Accumulator tank plumbing

[LoneHort]

Morning folks,
My initial delight upon discovering that I had an accumulator tank buried in the heads that I was not aware of recently was soon replaced by an "ohoh" feeling that it was not plumbed in correctly by who ever in the past that installed it.I have drawn it out in the attached.Can anyone advise if the below will even work? it would seem from http://www.xylemflowcontrol.com/files/12573_1_Litre_Acc_Tank.pdf that it should be inline with a tee but mine has only 1 line going to the tank.

 

[RichardS]

Yours is correctly plumbed in with a tee into the main supply line.

Richard

 

[PaulRainbow]

Your sketch is correct, it is the same as the drawing in the link you posted. Look at the picture of the accumulator in the link, the tee is built into the bottom of the tank.

 

[LoneHort]

Thanks folks, So is there any way to determine if it is actually working? It seems to me that my noisy pump comes on as soon as any tap is opened.

 

[RichardS]

Thanks folks, So is there any way to determine if it is actually working? It seems to me that my noisy pump comes on as soon as any tap is opened.

The pump will not run any less just because you have an accumulator so the overall level of noise will be the same. However, it should be on for longer and off for longer rather than stuttering on and off continuously.

If you turn the tap off when the pump is running, wait until the pump stops and then immediately turn the tap on again and the pump immediately starts again, and the pressure from the tap is good, then that does suggest that you need to look at the accumulator and see if it can be re-pressurised. Looking online for the manual is probably the best bet.

Richard

 

[VicS]

Thanks folks, So is there any way to determine if it is actually working? It seems to me that my noisy pump comes on as soon as any tap is opened.

Check the pressure in the accumulator. It should be at or just below the pump "cut in" pressure. ( recommendations vary a little) See https://www.jabscoshop.com/files/Accumulator and Expansion Tank Instructions ZPWL4 doc595.pdf

If it is working correctly there will be a short delay before the pump cuts in and if a tap is only partly open the pump should not cycle on and off rapidly.

 

[GraemeS]

Thanks folks, So is there any way to determine if it is actually working? It seems to me that my noisy pump comes on as soon as any tap is opened.

If your pump rapidly and repeatably switches on an off when you use water the vessel has failed and indicates there is no air within the vessel. I'm not entirely sure what type of vessel you have but some vessels you are able to replenish the air via a valve (car tyre type). When the pump power is isolated and there is no water pressure in the pipes the air pressure in the vessel should be about 0.3 bar less than the pump switch on pressure. That being said if you are unable to add air to the vessel you could possible tell if the vessel has fail by switching the power to the pump off and then drain the water via a tap that is higher than the vessel. The vessel should be empty now and sound hollow if you tape it.