Accumulator Tank

Hi Barry,

The reason for the excessive noise is because of where Phoenix installed the tank in relation to the pump.  They officially did nothing wrong.  It's only that you gained half of the benefit with their installation.  They likely installed the tank so far from the pump because there was no room to mount the pump and tank together.  The tank needs to be very close to the pump to eliminate most of the pump noise.  Using a flexible hose between pump and tank eliminates the vibration that apparently in your case is getting amplified through the hard plastic PEX plumbing between the two.  The flexible hose is the same kind you would use to hook up a toilet or faucet at home.  I prefer the stainless steel braided type.

My installation shown is odd but it works.  It is extremely difficult to see, but I have a flexible stainless steel braided line between the pump and tank.  The vibration created by the pump is cancelled away through the flexible line and also from the heavy tank.  The hard plastic PEX plumbing after the tank feeding the entire motor home, does not get vibrated.


Concerning pump-run-time.  With any accumulator tank, when you run the water and the pump kicks on, the pump is pretty much keeping up with the demand.  If you turn off the water at the time the pump kicks on, the pump will run roughly 20 seconds.  Keep in-mind that I never timed how long it takes for my pump to fill up the accumulator tank if it has been 100% deleted.

When the accumulator tank is 100% empty (at zero plumbing pressure) there has to be a certain PSI inside the tank.  If my memory serves me well, it is between 17-20 PSI.  It should be set to the same pressure that the pump turns on at, whatever that is.  It could be that Phoenix did not set the tank pressure properly, or the air valve is not tight and it lost pressure.  The valve is the same as a car tire, located on the opposite side of the pipe fitting, under a plastic cap.  In my case, under the blue plastic cap on top.

I should re-take the pictures with my Samsung phone.  That picture dates back to 2008, taken with real old digital technology.

So-my question is: (1) should I install the accumulator?   (2)What benefits do they really provide?  (3)What are the disadvantages, if any?   (4) How does an accumulator function when you pump the pink stuff into the lines and the water tank for winterizing?  Does it fill with pinkie? 

Please educate me.
 

Paul

I also have a 2350, and will remove the bed for this mod. I did not think of that, Thanks for the hint.    (Despite Ron D's generous description, I barely fit in the side compartment.  )

First of all, I have never had an accumulator pump.   That being said, I did buy one a few years ago but never got a "round tuit".   I got a little concerned when I read on the information that came with the pump that an accumulator was not needed or recommended. 

So-my question is: (1) should I install the accumulator?   (2)What benefits do they really provide?  (3)What are the disadvantages, if any?   (4) How does an accumulator function when you pump the pink stuff into the lines and the water tank for winterizing?  Does it fill with pinkie? 

Please educate me.

As to the noise coming from the pump, I have eliminated that to a degree by covering the PEX plumbing in that area with this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frost-King-3-4-in-x-6-ft-Foam-Plumbing-Tubular-Pipe-Insulation/1060005

Unfortunately, on our PC2350 the bed has to be removed to really get to all the pump to really work on stuff.  It can be accessed through a removeable plate in the exterior storage area, but only in a limited way.  SO, I have to take the bedding out and remove all that heavy strand board that is used for a base to the bed.  The pump is installed incorrectly IMO.  It is connected directly to the water tank with PEX and PEX leads directly from the output.   I really need to isolate it with flex tubing to cut down more on the racket.   

Paul

I had the same question regarding pink and the accumulator tank.  I winterized mine about a month ago and used the video with Earl performing the task.  I had pink running  through all plumbing, including the sanicon and used maybe 1 and 1/2 gallons.  Not sure if pink went into it or not.  I guess I will find out when I dewinterize in the next couple of weeks.

Barry T

Quote from: bftownes on March 14, 2019, 04:45:17 pm

I had the same question regarding pink and the accumulator tank.  I winterized mine about a month ago and used the video with Earl performing the task.  I had pink running  through all plumbing, including the sanicon and used maybe 1 and 1/2 gallons.  Not sure if pink went into it or not.  I guess I will find out when I dewinterize in the next couple of weeks.

Barry T

Talking about the 2 gallon tanks.  When there is no pressure in the RV plumbing line, there is no water in the tank.

I believe there is some pressure in the tank when sold, referred to as "precharged".  If you look inside the tank where the water line hooks up, you will see a perforated plate just inside the opening and the bladder pressed up against it.  There is no water inside it when there is no RV plumbing pressure because the badder forces everything out.

Make sense?

Quote from: Ron Dittmer on March 14, 2019, 10:22:04 pm

Quote from: bftownes on March 14, 2019, 04:45:17 pm

I had the same question regarding pink and the accumulator tank.  I winterized mine about a month ago and used the video with Earl performing the task.  I had pink running  through all plumbing, including the sanicon and used maybe 1 and 1/2 gallons.  Not sure if pink went into it or not.  I guess I will find out when I dewinterize in the next couple of weeks.

Barry T

Talking about the 2 gallon tanks.  When there is no pressure in the RV plumbing line, there is no water in the tank.

I believe there is some pressure in the tank when sold, referred to as "precharged".  If you look inside the tank where the water line hooks up, you will see a perforated plate just inside the opening and the bladder pressed up against it.  There is no water inside it when there is no RV plumbing pressure because the badder forces everything out.

Make sense?