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Topic: Water System Accumulator (Read 1369 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #20 –
I installed an Shurflow 2 gallon accumulator tank with a pump that specifically recommends against it. It is an Aquajet 55ARV variable speed pump, which they say needs a "hard stop" to function properly. The pump has great flow and pressure (5.3 gallons per minute open flow, pressure up to 65psi), but had an annoying pulsation at very low flow settings. I decided to install the accumulator to deal with the pulsation issue in spite of the explicit warnings against it.
Our U270 has an LP water heater above the water pump, so there is no room to install the Shurflow two gallon stainless steel accumulator tank I wanted to use. Fortunately, the accumulator tank can be installed anywhere with in the cold water system so I put it under the kitchen counter behind the bottom two drawers. This did require me to shorten the drawers by an inch, but that also gave me room to replace the original LP furnace ducts with insulated ducting. That was done as part of a larger project involving new a cooktop, new two stage furnace, and some other stuff that shares in the same space.
I suspect that because the Aquajet variable speed pump gradually slows down as the accumulator approaches cutoff pressure, the motor speed control electronics are stressed by the gradual slow down as opposed to the hard cutoff the pump would see without an accumulator. So far, so good after almost a year of practically full time use. I had one scare where the pump quit working, which I immediately assumed to be caused by the fact I had inadvisedly installed an accumulator. I went over to PPL and bought the best non varible speed pump they had in stock (I think it was a Shurflow 4048). However, the actual problem turned out to be a failed crimp on the wire near the pump. Having had the stark realization that there is no such thing as dry camping without a fresh water pump, I kept the Shurflow as a spare. So far, the electronic speed control of the Aquatech pump has proven to be robust enough to hold up without any issues.
Here is a link to my accumulator install as well as some links to other threads involving the fresh water system;
Shurflo stainless steel accumulator tank

Fresh Water Overflow Vent Project;
Fresh Water Overflow Vent Project

Replumbing the water drain lines and water pump;
Replumbing the water drain lines and water pump

Adding a second valve to the Motor Aid loop;
Adding a second valve to the Motor Aid loop

Hopefully, these links answer more questions than they raise ::)
Don


Quote from: Jack L –

I often wonder if accumulater is not recommended as not needed, not to be used, or will work without causing another issue with pump.  ??

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #21 –
Never had one, never will. Works fine without them but I don't live in it either

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #22 –
They had told me the electronics isn't happy with the accumulator or air in the lines. Don if you aren't having any trouble maybe
I will put one in.

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #23 –
You just gotta' love this forum........ so many members willing to share their knowledge    ^.^d ........... and opinions!      8)
we all got'um    ;D 

and FWIW........ I wouldn't be without an accumulator in our coach, also don't particularly care for the variable pump either.

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #24 –
Don't have an accumulator and never thought I needed one. The pump seems to be pretty quiet when it's running. However after reading through the thread I can't appreciate not having to run the pump for brief moments such as flushing a toilet That's pretty cool. I'll have to think about it. They're not expensive and not hard to install so that's not the issue. The other thing I would be careful of, or at least I am, is pumps that pump too much water. As it would be full-time boondocker I don't want to pump any more than I absolutely have to to keep water usage at the lower side.

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Bob and Julie –
The other thing I would be careful of, or at least I am, is pumps that pump too much water. As it would be full-time boondocker I don't want to pump any more than I absolutely have to to keep water usage at the lower side.
The water pump pumps as much water as you demand.  You control usage.  To conserve water, avoid opening the water taps.

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #26 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
The water pump pumps as much water as you demand.  You control usage.  To conserve water, avoid opening the water taps.

This is true, but I still installed the lowest flow water variable speed water pump I could find.
 

Re: Water System Accumulator

Reply #27 –
I DO agree that purchasing more water pump (flow capacity) than is required by a particular installation is a waste of money.  As long as the pump can support the maximum flow rate allowed by your faucets or shower head or whatever, then it is perfectly adequate.