I think that my water pump is coming on a bit sooner than it used to, although it is not really bad (perhaps every 20 seconds when water is running). Nevertheless, I decided to check the pressure in the accumulator tank. I have 4 different pressure gauges (stick, aneroid and digital) and not one of them would activate the Shraeder valve. I only have about 2 1/2" clearance from the end of the valve to the wall of the compartment, so my aneroid won't fit. I am attaching a picture of the clearance and the blue cover over the valve. Yes, I did remove the blue cap before trying to check the pressure ;D Is there a special pressure gauge that is supposed to be used? Or, can it only be tested when tank is removed and out of the compartment? Any ideas?
Don,
Is it possible that all of the air has been depleted in the bladder and the bladder doesn't have enough volume left to make the gauges even register? Or possibly the Schraeder valve is defective and simply won't depress to provide a reading?
Can you try putting just a bit of air into the bladder and then see if you can get a reading?
I've had pressure maintenance tanks squirt water at me but, unless the bladder is totally void of air or water, it should either give you air or, when defective, water.
Neal
I plan to be in NAC on June 24. I'll bring a gauge with a hose and small ball style head on the end of the hose. The gauge is a high quality gauge that measures 0-60 psi. It should work great. I use it for the motorcycle tires, car tires, and the accumulator tank.
You may be able to get a similar gauge at an auto supply. I bought mine on line. Amazon.com: longacre tire pressure gauge (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=longacre+tire+pressure+gauge&sprefix=longacre%2Caps%2C614)
Remember to check the pressure with the pump off and the system open (turn on faucets).
Don, When depressed the Schrader valve should pass either water or air. Try that first, if neither I would suspect that the Schrader valve is either too far in the fitting or is corroded and frozen up. Depress it with a small screwdriver to see what you get.
Gary B