water pressure and flow

the water pressure gauge always say around 70psi.
(got a second gauge - same result)
so we wanted to turn it down (new water heater does not like 70)
so i adjusted the bolt on the top.
it adjusted the water flow to a trickle
but the water pressure is still 70ish.
does this make sense to you experts?
Watts think the water at the bottom is condensation- but i wonder...
no thermal expansion tank - have these things on top the WH
thanks all

Wipe it down and see if you see any water seeping out. How long has it been in there?

SHEPLMBR said:

Wipe it down and see if you see any water seeping out. How long has it been in there?

Click to expand...

we wipe it away every few months
thanks

PS are or were you a plumber? the main questions is baffling to me

Yes I was. and when you adjusted it, did you adjust the nut in or out?

SHEPLMBR said:

Yes I was. and when you adjusted it, did you adjust the nut in or out?

Click to expand...

I adjusted the bolt outwards.
but it has been at different amounts - always around 70psi - but twice we have adjusted it till the water was just a trickle - still 70psi
thanks

It might be a bad prv

SHEPLMBR said:

It might be a bad prv

Click to expand...

thanks
wish there was some certainty

I would start there. They make re-build kits for those. How long has this particular one been in?