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Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #79932] Fri, 09 April 2010 18:54 Go to next message
westlanddave78 is currently offline  westlanddave78   United States
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Location: Westland, MI
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I'd like to install an accumulator tank on my water system and I got to thinking about where I might put it. I remembered the fan under the stove which (used to) attempt to deliver heat to the bathroom. I tried it once...too noisy, no discernible increase in airflow to the loo. (Hmm...wonder why? Twenty feet of 1-1/2" tubing with several 90 degree bends? The same brainiac must have designed the dash ductwork up front.)

I haven't ever had the stove out of my rig, so I don't know how much space I have to work with back there. The 2 gallon Shurflow tank looks to be about 12" H x 9" D x 9" W. Any thoughts?

Also, would the smaller, 21 oz tank have enough volume to make any difference? Seems skimpy.

TIA.

Dave P.
Westland, MI
75 Palm Beach

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #79935 is a reply to message #79932] Fri, 09 April 2010 19:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chr$ is currently offline  Chr$   United States
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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I have an accumulator tank that I may put between the genny compartment and the back of the coach. It is a dead space and it fits. It is about 8" in diameter and 16" long.


westlanddave78 wrote on Fri, 09 April 2010 16:54

I'd like to install an accumulator tank on my water system and I got to thinking about where I might put it. I remembered the fan under the stove which (used to) attempt to deliver heat to the bathroom. I tried it once...too noisy, no discernible increase in airflow to the loo. (Hmm...wonder why? Twenty feet of 1-1/2" tubing with several 90 degree bends? The same brainiac must have designed the dash ductwork up front.)

I haven't ever had the stove out of my rig, so I don't know how much space I have to work with back there. The 2 gallon Shurflow tank looks to be about 12" H x 9" D x 9" W. Any thoughts?

Also, would the smaller, 21 oz tank have enough volume to make any difference? Seems skimpy.

TIA.

-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ

77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #79990 is a reply to message #79932] Sat, 10 April 2010 08:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
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westlanddave78 wrote on Fri, 09 April 2010 18:54

I'd like to install an accumulator tank on my water system and I got to thinking about where I might put it. I remembered the fan under the stove which (used to) attempt to deliver heat to the bathroom. I tried it once...too noisy, no discernible increase in airflow to the loo. (Hmm...wonder why? Twenty feet of 1-1/2" tubing with several 90 degree bends? The same brainiac must have designed the dash ductwork up front.)

I haven't ever had the stove out of my rig, so I don't know how much space I have to work with back there. The 2 gallon Shurflow tank looks to be about 12" H x 9" D x 9" W. Any thoughts?

Also, would the smaller, 21 oz tank have enough volume to make any difference? Seems skimpy.

TIA.


As you are probably aware the accumulator can go anywhere you can fit it as long as you can get a water line to it. However it should be installed so that the accumulator and its supply line can be drained when winterizing.

Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #80006 is a reply to message #79932] Sat, 10 April 2010 10:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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westlanddave78 wrote on Fri, 09 April 2010 19:54

I'd like to install an accumulator tank on my water system and I got to thinking about where I might put it. I remembered the fan under the stove which (used to) attempt to deliver heat to the bathroom. I tried it once...too noisy, no discernible increase in airflow to the loo. (Hmm...wonder why? Twenty feet of 1-1/2" tubing with several 90 degree bends? The same brainiac must have designed the dash ductwork up front.)

I haven't ever had the stove out of my rig, so I don't know how much space I have to work with back there. The 2 gallon Shurflow tank looks to be about 12" H x 9" D x 9" W. Any thoughts?

Also, would the smaller, 21 oz tank have enough volume to make any difference? Seems skimpy.

TIA.

Dave,

I have fit accumulators for several owners. I am not at all sure I would go to the effort for my own coach. All the accumulator will do is make the pump longer though it will run less frequently. It will still run the same number of minutes per tank.

Most of the cases where it was requested and installed were a solution to the complaint that the potable water pulsed out of the tap. One was because that same pulses make the on-demand water heater go berzerk.

If the pulse in the water system is the issue - go for it.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #80038 is a reply to message #79932] Sat, 10 April 2010 16:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
westlanddave78 is currently offline  westlanddave78   United States
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Location: Westland, MI
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@midlf: Yep, I'm going to try to mount the accumulator with the fittings facing down so it will drain by gravity.

@Matt: Mostly what I'm trying to avoid is short-cycling. The dead band between the on and off pressures is too small. I'd rather the pump ran longer and started fewer times. This should prevent premature motor failure and save battery life by limiting the number of times both are subjected to in-rush current. I realize the benefits are probably marginal but it's a PITA to change my pump due to its location. A $35 accumulator (which I already bought for another rig and never installed) might be a nice hedge. How long do you give it before it leaks? Smile

Dave P.
Westland, MI
75 Palm Beach

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #80041 is a reply to message #80038] Sat, 10 April 2010 17:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
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westlanddave78 wrote on Sat, 10 April 2010 16:48

How long do you give it before it leaks? Smile


The time till it leaks is inversely proportional to the amount of time it will take to get at it to fix the leak.

Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #80090 is a reply to message #79990] Sun, 11 April 2010 01:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Draining an accumulator is not really a problem in the winter. Open any valve with the pump off and it will empty itself.

Though not necessary for the accumulator, I fill my system with the pump and a 1 gallon bottle of antifreeze. The pump fills the accumulator and the the accumulator empties itself again while filling the lines.

I have mine next to the water tank in the rear but it could also go next to the hot water heater in the bath module. It really can go anywhere as long as it has a line to a cold water connection.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: Accumulator tank in place of bathroom heater booster fan [message #80091 is a reply to message #80041] Sun, 11 April 2010 01:53 Go to previous message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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midlf wrote on Sat, 10 April 2010 17:17

westlanddave78 wrote on Sat, 10 April 2010 16:48

How long do you give it before it leaks? Smile


The time till it leaks is inversely proportional to the amount of time it will take to get at it to fix the leak.



I have never had to replace mine. I have had accumulators on Hot water heating system that were 30 years old. They are not a high maintenance item. I'm also still running the OEM pump.

Just remember to adjust the air pressure charge in the accumulator to 2 PSI below your pump turn on pressure.

Draining an accumulator is not a problem. Just turn on any water valve in the coach without the pump running. The accumulator will expel all of it's water.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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