Awhile back I replaced the water pump in our rig. We now have an Aqua Jet II (55-Aqua Jet-ARV). I chose to leave the accumulator in the system in that it was working just fine. Still is. It's a Flojet model 20799. The tank indicates that the proper pressure is 3 psi < the pump's "switch on" pressure. Anyhow, I wrote Aquatec to find out what my pump's switch on pressure is. Here's their response for those of you that might have the same question or are trying to decide whether to retain your accumulator.
I guess I'll remove ours one of these days, probably when the pump won't shut off!
jor
Hmmm... there ought to be a fix for this that would keep the accumulator in the system. I really like having that accumulator because at night you can flush the toilet without having the pump come on and wake someone up.
Perhaps a relief valve?
Craig
??? A properly installed functional accumulator doesn't keep the pressure from reaching the "turn off" point. I don't understand the recommendation.
The accumulator is generally set to a pressure near the "turn on" point. Is the 42 psi the "turn on" or "turn off" point? I did not find the values in the manual for the Aquajet.
Our old pump was set to turn on at about 25 psi. I set the accumulator pressure to that value with the water system open. All worked well and as expected. When I installed the Aquajet ES, I left everything set the same and have been pleased with the results.
I just installed an ShurFlo 4008 since my old accumulator became waterlogged. Yes I installed it without Steve Cooke or Dave Abel's help. They weren't here and I couldn't find anyone else to Tom Sawyer into doing it.
I thought I would save some money by eliminating the accumulator tank but now that I have the 4008 installed, I prefer a system with the tank so I bought a new accumulator yesterday. According to the pump data sheet, the new pump comes on at 40 psi and shuts off at 62 psi. According to the new accumulator tank, the pressure of the tank must be at least 2 pounds lower than the turn on point, 40 psi in our case, so the tank pressure should be less than 38 psi.
The only problem I have completing the re-installation of the new tank is that I put one of the slip on, O ring type plugs on the end of the gray tubing and I can't get it off. I guess it is like the Shark Bite type fittings but it was designed for the old gray pipe. How do you get that type of fitting off? I really don't want to have to cut and replumb the tank.
Kent, If it is a Sharkbite they make a tool to remove it. It looks like a little horseshoe, it depresses the collar and then it will come off the pipe. If a Watts type you screw the collar back and depress the ring and it will come off.
Gary B
Gary, thanks a lot. Can I get the tool from Home Depot?
JD, it's the turn on pressure. I wrote them because they did not include it in the documentation. Yesterday I set my accumulator pressure to about 39 or so according to the label on the accumulator (3 psi less than turn on). Before I did that it had been about 50 psi and everything seemed to operate normally. I'm going to leave the accumulator in until it fails.
jor
Kent, The little tool is usually on cards right near the fittings. If you drive to GA I'll lert you use mine. :) The tool is called a disconnect clip.
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Gary B
Howdy Huck (Kent),
Really? You worked on your water system? LOL !!! I'm glad it went well..
I'm sure Dick S is like me and wants to know what caulking you used??
Hope all is well, TTYL, Dave A
Thanks to all for updates on "turn on"/"turn off" pressures. I plan to measure the pressures on our new pump with a gauge and set the accumulator appropriately for our system. It's working now. If things go well, I won't "fix it until it doesn't work right any more." :D
I have an Aquajet ES which was recently installed. The advertising at RV Water Filter Store: Standard Filter Canisters for Whole RV (http://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/Pumps.htm) claims 3.5 gpm at 65 psi. I just measured pressures at the "air pressure fill" end of the accumulator. I used a Longacre Racing brand dial gauge with a range of 0-60 psi. I measured a "turn on" pressure of 32 psi. I found the "turn off" pressure to be 58 psi. It set the base pressure of the accumulator to 32 psi. Current ambient temperature is about 94F. The base pressure of the accumulator will drop a bit at lower ambient temperatures.