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Topic: Adding an Accumulator! (Read 816 times) previous topic - next topic

Adding an Accumulator!

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! 

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #1 –
The pump filter should be on the intake side of the pump. The accumulator goes after the pump.

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #2 –
Thank you Chuck!  Perfect.  Will be heading to HD or Lowe's in the morning and find the flexible hoses to make this work!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #4 –
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

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #5 –
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

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #6 –
Quote from: MarkC –
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...



Mark, that is the one I purchased off of Amazon!  Awesome!
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Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
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

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!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #8 –
Quote from: jor –
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



Thank you Jor, that is where I was going to mount it, but thinking otherwise now!  Appreciate the photo as well!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #9 –
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.

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #10 –
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

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #12 –
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!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #13 –
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!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #14 –
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.

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #15 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
It is small but hopefully will solve our issue with pump cycle every time you call for water!  Even ice maker on our fridge!
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!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #16 –
Quote from: John44 –
...why not just shut the pump off and turn it on when you need it?
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!

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #17 –
A loud pump will be better made softer with flexible in & out hose and a cushioned base. Accumulator can also help low water flow

Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #18 –

Don't ever forget to turn off the pump.  There is a simple solution.
Water Pump Timer Automatically Switches Pump Off

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...

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Re: Adding an Accumulator!

Reply #19 –
To cut down on noise I placed a loose piece of foam under the pump and found it helps quite a bit.