Accumulator Tank -- How useful?

[redbaron73]

In reading the literature of the 2022 Newmar Essex, I came across this blurb:

Bladder Tank for Water Pump System

This is not present on the 2022 London Aire, so I headed off to comnet to discover what this is. I found out it is an Accumulator tank, made by Sureflo part #182-100.


Amazon has part #182-200, which has different fittings, but otherwise identical.


I understand what the role is, reduce the surge for small amounts of water usage. What I am more interested in is steady flow from the pump.I have replaced my pumps with variable speed pumps, and most of the time the flow is steady. There are times though that the flow will increase up and down with additional usage (ie: someone in the shower, and I am washing hands, etc).


How well does the small accumulator tank work? Even better, has anyone coupled this with a variable speed pump?

[Danny969]

I have the accumulator you reference. It works fine, but you only get a few seconds of water before the pump kicks in. If I did it again, I'd leave the tank out and just go with the variable speed pump. It's just one more place for a leak to occur and doesn't buy you much with the new pumps that can handle low flow without pulsing.

[Max Headroom]

Interesting, I thought class A coaches pretty much all had an accumulator.


My coach has one, and it works great. Holds enough pressure for a bowl fill, or a few hand washes with the pump off, and the water flow with the pump on is very consistent.
Not sure if it's the one you're interested in, but I think it is something every coach owner might want if they have the space to mount it.

[Old-Biscuit]

Most RV Pump MFGs do not recommend an accumulator tank with a Variable Speed Pump

REMCO 55AQUAJET
No accumulator tank required.
If an accumulator tank is already installed in your system, either bypass or eliminate it

Seaflo Variable Flow SE24FR
No accumulator tank necessary

And if the pumps uses Bypass Controls
No accumulator tank necessary


Accumulator Tanks work best with constant demand RV Pumps.
Turn pump off at night and you can still flush toilet W/O using pump
*If using City Water....no reason for an accumulator tank

[Dutch Star Don]

In years past, I installed an accumulator tank in a slide in camper we had, to keep the pulsating down. Once high-volume variable speed pumps came along, no need for an accumulator tank.

With that said, a London Aire is a pretty high end coach. You would think they would put in a variable speed pump. Maybe there is some reason were not seeing that an accumulator is needed.

[Bobby F]

Doesn't the air pocket in the water heater accomplish about the same thing? You just need some compressible air somewhere in the closed water system.

I know that, when I have my winterizing bypass closed on the WH, i get the annoying pump pulsing, and when I open the pathway to the WH, the pulsing goes away. And, yes, I do periodically need to drain the WH and refill it to re-establish the air bubble. But it seems to handle the pulsing problem.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

In years past, I installed an accumulator tank in a slide in camper we had, to keep the pulsating down. Once high-volume variable speed pumps came along, no need for an accumulator tank.

With that said, a London Aire is a pretty high end coach. You would think they would put in a variable speed pump. Maybe there is some reason were not seeing that an accumulator is needed.

Sadly the pump that Newmar installs is not a variable speed. That will be my first upgrade. Sounds like I can safely skip the accumulator tank.

[Winepress]

We converted our water system to full RO water. As such we depend 100% on the pump for water as it all comes from the tank. After going through three variable speed pumps it was recommended that we switch over to a constant speed pump with an accumulator. One benefit, it’s so quiet you cannot detect it is running. Volume is good but I’m always looking for more.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Winepress

We converted our water system to full RO water. As such we depend 100% on the pump for water as it all comes from the tank. After going through three variable speed pumps it was recommended that we switch over to a constant speed pump with an accumulator. One benefit, it’s so quiet you cannot detect it is running. Volume is good but I’m always looking for more. Attachment 354145

your accumulator tank looks much beefier than the one newmar listed.

[Dav L]

I have seen the Remco Var speed recommendation to remove the accumulator...and my RV doesn't have one now...but I am trying to understand the reason WHY it's recommended to remove. Yes, more leak points, and more stuff to carry, but is there another more pressure / reliability / confuse the var speed pressure sensor reason?

I have my whole wet bay apart (for many months now...) so now would be the time to figure this part of the system out.

RedBaron - certainly keep the old constant speed pump as a spare...I would even consider ordering a rebuild kit for the new Remco. The bearing is actually a very popular skate board wheel bearing available many places online. Same bearing in at least a HydroHot blower...So I keep a handful of them for spare parts too. These pumps are high failure points.

[palehorse89]

I installed the 55 Aquajet 5.3 ARV last summer and my water flow is not smooth till faucet is wide open, water pressure pulsates up and down. They state that the pressure is controlled by a circuit board and is not adjustable.......I have not call Remco as of yet, maybe today after reading this thread. Anyone that has this pump have any suggestion's?

[wildtoad]

I had issues with my wh leaking from the relief valve and none of the fixes would stop it. Installed a very small bladder tank on the cold water line and no more drips. Also as below delayed the start of the pump for very short water usage need.

Originally Posted by Danny969

I have the accumulator you reference. It works fine, but you only get a few seconds of water before the pump kicks in. If I did it again, I'd leave the tank out and just go with the variable speed pump. It's just one more place for a leak to occur and doesn't buy you much with the new pumps that can handle low flow without pulsing.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

I installed the 55 Aquajet 5.3 ARV last summer and my water flow is not smooth till faucet is wide open, water pressure pulsates up and down. They state that the pressure is controlled by a circuit board and is not adjustable.......I have not call Remco as of yet, maybe today after reading this thread. Anyone that has this pump have any suggestion's?

This has been my experience with remco pumps as well.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

I had issues with my wh leaking from the relief valve and none of the fixes would stop it. Installed a very small bladder tank on the cold water line and no more drips. Also as below delayed the start of the pump for very short water usage need.

I believe this symptom is rare, although Atwood's water heater instructions do include it, along with two suggested fixes, of which adding an accumulator is one. My coach had the same symptom, and I added a small (one liter) bladder accumulator to fix it.

An accumulator used this way is set for a pressure of 60 to 70 psi, so does not store water except when the water heater is on and all the water outlets shut off.

I could go on, but do not want to derail the OP's thread.