Accumulator accumen?

[Prairie Dog]

I wan't to install a 2 gal accumulator tank in our new trailer. I can either buy one from Camping world or I can buy a thermal expansion tank for a residential water heater for about 1/3 the cost. These two devices look exactly the same to me and they both can be charged to 20 PSI. Are they indeed the same thing?



TIA

Scotty

 

[Ron Bissett]

Accumulator?

I worked for years using Hydrolic accumulators and they had a nitrogen bag in side , the bag was compressed by the pump while running to keep a steady pressure on the lines the water accumulator must be the same sold as thermal expantion tanks just used on the hot water line to take the extra water in the heater as it expands with the heat and the valve closed (fauset) Just a bottle inverted will work to some extent . The charge on the bottle is nitrogen but air could be used if not avalible . I would go with the thermal expantion tank . It may come pre charged. Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville Ky

 

[HBarlow]

Prairie Dog:



I am assuming the reason you want to install an accumulator tank is to avoid water pump cycling and provide even water pressure and flow rate.



Another alternative to consider is the new-style variable flow RV water pump introduced fairly recently. The new style pump responds to demand by varying speed so that the pump runs continuously without cycling and provides an even flow and pressure.



I'm thinking about purchasing and installing one myself.



Harvey

 

[Prairie Dog]

I went ahead and bought the thermal exp tank. I like the idea of the variable flow pump but the existing one is brand-new and basically I'm just too cheap. The only difference I can see so far is that the RV specific accumulator tank may hold more water but I'm not shure. I'm going to give this one a try and play with the air charge pressure to get the best results ie the longest flow after turning off the pump.

Thanks for the info guys.



Scotty

 

[Prairie Dog]

Well it worked out pretty good. The pump doesn't cycle nearly as often and I can turn it off and still be able to flush the toity 10+ times which means it won't be waking people up at night no matter how much beer I swill.

 

[klenger]

Prairie Dog:



I know this is a bit late, now that you have the mod done, but here's a link to my website with some info on the tank I installed in my camper. It works great, and hold over 3 gallons of water, and unlike water in the water heater, the water in the accum. tank can actually be used, so you end up adding 3 gallons of fresh water capacity to your RV.



http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/mods/water-accumulator.html

 

[Prairie Dog]

That is a nice instal Klenger, mine is very similar except I stood it on end to get every drop out.