Okay, all you guru's out there! I have finally decided to add an accumulator to our pump. DW is not happy with the noise the pump makes when we are off grid. So, my question is this; should I add the accumulator in front of the little pump filter or after it? Photos would help as well. I have a brand new one in hand now!
Thanks in advance!
The pump filter should be on the intake side of the pump. The accumulator goes after the pump.
Thank you Chuck! Perfect. Will be heading to HD or Lowe's in the morning and find the flexible hoses to make this work!
Joe,I added this one and it screwed directly onto the water pump. It works good.
Amazon.com: Shurflo 181-201 Accumulator Tank - Bladder-Type Pressure Storage... (https://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-181-201-ACCUMULATOR-TANK/dp/B00E5UULBO/ref=sr_1_7?crid=4INUKWPRPLRM&dchild=1&keywords=rv+accumulator+tank&qid=1608603947&sprefix=rv+accum%2Caps%2C368&sr=8-7)
Just a note: the accumulator can be connected anywhere in the cold water system. The water pump compartment on many coaches is very crowded. Think about the possibility of teeing the accumulator into the cold pipe under one of the sinks. This allows more working room in the water pump area, AND puts the accumulator in a place where it is less likely to freeze!
I moved mine from the water pump bay to the (unused) back corner of the cabinet under the bathroom sink.
Water Pump Accumulator Tank (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=30068.msg258043#msg258043)
Here's a photo of mine. I put it in the same place as the original but I like Chuck's idea of locating it elsewhere. Never thought of that!
Come to think of it, with a 320 you've got a lot more room so not much gained relocating it.
jor
Mark, that is the one I purchased off of Amazon! Awesome!
Chuck, that is a great idea, as I don't have much room where the pump is located. Don't have much under the sink as well, but the commode room cabinet may be the cats meow! Thanks for the tip!
Thank you Jor, that is where I was going to mount it, but thinking otherwise now! Appreciate the photo as well!
Joe, you should have enough room where your pump is to get it in that space. The accumulator you got is small but it will keep the pump from running all the time. The bigger the accumulator the longer between run times but it also takes a bit longer to build pressure back up and the pump to shut off.
Ours is a FloJet with a 1 gallon accumulator tank. Inboard side shown in picture.
Were ever you mount try to leave the air service port accessible for checking in the future and a shut of valve in case of failure. Anywhere in the cold water side will work, some noise may transmit during use of water movement in lines. Bigger accumulators are like a bigger flywheel. As our fat coach gets fatter, your not alone. Great project.
Scott
We added a 2 gallon accumulator just above the water pump, really like it , many times we use water and the pump doesn't run.
What did you do to your coach today VIII (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=36854.msg370781#msg370781)
Bill, I had looked at moving the accumulator up above and your installation looks great. I know I have room up there and want to install the See Level system as well, so a perfect time to do so! Thanks for the photos!
Roger, I was kinda shocked when I opened the package yesterday. It is small but hopefully will solve our issue with pump cycle every time you call for water! Even ice maker on our fridge! Thanks for your feedback!
Just an idea,we had one and removed it,less connections,less leaks,you will still hear the pump,why not just shut the pump off
and turn it on when you need it.
Don't expect the addition of the (small) accumulator to work magic. The accumulator simply changes the
timing of water pump activity.
Without the pressure tank, the pump must run every time you open a tap. BUT, it only runs as long as the tap is open, then shuts off.
With a pressure tank, the pump does not run as often. In some cases, like for instance when your ice maker requests a refill, it may not run at all. BUT, when it does finally come on it will run for a longer period because it has to recharge the pressure tank. How long it runs is a direct function of the size (capacity) of the pressure tank. Like Roger said, the bigger the tank the longer the interval between pump runs.
It just depends on which behavior is more desirable to you. Some people (like the DW and I) are irritated by the short brief pump runs, and prefer the pump action with the accumulator in place. Other people are not bothered at all by the pump clicking on and off with every water request. Those people don't need or want a pressure tank.
Different strokes for different folks!
Whether you have a accumulator or not, it is still a good idea to "shut the pump off and turn it on when you need it". If you train every member of your crew to do this, the likelihood of a flood from a broken pipe is greatly reduced. Especially at night, and
anytime you leave the coach, always turn off your water pump. Cheap insurance against expensive damage!
A loud pump will be better made softer with flexible in & out hose and a cushioned base. Accumulator can also help low water flow
Don't ever forget to turn off the pump. There is a simple solution.
Water Pump Timer Automatically Switches Pump Off (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=30564.0)
And if you have a latching relay to turn on power to the pump and to the indictor light it may be cheaper to replace the latching relay with another one that has a built-in timer function that will also release the relay latch after the time you set If you don't, you could add one.
This one is 20% off and free shipping at Amazon, $27.
GAEYAELE 1PCS GRT8-M 16A Multifunction Time Relay with 10 Function Choices... (https://amazon.com/GAEYAELE-Multifunction-Function-Choices-DC12V-240V/dp/B07CH84BF6/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=latching%2Brelay%2B12v%2Bwith%2Btimer&qid=1608653990&sr=8-11-spons&smid=AJ2PAD4HXVRT2&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZV004QThQV0wxRUsmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NTM2OTIyQzAzNzdOTjBDUTRUJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MTY0OTgyV1ZPMk1LSklaWks3JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1)
To cut down on noise I placed a loose piece of foam under the pump and found it helps quite a bit.
Roger. I REALY like your water pump / accumulator set up. The option to easily remove / service both the water pump and the accumulator is a great idea. Mostly cause we know that neither the water pump or the accumulator are a forever thing. Both of them will eventually need replacement/ servicing , in fact given the relative low cost of the accumulator and water pump why not just replace both when either go south.
Bob, sort of my thinking when the 20 yr old accumulator gave it up. Pump not far behind? The whole assembly was not that much more than just the tank and easier to get. And you are right, a couple of hand connection and two wires, 4 screws and it is out. It would be nice to find soft rubber mounts for it. I have flex hoses.
This is what was in the coach (OEM) when we got it.
We installed an extra water pump switch by the door, so when leaving we can see if the switch LED is light and then turn pump off before we lock the door.
I put mine in a storage compartment on my trailer with easy access to the air schrader valve, also you set the pressure high enough not to trip your pump switch every time. I bought the largest tank I could fit so I can get enough volume to get the best use of having an accumulator in the system. Like folks who live off a well know the value of a large pressure tank.
"" Like folks who live off a well know the value of a large pressure tank. ""
True, you do make a good point.