PRV Recommendations

[BlueSkyHigh]

I started a thread a while back regarding noises that I could hear and feel in the home's plumbing system after running water and shutting it off and, rather than resurrect the old post, I will start a new one.

I've isolated the noise to where it is coming from and that is the PRV. I think the sound is called a "harmonic". I can hear and feel the noise when I put my hand on the PRV that is currently a Shark "Bite" model.

I have been searching on the internet and came across a company and a model of PRV that looks attractive. It is the WATTS LF25AUB in one of its various configurations. The reason I find this particular model attractive is because it is maintainable. The inlet screen can be taken out and cleaned and replaced and the working parts of the valve can also be replaced if necessary. Additionally, the valve has a port for installing a pressure gauge into the system permanently.

Is this a good choice going forward or is the fact that the valve is maintainable not really important? Are there any other brands that you can recommend other than WATTS?

Thank you!

 

[MicEd69]

There are rebuild kits for various Pressure Regulating Valves, but based on personal experience and from what others have said on this site, they aren't always successful. But Watts is a good valve company, and that model is a pretty standard valve of good quality.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Thanks MicEd69! The one currently in the system is a Cash Acme EB-45. Anything “Acme” makes me think Wile E. Coyote and bad things.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Before I go off half-cocked and purchase the wrong thing, can someone please identify the type of connections on the currently installed PRV. Are there unions here or simply SharkBite-type connections? Any recommendations as to whether to stay with SharkBite or move to something else?

 

[GReynolds929]

The two hex nuts on either side of the PRV are union nuts.

 

[MicEd69]

Before I go off half-cocked and purchase the wrong thing, can someone please identify the type of connections on the currently installed PRV. Are their unions here or simply SharkBite-type connections? Any recommendations as to whether to say with SharkBite or move to something else?

View attachment 48039

Like GReynolds969 said, the two nuts on either side of the PRV are union nuts, but they are specific to the PRV. They cannot be used to install anything except for an identical PRV. And the other end of those union nuts are SharkBite connections, so those will have to be removed to install a PRV from a different manufacturer. You will need to measure your new PRV to see how you can fit it into the available space. With the other existing SharkBite fittings so close, you cannot use solder connections, so I think you are limited to SharkBite or ProPress fittings for the new PRV.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Thanks gents. I appreciate the feedback and will proceed accordingly.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

One other follow up question if I may: Is there enough copper going vertically on either side of the currently installed PRV to allow for safely moving to sweated connections rather than SharkBite without damaging the SharkBites on the shut off valve on the left and the other connections to the house on the right? Or would you recommend leaving well enough alone and simply replace the PRV with SharkBite-type connections?

(I wonder why unions are manufacturer specific and not some sort of standardized design? I guess I know the answer to that already.......)