brain
Cedar Rapids, IA
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Any suggestions for a replacement water pump and possible accumulator install? I'm reading some posts from the other forums on variable pumps or high flow pumps, and some have accumulators. Anyone here have experience with either? Ours is the stock OEM OKanagan unit, and it's too loud (it's buried in the basement and has soft lines to minimize vibrations), and the setup does not allow slient flushes in the night. As well, I could see value in variable speed.
I found this thread and this thread, but I only saw one recommendation for a pump and the jury seemed undecided as to whether an accumulator is the best option.
Jim
* This post was
edited 06/07/08 02:08am by brain *
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pjay9
Tacoma, WA
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Jabsco makes good pumps that are rebuildable...if you spend a few nmore bucks.Pump on sale
Shuflo is another good unit...why variable in a TC?
Install the biggest practical accumulator. Capt PJ
2005 Lance 1161/2004 Dodge CTD 3500 Dually
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joec
Salem and Lakeview Oregon
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pjay9 wrote:
Install the biggest practical accumulator. Capt PJ
Totally agree, there are 2 gallon units from home improvement stores that you can fit under the kitchen counter and they make water flow much more quiet and even. Just like a home that is on a well you need to have a big pressure tank to help the pump last and keep the spikes in pressure down. Plus you can flush the toilet at night without the pump coming on.
2006 F-350 PSD DRW - 2004 Eagle Cap 950 - Rancho 9000s - Ride Rites and  "Homemade Super Bump Stops"
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FarcticOx
Rural NH
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One caution...The variable speed pumps don't work with an accumulator. It confuses them. IMHO the standard pump (Surflo, Jabsco...) with an accumulator is the best option.
FarcticOx
2003 F350 Diesel DRW with goodies.
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Nemo667
Louisiana
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Jim - Is the problem that the pump is too loud? Or is there a water surging problem? We found that the stock pump is ok after you find and isolate the vibration caused by the pump when it is running. Ours is now quiet and delivers water just fine without an accumulator or soft lines coming off the pump and we were considering both including remounting the pump to another location before we did that. I don't know how loud your pump is, but ours could summon the dead...
Ben
2007 F-350 SRW 6.0L Auto CC SB 4X4
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Despite reservations by the Shurflo tech's I installed a small accumulator with my Shurflo 4.0 pump but I added about three feet of tubing between them. The pump may get confused but only until the water pressure has dropped below the accumulator `air' pressure then it pumps just fine.
When showering the initial water pressure will be supplied by the accumulator which will be lower than when the pump kicks in. So open the faucets more than normal to get past that low pressure flow more quickly.
Dick_B
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brain
Cedar Rapids, IA
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Nemo667 wrote:Jim - Is the problem that the pump is too loud? Or is there a water surging problem? We found that the stock pump is ok after you find and isolate the vibration caused by the pump when it is running. Ours is now quiet and delivers water just fine without an accumulator or soft lines coming off the pump and we were considering both including remounting the pump to another location before we did that. I don't know how loud your pump is, but ours could summon the dead...
Ben
What did you do to isolate? I'm not sure what else I can do to isolate the sound. It's on rubber mounts, it's got soft hoses attaching it to the rest of the lines, and it's stuffed done in the basement. It just sounds like it hammers when it turn on.
As well, the pump has a leak, and my wife wants more pressure anyway.
Jim
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brain
Cedar Rapids, IA
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pjay9 wrote:
Shuflo is another good unit...why variable in a TC?
Install the biggest practical accumulator. Capt PJ
Why? Well, all of the documentation states that they provide the same features as an accumulator but without the bulk. Why would they be preferred for large coaches and not for TCs?
I also heard an accumulator adds more complexity in winterizing.
I will admit the accumulator and a new single speed pump is probably the cheaper option, but I'll make the investment if I need to.
Jim
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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I installed a SHURflo Whisper King Demand Fresh Water Pump and an 2 Gallon Expansion Water Heater Pressure Tank (sometimes called an accumulator).
The pump upgrade was of questionable value, but is quieter than the original. The tank was definitely worth while.
To work properly, you must lower the air pressure of the tank (22 PSI as I recall), and adjust the high cutoff point of the pump (about 2-PSI lower than the tank). I think you can go as high as 30-PSI on the pump and 32-on the tank. I think there was a thread on this, and if you decide to go this way I will help you find the Thread so you will know exactly how to adjust. I installed mine about three years ago, so it is a little fuzzy in my memory.
Using the 2-gallon tank, you will have about 1-gallon of water available before the pump turns on. It really makes a difference in the frequency of the pump turning on and off.
There are several tricks to installing the pump to run quieter. The primary trick is how you mount the pump.
Wayne
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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brain wrote:I also heard an accumulator adds more complexity in winterizing.
I do not see how it could impact winterizing. I mounted my tank with the opening pointing down, so it will completely drain. Some mount the tank on it's side, but I cannot see how you could drain it.
Wayne
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