Watts LF25AUB-Z3 Series 1-1/2" Lead-Free Cast Copper Silicon Alloy Water Pressure Reducing Valve, NPT Female Union x NPT Female Outlet, Polymer Seat, Adjustable Pressure 25 to 75 psi, Maximum 300 psi

My house was built in 1966 and had a Watts 3/4" U5B series pressure reducing valve. According to the Watts website, the U5B is a higher performance/capacity model than this LF25AUB-Z3 3/4", and comparing the charts on the volume @pressure, there does appear to be a difference, but it looked small at the pressures that represent my operating environment. My old U5B was no longer regulating pressure, and so everything in my house was being subjected to 120psi that comes off my street. This is relatively close to the 150psi safety release on the hotwater tank and it was wreaking havoc with anything less than contractor grade garden hoses (blowing them apart after a few months in service). I became concerned that the high pressure might also destroy a toilet/sink supply line and in the worst case, flood the house while we were gone.I tried to get a repair kit for my U5B and by all accounts I ordered the right kit, but none of the parts fit. Maybe someone accidentally swapped the parts bags between two kits while comparing, or maybe the U5B I had was so old that the design had changed a bit. For whatever reason, the bell housing dimensions on my U5B did not match the dimensions specs noted by Watts. Even though "3/4" was clearly forged in the side of the valve and the sticker on it clearly read U5B. Anyway, I don't know if the old valve was Lead-Free or not. So I decided it was worth it to just order a new valve. The direct modern replacement for the U5B is going for around $300 +/-, depending on your source, and Amazon didn't have any sources.But the LF25AUB-Z3 3/4" was $80 shipped to my door. So I took a chance and ordered it. Installation was a breeze, turned off the main supply, opened a sink to bleed the pressure off the system, shut off the hot water heater, then just backed off the old unit and put the new one in. The new one is maybe 3/16" shorter in overall length, but there is plenty of slack/give in the copper pipes I have to allow for some differences in size.It's amazing the difference this has made for my appliances and what not. We used to get pretty bad water-hammer, installing arresters helped, but did not eliminate. With the new pressure reducing valve in place there is no more water hammer, my automatic icemaker is working clog-free, and the refrigerator door water dispenser works much better. I may miss the 120psi when it comes to working outside, but so far I love the new pressure and there is room to turn it up a bit. The valve comes factory preset to 50psi and can be adjusted up to 75psi. I don't recall the lower limit. Oh, and I took the old valve apart. To my surprise the diaphragm was perfectly intact. What had failed was the bypass valve. It appears to have rotted/worn away small enough to come apart and it got trapped by the screen. And another interesting fact was that I'm quite sure that screen had never been checked in the 49ish years it had been in service and it was perfectly clean, pretty cool.

Works great to keep your pressures safe do not let the water pressure get too high and cause damage. Street pressure can surge or be set too high so you small lines like the ice maker. dish washer may start to seep that can cause a lot of hidden damage that you do not know about until its too late. This is very well made tp last and easy to adjust.

Works just as intended. Dialed it into the set pressure and it works. Easy to install with npt fittings.

After several failed irrigation valves, this heavy duty valve has held up to our high pressure irrigation system that is gravity fed. No leaks and no problems after a year of use. The price was cheaper here than anywhere in town as well.

This is not a bad review for this valve. It's probably perfectly suitable for a new installation.If you are replacing an existing 3/4" Zurn Watkins 600XL be forewarned that the Watts valve body has slightly different dimensions and the inlet threads do not seem to match up with an already-installed Watts union nut. So the Watts will not simply slip-in to the Zurn-Watkins plumbing, you'll need to perform some plumbing alterations.I don't know if this pressure reducing valve is of high quality, because I returned it. Deducted one star because the lack of compatibility could have been made clear in the manufacturer's description.

Works great exact replacement

Great product, easy to instll, I always keep a spare

Exact fit for my old valve that had our water pressure at 90 psi which dropped to 20 psi as soon as any faucet was running. The Amazon price is half retail. Saved several hundred $$ installation fee by doing it myself. The pressure is factory set to 50 psi which seems low. Adjustable so I'll be cranking it up to 70 psi. Strongly encourage that you get the Watts water pressure gauge which just connects to an outdoor water faucet: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YMU8JCUPDATE: I just increased the factory set 50 psi to 70 psi and it made a significant difference. At 50 psi it feels under pressured, like not enough water is flowing, especially in the shower. 70 psi puts out 20% more water and it really feels good in the shower. You just have to turn the pressure adjustment bolt that sticks out from the top of the valve clockwise until the pressure reads correctly. I've read that normal residential plumbing appliances are designed for a maximum of 80 psi. Above that could damage them.