With my pressure regulator (located after a carbon filter and water softener, 3/8" John Guest fittings and hose) all the way open, I'm only getting around 20psi. The manufacturer (Wega) asks for 30psi. I'm confused because water pressure has always seemed above normal at this house (even though the pipes are galvanized for the most part).

Also, the pressure regulator is upside down..I'm guessing that it doesn't effect the gauge though.

Any ideas...I'm confused.

Steve
Walla Walla

Any resolution?

Unless the carbon filter is so clogged (or so extra-fine - what micron size filter is it?) that it is blocking water flow almost entirely, or there is some other obstruction in the line, that doesn't make much sense.

Check to make sure that any fittings you have connected are not too long as to extend into the filter, softener, regulator etc that they actually hit something inside and obstruct water flow. I had that happen once when a shop sold me a regulator...they attached a brass connector to add a gauge as well, but the male threaded end of the brass fitting screwed into the female regulator fitting too far so that the water flow was completely obstructed.

Even if something was completely blocked though...the pressure would still balance out higher I would think.

Grant

You don't say if things were working fine before and this is a recent development. I have a Rayne water softening system on the exterior of the house, and an Everpure drinking waterfilter under the sink cabinet just before the regulator and gauge.

About 2 months after adding the softening system I had to replace the less than a year old Everpure cartridge because it had reduced my water pressure down to about 17 psi from 55. I guess the salt from the softener clogged it and shortened the cartridge's life. I'm waiting to see how this one lasts. After 2 months the flow has slowed ever so slightly.

Another thing to check is that some regulator's have a stop at around 20 psi meaning they will only go that high and then have a shut-off system if the pressure raises above that. Check out this web page that details shut-off points for some regulators http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml