Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons (Read 2264 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #25 –
John wrote "the tank can be located anywhere in the cold water circuit....." 

Now why didn't I think of that?  I just took out my washer/dryer.  I should be able to mount a tank in there, hook it up to the washer water supply and turn on the valve.  Is there any reason not to go with a bigger size tank, say 5 gallons instead of the 2 gallons?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #26 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
.........................................................
2. Replace the tank.  I've seen prices from $200 down to around $168. And now I just found a Shurflo plastic tank for only $43 at PPL.
3. Remove the tank and replace the pump to get rid of the pulsing.  If I go with this option I am considering the Shurflo 5.7 (but it has a history of problems, but for which Barry recently reported  has the ability to adjust its flow) or the AquaJet 5.3 (which Steve and Michelle have and like). 

I am looking for input from those of you who have had either of these pumps for a while as well as general suggestions from  anyone else (need I say that?).
..........................................................

George,
I removed my accumulator tank and installed a ShurFlo 5.7 in 2002 (at least, I think that was the year.....I can go back and check).  I purchased the initial pump from Camping World, at an FMCA show in Perry, GA, at a promotional show price, during the early days of the Shurflo 5.7's availability. 
Two days ago, I installed my FOURTH replacement pump (covered by Shurflo warranty each time, but also varying degrees of hassle from Camping World each time).  I would not keep doing it except out of stubbornness and cost conservation.
Right from the start, I did things correctly with new, 12 Ga., stranded wire upgrade all the way from the 12 Vdc fuse panel, the Shurflo specified inlet strainer, the 18 inches of lead-in and exit reinforced, ½" I.D. soft, flexible tubing. 
The failures have been as follows:
1. Pump 1 developed internal leakage from outlet to inlet (continual On/Off/On/Off cycling).
2. Pump 2 developed a never shut off condition (continued to run at a low speed crawl and motor got so hot it blistered the Shurflo motor paint and scorched the floor of the utility bay)
3. Pump 3 would run but the outlet pressure decayed and the pump motor got so hot it would seize and not restart.
4. Pump 4 began not shutting off.  I adjusted "Barry's Phillips head machine screw", in center of the pump head, 1/8th turn.  The pump would then reliably cycle and shut off but it then started leaking out of the pump to motor casing joint about three days later – about a pint of leakage per eight hours (overnight).  Careful disassembly and re-assembly disclosed nothing and did not improve the condition.

We do use our pump a lot:
    • We always filter fill and then immediately divorce from shore water, using our own tank and pump to keep our TOTAL fresh water system fresh and turning over.
       
    • If we are on the road and I'm heading "dirty" into an RV park with an unknown coach/car/trailer washing policy, I pull over and use my own (low pressure/high volume) pressure washer and onboard water to arrive clean.  I installed a sillcock in the utility bay, direct from the Shurflo pump outlet, to accommodate this.  I also use a hose, off of this sillcock, each day when I wash the collection of bug specimens off of the front cap of the coach, after a day's drive.  I have never had an RV park object to this.
       
    • When the Shurflo 5.7 is operating properly, the volume is great for showers and my exterior washing demands. 
       
    • The volume is easily twice what I originally had for volume. 
       
    • The noise is very low and is much improved over the original accumulator and pump.  When the fresh water tank becomes low (last six inches of the tank), my plumbing is such that the pump starts to hum (minor cavitation, I assume).  That lets me know that I need to refill the fresh water (an audible reminder mechanism).
       
    • The surging of the pump, as it hunts for both the proper variable pressure and variable flow rate, is "different" from any other system that I've ever experienced.  It was a little unnerving at first, but I no longer notice it.  Newcomers on the coach often mention it as "somewhat  (to very) strange".
       
    • The five pumps for the price of one isn't all that bad except for the hassle of finding the purchase paperwork.  Of course, the inoperabe pump problems tend to happen at the least convenient of times.  And I've come close to ending all future relationships with Camping World, a couple of times, over their conduct associated with a couple of these pump problems.
       
    • If I had known all of this before hand, I would never have gone the Shurflo 5.7 gpm route.  I would have stayed with the accumulator and used something like the (now available) Shurflo 4008 "Revolution" pump, "on/off", (KISS PRINCIPLE!!.............not variable pressure, not variable flow, not solid state, not "computer controlled"), 3.0 gpm, 55 psig.  In retrospect, the 3.0 gpm and 55 psig would likely have been plenty of volume and pressure for my needs.
       
    • I have met more than a few others with similar tales of Shurflo 5.7 woes, and Googling "Shureflo 5.7 PROBLEMS" will provide you with a wealth of significant reading material.
I hope that this is of some use to you or others that contemplate this change (before or after any poor Shurflo 5.7 experience).
May your flow be strong and trouble free! :D
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #27 –
Neal:

Your thorough response is extremely helpful.  Thank you.

After reading of all of the problems you had with the Shurflo, I have decided to buy the AquaJet 5.3.

To me, the hassle of having to replace the Shurflo more than once is just too much of a PITA. I will have to partially disassemble part of one bay to replace the pump.

Many of us have said this before, but it bears repeating:  the knowledge and assistance here is nothing short of remarkable.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #28 –
George, the Water Worker HT-2B is an exact replacement for the tank that is in our coach's. :)
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #29 –
Quote
Is there any reason not to go with a bigger size tank, say 5 gallons instead of the 2 gallons?
I don't think so.  From what I read 2 gallons for our size systems is probably overkill.  Two gallon units are often used in residential systems.  That's really the only reason I purchased a 2 gallon is because it was easy to get at Home Depot.
Shurflo does make a 21 oz unit: 
Accumulator Tanks 
21 oz sure does seems too small.  Searching on the web, the cost seems to be about the same as a 2 gal unit.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Bill Willett –
George, the Water Worker HT-2B is an exact replacement for the tank that is in our coach's. :)

Bill,

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I was ready to sit down tonight and order a replacement pump because I was going to tear out the old pressure tank and at the same time put in  a new variable speed pump because without the tank we are hearing an annoying pulsing sound.  So I have ordered this tank from Amazon for a few pennies shy of $38 including S&H.  When the pump goes south at some future point, then I will address replacing it.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #31 –
George, when you replace your tank,make sure you replace the cone washer in the end of the Pex fitting,you can get them at most RV parts stores.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #32 –
I, excuse me, Steve and I just replaced my Shurflo pump yesterday (Steve took pity on the feeble old man with the bad shoulder). The accumulator tank was still good after 18 years. The new pump is twice as quiet as the old one due to a new floating mount system.

THANKS !!! Steve for caring for the elderly.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #33 –
Bill,

Thank you for the heads up.  Is the washer in the attached photo what I need to get?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.
 

Re: Accumulator tank/Water pump issue -- looking for pros and cons

Reply #34 –
George, that looks like the one.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback