Charging accumulators

[NFCN]

On my fresh water system I have 2 accumulators. One has a traditional bike pump attachement on the top, the other a black screw type fitting. While no expert, I think one is linked to the FW pump and the other to the calorifier.

Of late the FW pump has started as soon as the tap is turned on. I assume therefore that one or both of the accumulators has lost its charge and requires refilling.

Is it a simple case of FW pump off, shut off water supply to the accumulators and recharge - one with a bike pump forcing air into the top, and the other by draining it? Or is it more complicated?

Any tips gratefully received.

Nick

 

[seamaster30]

You will need to de-pressurise the system before pumping in the air - turn off the power to the pump and open the taps, then pump to the appropriate pressure.
Then you can close the taps and connect the power again.

 

[Cliveshep]

Getting the "appropriate" pressure is an excercise and another helpful forumite offered a "rule of thumb" that worked for me a couple of weeks ago. Pump up the accumulator, turn on the water pump. Bleed some air out of the accumulator until the pump starts up. Do this a couple of times, when the pump no longer starts up that's it, you'll need to pump a little air back into the accumulator. No need for pressure gauges and long forum threads, it is a practical approach that works fine. The idea is for the pump to fully compress the diaphraghm in the accumulator pushing against the air above it, so its a bit trial and error, having said that I got it first time.

 

[Danny]

Nick, I PM'd you.