Accumulator installation

[Alan_Cockrell]

I am planning on much dry camping this fall so I bought a 2 gal accumulator to reduce pump cycles and soften pump start-ups. No installation instructions came with it, not even an online reference. But they are all basically alike and I did enough research to figure it out....mostly. It won't fit in the space where my pump is, in the bathroom, but it will fit nicely under the kitchen cabinet. So, I have 3 questions. 1. Will locating it so far from the pump reduce its effectiveness? 2. The under-sink plumbing is convoluted and hard to figure out. I did however discover that the water heater input line, when disconnected, spurts a lot of water when I turn on the pump. Seems that's a good tie-in point. Correct or not? 3. Should I make life simple and run single line to the accumulator or run two lines that route water through it?

[Dusty_R]

DFord wrote:
What kind of pressure do you have in the tank when empty? Try adjusting it.

If I remember right pre-set pressure in tank should be 2lb. below pump turn on pressure.

[DFord]

What kind of pressure do you have in the tank when empty? Try adjusting it.

[Sam_Spade]

TurnThePage wrote:
You probably just need to rearrange the water lines to ensure none are resting against a wall or the side of a cabinet. That can amplify the noise.

Especially if it seems to be coming from an area AWAY from the pump.
Most, but not all, pumps are shock mounted pretty good.
Try to locate the actual source of the noise.
Start in the area where you did the work.

[SoundGuy]

Alan Cockrell wrote:
My problem now is that my pump works harder and gets louder. I have never heard it hammer like it does now. It seems I need to either get another pump or take the accumulator out. Any suggestions?

My solution - 2 pics, 1 video. Pump is so quiet I can't hear it running so I added a light to the pump circuit so I would know. Click "i" at the top right of any pic for a text description. No accumulator needed - K.I.S.S. :B

[TurnThePage]

You probably just need to rearrange the water lines to ensure none are resting against a wall or the side of a cabinet. That can amplify the noise.

[Alan_Cockrell]

Thanks for all the good points. I got the accumulator installef and it works. My problem now is that my pump works harder and gets louder. I have never heard it hammer like it does now. It seems I need to either get another pump or take the accumulator out. Any suggestions?

[DFord]

It won't make much difference where in the system it's located. Just make sure it's in a cold water line. Your pump will love you and you'll love the reduction in pump noise. The bladder will push all the water out when you're winterized - just make sure there's no pressure in the system.

[Lynnmor]

Be sure to install it in a way that the water will drain out when winterizing or servicing.

[mbopp]

My pump is in the front of the trailer but I had to mount my 2 gallon tank in the back next to the sink & water heater. Works fine.

[Vintage465]

I think it's better to have it closer to the pump as you say, but if under the sink is the only place, then my guess is, it will work just fine. Normally you just put a "T" on top of the tank, then pass the cold water thru the T. Personally I would try and put it past the Water Heater inlet. The Water Heater kind of acts as it's own accumulator tank. This way you're getting the most bang for your tank.....at least that the way I see it. I acquired a real neat little 1 gallon(1/2 gallon net) accumulator tank that I think would be perfect. I haven't figured a good place for it yet. Currently I have the SureFlo plastic unit that works fine.

[Sam_Spade]

Learjet wrote:
anywhere in the cold system is fine.

The objective is to accumulate pressure, right ?

You can't compress water.....so there needs to be some air trapped in there.

I don't see how either one of yours will do that with the inlet at the top. Seems like they would eventually fill completely with water and become ineffective.

Maybe they have a sealed bladder inside ??

[Sam_Spade]

Alan Cockrell wrote:
Should I make life simple and run single line to the accumulator or run two lines that route water through it?

IF this is going to function like a "pressure tank" on a well system, then you can NOT run the water "through" it.

In general, it needs to be mounted so that the water connection is made at or near the bottom of the tank......so the necessary air pressure pocket can form at the top.

[Learjet]

anywhere in the cold system is fine. I have one in my trailer and one in my house installed at the furthest point in the garage.

I have the small Shureflow in the trailer and it works for me....second one I have installed in my RVs.