Camp I am
Wisconsin
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Joined: 09/27/2005
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I'll be doing the expansion tank mod to our 5vr this spring and was wondering if anyone has ever done a dual tank set up? I don't believe there will be a problem doing this, just two water bladders filling up instead of one. I can't fit a 6 gallon but I can get two 2 gallon tanks snuck into a hidden area behind a panel. Result should simply be that the pump runs even less and I'll carry 4 more gallons of water instead of 2. Has anyone done this before? Also has anyone ever mounted these horozontialy instead of vertically
Sahm I am's Husband 
2006 Chevy Silverado 3500, LT3 CC/LB 4WD SRW LBZ Duramax/Allison
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Dutch_12078
Great Sacandaga Lake, NY
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Joined: 10/07/2008
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Expansion (accumulator) tanks are relatively position insensitive, so mounting them horizontally is no problem. Using multiple tanks is not a problem either, with the only effect being longer pump runs to refill them, just as it would be with a single larger tank. One thing to keep in mind when selecting the mounting position though, is that you will need access to the air valves from time to time to check and adjust the pressure. Shut off valves to isolate the tanks are also handy for keeping antifreeze out of the tanks when winterizing.
Dutch
1995 Coachmen Catalina 322QBXL
F53 chassis, 460 V8, TST TPMS
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2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Hi,
I have a 2 gallon tank, and that proides more than sufficient water reserve. The problem is that if there is a slight leak, such as water into the toilet, or the outside shower is left on with a tiny trickle of water leaving slowly, you will lose up to 2 gallons each time you turn on the pump and charge the tank with water.
I set my tank pressure at 12 PSI with no water pressure in the lines. I guess I can get about 1.4 gallons of water into the tank before the pump stops at 45 - 50 PSI. Yet I do not use this tank while in transit to carry water. I guess it can happen, but you would have to run the pump while filling the fresh tank with water to get the water in there.
Higher air pressure when the tank is empty will not increase the amount of water that can be pumped, it will actually decrease the pumpdown amount. My tank will keep putting out water until the tank empties and there was 12 PSI in the lines until just before the tank empties into the fresh water lines.
If the tank has say 30 PSI in the tank with no water, not much water can enter the tank before reaching the shut off pressure of 40 - 50 PSI.
Fred.
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mobeewan
Hampton, Va
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Joined: 01/03/2007
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I added a 2 gallon tk horizontally under the rear bunk between the water heater and bathroom wall at the back wall of the trailer which was only accessable by lifting the bunk matress and plywood. It has served pretty well. At the time I was considering adding a second tank under the kitchen sink between the side wall and water pump, water pump plumbing and tank plumbing but really haven't felt the need for it yet. The tank came with about 20 psi in the bladder. I too bled off some of the tank pressure to allow it to fill more. Don't know how much, but was a little at a time until it seemed to allow a good amount of water out before the pump kicked in.
* This post was
edited 01/14/12 11:14pm by mobeewan *
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Camp I am
Wisconsin
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On my last TT I had just one tank that i installed. I can't remember the exact pressure I had it set at but it worked great so your right that the correct pressure is key. More so just wondering pro's or cons if dual tanks or mounting position will create any issues?
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doughere
Mooresville NC
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I added a 2 gal tank horizontally; find the pump cycling to be fine.
If you want to carry more water, I'd suggest you add fresh water tanks somewhere else; 2 gallons more in the expanison tanks is just not worth the effort. I replaced the original 30 gallon tank with 3 40 gallon tanks hung under the trailer; we can now dry camp for a week at a time.
Regards,
Doug
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christopherglenn
a little over an hour from Yosemite
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About the only thing huge expansion tanks will do for you is to allow you to turn off the water pump at night, and still flush the toilet & wash your hands. For most of us a gallon or two will be fine.
2007 Chevrolet 3500 CC/LB Duramax/Dually 4X4 Mine r4tech, Reese Signature Series 18k +slider, duratrac, titan 62 gallon, diamond eye, Cheetah 64
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RustyFairmount
Michigan
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I installed a 1/2 gallon bladderless tank last season and found it to be perfect for my HTT. Best $20 spent on a mod. Did it to extend pump life and minimize pulsing flow. I envy you all who have room for bigger tanks.
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jls
canastota, ny
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I am in the water pump system industry. Use of 1 or more expansion tanks will help with pump life and stop pressure pulsation during light usage. The air pressure in the tanks should be 2 psi. higher than the cut in pressure of the pump. The easiest way to determine this is to install a water pressure guage and adjust the pressure in the tank with no water pressure in the system.
john and Pam
2006 Chev K1500 Z71 4x4 5.3L
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hoss1045
Central Ohio
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I must be an idiot, i cant find these $10-$20 expansion tanks any where. where do yo get them?
2007 GMC Yukon XL
2004 Fourwinds 25' HTT
Go BUCKEYES
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