Broken AWS Pressure Regulator

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, Bobby. This user is located in Atlanta, GA Zone 7B. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

I agree with Donald..I use a timer too(costs about $25.00) and only activate my EB watering to about 20 Minutes each day.Have had no trouble as my AWS has worked great for years..

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on May 14, 2013.

What I find confusing is every regulator I've looked at says it's not to be kept under constant pressure. So, with the AWS, the supply is always on, therefore downstream devices are under constant pressure. I'd like to know how the designers of the AWS can explain this situation.

That's probably why it breaks and only lasts for one season.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, morganmac. This user is located in NW Georgia, Zone 7b. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

I would love to use a timer, but unfortunately I don't have an exterior outlet anywhere close to my spigot.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, morganmac. This user is located in NW Georgia, Zone 7b. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.
I would love to use a timer, but unfortunately I don't have an exterior outlet anywhere close to my spigot.

Do you mean an electrical outlet? The timers I use for my drip system for my raised beds run on batteries. One set of AA batteries lasts over a year. I get the ones that Lowe's or Home Depot sells made by Orbit.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, morganmac. This user is located in NW Georgia, Zone 7b. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Really? It makes me nervous to have the plants' survival depend on batteries. Then again, we could have a power outage and reset the timer that way, so why not? I'll look into it. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, morganmac. This user is located in NW Georgia, Zone 7b. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Really? It makes me nervous to have the plants' survival depend on batteries. Then again, we could have a power outage and reset the timer that way, so why not? I'll look into it. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Years ago BEB (Before Earth Box), I used a timer on my soaker hose system. It worked just fine for years. The only caveat is to keep the timer out of direct sun, and don't get it wet (even if it says it's waterproof). After I fried a timer by letting it get rained on, I now slit a freezer bag and wrap/tape it around the timer. It will look like a 'skirt' with access from the bottom. Any rain will run off the bag, keeping the timer dry.

I would still like to know if there's any sense to putting a 25 psi regulator after the timer to lower the pressure going to the filter, then the AWS regulator(s).

We tend to only look at the psi ratings, but there's also flow rates (min/max) to consider. Some devices don't function if the flow rate is too low or too high. I'd like to know more about this aspect when it comes to selecting components. Anyone care to shed some light on this?

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

The regulator keeps the water pressure form blasting the system.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on May 14, 2013.

What I find confusing is every regulator I've looked at says it's not to be kept under constant pressure. So, with the AWS, the supply is always on, therefore downstream devices are under constant pressure. I'd like to know how the designers of the AWS can explain this situation.

That's probably why it breaks and only lasts for one season.

Most users have gotten years out of their systems, we have asked to get a few faulty regulators back so our mfg can take a look at them. Our regulator was designed by the same mfg as the AWS, specifically for this application, so I don't think the "don't keep under constant  pressure" rule applies.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

The regulator keeps the water pressure form blasting the system.

True, but what protects the regulator from getting blasted? I may try Mickie's idea of getting another pressure reducer to put upstream to the regulator, to help protect it. I think the Watts brass one is ok to have under constant pressure.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

True, but what protects the regulator from getting blasted? I may try Mickie's idea of getting another pressure reducer to put upstream to the regulator, to help protect it. I think the Watts brass one is ok to have under constant pressure.

Whatever device you have first in the string of devices is going to have full pressure on it. 

What is the point of having a pressure reducer ahead of a pressure reducer to reduce pressure on the second pressure reducer?

(Say that fast 3 times)

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on May 15, 2013.

Whatever device you have first in the string of devices is going to have full pressure on it. 

What is the point of having a pressure reducer ahead of a pressure reducer to reduce pressure on the second pressure reducer?

The EB pressure reducer seems to be a little delicate and needs a little help it seems. Also, it is a part that you just can't do without. Also, it is hard to obtain. When you need it and don't have it, you may be without it for a while if the EB store is out of them. Even if they are in stock when EB is very busy it can take up to a week to fulfill an order, then it takes another week for FedEx Ground to get it from PA to AZ. So I think I might try Mickie's suggestion as I see little downside to it. Kind of like a belt and suspenders kind of thing.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, Jerz. This user is located in Zone 7 - Suwanee, GA. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.

I put a 30psi pressure regulator before my filters and then the aws pressure regulator... So with lowering the pressure to 30psi to the filters and the aws regulator I'm *hoping* I don't run into issues like others have because not having to worry about watering makes gardening so easy... Can't wait for the first crop!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on May 16, 2013.

Speaking of faulty regulators, if any of you have them, and haven't tinkered with it....we need a couple more to look at, please message me. I will be glad to send you a replacement and the prepaid postage to return one to us.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, jeffsui. This was originally posted on June 5, 2013.

An update - (as i started this thread).  So far my regulator (which i took apart a few times) seems to be working fine.  When i 1st turn on the hose it "pees" a little bit out the hole and then it seems as the pressure equalizes the drips and water stop.