 3 bar if you want to get the most out of your pre infusion.

[mswanson]

Just to make sure, 3 bar (~45 psi) incoming water line pressure? Has nothing to do with the group gauge on the machine...

[JohnB]

Maybe you can actually purchase a true pressure regulator but the one that Chris sells really ought to be called a pressure reducer. I had to pull mine apart when I first received it to see if I could figure out why it wasn't working. The only part inside is a dome shaped metal disk that seals the top of a tunnel the water passes through from input to output. The plastic screw just pushes the dome down into the "tunnel" to restrict the flow.

To me the term regulator implies an active process that maintains a set pressure. These devices don't do that.

Actually that is exactly what it does do. That metal disc is just the face of a rubber diaphram which pushes on a small metal rod. My line pressure cycles between 40-60 psi & if I set the regulator to 38 psi that is where the water pressure feeding the machine stays no matter what my line pressure is doing.

[JohnB]

Just to make sure, 3 bar (~45 psi) incoming water line pressure? Has nothing to do with the group gauge on the machine...

42-45 psi should be sufficient & that is what your group pressure gauge should read when the machine is idle. If you previously had the line pressure set lower you will have to readjust your group pressure back down to your previous setting (9b?) using the adjustment on your pump.