"Air accumulator tank"

[Anchorite]

\"Air accumulator tank\"

Putting a pressurised water system together...I have this tank which should/may/doesn't (recent posts!) stop the pump cycling. No instructions with it: it's about 1 liter and has a Y-piece input.
Questions:
How full should it be (how much air, how much water?).
Fitting: is the higher the better (higher than pump, higher than calorifier) or does it not matter?
Why a Y-piece connector for the water supply?
Size: is bigger better? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tillergirl]

Re: \"Air accumulator tank\"

The instructions for the PAR 1 litre accumulator tank (model 12573-3000) says the following (in the hopes that it is the same as yours or operates on a similar basis:

"A tee piece is included with the tank suitable for 15mmid flexible hose connectors. If rigid pipework is fitted use the 1/2" BSP external taper thread provided" The accumulator (well the PAR anyway) sits astride (as it were) the feed from the pump prior to any branching off for hot or cold etc. so one side of the tee is from the pump and the other side is off to the taps (or fawcets if you've got a posh boat). Why a 'Y'? - someones lost the 'T'?

Mounting: must be mounted vertically but if absolutely necessary the tank may be mounted up to 45 degrees angle with little loss of performance. The mounting must allow sufficient access for the removal of the top plug.

Location: fitted in the outlet line from the pump. Do not connect the tank directly to the pump outlet port.

There's a bit about using PTFE tape to waterproof connections.

Maintenance: After prolonged use, the air cushion may be absorbed. This becomes apparent if the pump cycles rapidly when only a small flow is drawn off. To correct:

a.Turn off power to pump
b. Open tap furthest from the accumulator tank
c. Remove plug in top of accumulator tank
d. Open drain cock of water system or loosen pipe joint on pump delivery side to drain system.
e. Replace plug and washer in top of tank
f. Reverse procedure at d. leaving tap furthest from pump open until flow settles. Close all taps, unit will reach required pressure and shut off - now charged for service.

Do not overtighten top plug or tee piece - hand tighten only Do not paint the tank
Max operating pressure 8.6 bar

Hope after this yours is a PAR and this helps. My experience is that an accumulator tank eliminates cycling.

 

[Anchorite]

Re: \"Air accumulator tank\"

Tillergirl: many thanks for the info. Mine is a Coleman (German model) but seems similar to Par...except Y-connectors are only 10mm ID. I found a drawing on Google showing a tank installed: there was a T in the pipe from the pump to the taps and the tank was on a single pipe, and shown higher than the pump. End result is the same. I'll change the 10mm y for a single 15, easier installation!

 

[tillergirl]

Re: \"Air accumulator tank\"

If you pm me with an e-mail address I can scan in the PAR diagram and send that to you as an attachement if you like.