Charging Shureflow accumulator tank

[Pelagic]

I just installed this inherited 2 gallon SS tank on the bulkhead downstream of my FW Pump.


It says that it require 20 PSI to charge the diaphragm and it has a standard tyre fitting to charge.


No instructions came with it...
So how do I pressurize?
...with tank empty and depressurized or pump up then add air?

[nigel1]

Way I charged mine:
Acumulator plumbed in.
Turn on water pump with tapo/faucet open until water runs clear, no air in water
Stop water pump using the circuit breaker
Leave tap/faucet open.
Pressurise the accumulator

Need to set the accumulator pressure to about the same pressure at which the pump pressure switch casues the pump to turn on, so if your pump kicks in at say 2 bar, then charge the accumulator to 2 bar.

[Wmiii]

This is a good post.
I have the smaller Jabsco accumulator tank and have no idea what the pressure should be.
Any suggestions are welcome.


Thanks,


Wm Mayberry
OPTIMYSTIQUE
Mariner 40


Marathon, FL

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Wmiii

This is a good post.
I have the smaller Jabsco accumulator tank and have no idea what the pressure should be.
Any suggestions are welcome.

You could get the instructions off the Internet but my memory says 12 PSI.

I bought a small bicycle pump (the kind that people strap to the bicycle frame) and I just pumped mine up until it was hard to pump. Works for me.

[Wmiii]

Originally Posted by rwidman

You could get the instructions off the Internet but my memory says 12 PSI.

I bought a small bicycle pump (the kind that people strap to the bicycle frame) and I just pumped mine up until it was hard to pump. Works for me.

That's what I've been doing.
Just curious what the proper pressure should be.
I'll see what I can find on the jabsco website.

Thanks,
Wm

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Wmiii

That's what I've been doing.
Just curious what the proper pressure should be.
I'll see what I can find on the jabsco website.

Thanks,
Wm

After spending a half hour or so trying to track down Jabsco, I found out they have been sold to a company called "xylem". xyleminc.com or Jabsco > Xylem Flow Control - Let's Solve Water.

[Dirk Williams]

I just purchased a simlar set up, mines, a very hard plastic. Has a bicycle pump valve on the side for pumping up. At least that's what I think the valve is.

Dirk

[PeaceLoveMusic]

Use a foot pump with gauge such as for a car tyre and pump to 2 bar.

[Noisykate]

We just fitted a new (small) accumulator tank; ours arrived ready pressurised. We fitted the new tank, switched the water pressure pump back on - and found the new accumulator tank appeared to have made no difference. The pump was still cycling on and off madly when we ran a tap. We let some of the pressure OUT of the tank, until the pump cycles at what seemed like a reasonable interval. The advice seems to be generally to set the accumulator tank pressure "the same" as your pump is set to operate, within the safe operating range of the accumulator tank.
Hope that helps!

[PPLepew]

Here's their spec sheet for a 5 gallon tank:
http://www.xylemflowcontrol.com/file...L_Acc_Tank.pdf

[carambo46]

You set it 2 pounds below your cut in pressure not cut off pressure

[zstine]

Originally Posted by rwidman

You could get the instructions off the Internet but my memory says 12 PSI.

I bought a small bicycle pump (the kind that people strap to the bicycle frame) and I just pumped mine up until it was hard to pump. Works for me.

Pumping it "until it gets hard to pump" is likely over pressurized to the point that the accumulator is doing nothing for you and way over the 12psi you state (though I believe that is too low). If you put more than 55psi in the tank and the max system pressure is 50psi, then the diaphragm won't ever move (compress) and the tank does zero for you (the air is a spring and the pressure is like 'pre-load)). Fill the accumulator with no/low pressure in the water system (pump off, water tap open), the accumulator pressure should be about equal to the low pressure pump 'on' setting. This varies depending on your pump, but 20psi to 30psi is typical. If you pressurize the accumulator when the water system is fully pressurized, then it should be close to, but not over the high pressure 'off' setting... about 40psi for 'high' pressure. Never exceed the water system max pressure, or set below the min pressure or the thing won't work right. Of course, you check the pressure with a tire pressure gauge and fill with a bike pump via the Schrader valve (tire fill valve).

[Cadence]

Just as a point. I think you are speaking of a Schrader valve. You will want to do it static with the pump off. A couple of PSI above the turn off of your pump.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by zstine

Pumping it "until it gets hard to pump" is likely over pressurized to the point that the accumulator is doing nothing for you ............

I suppose "until it gets hard to pump" is a little bit subjective, not objective.

The reason I posted that advice is because that's what I did and it restored the function of the tank. The real, yet to be answered question is, how did the tank get unpressurized in the first place? I repressurized it a few months ago and it's been fine.

So, my advice now is "pump it up a bit and see if that fixes the problem. If not, pump it up some more until it works as expected."

Yes, putting a gauge on it would also work if you have one and if you can get it on the valve tightly without losing the pressure you are trying to measure.

I had to add a curved tire valve extension intended for dual wheeled truck tires to mine because of mounting it too close to a fixed surface. That was easier than redoing the plumbing.

[BruceS]

I carry a pushbike pump & leave a tap running at a VERY fast drip or dribbling & gradually increase the air until I reckon I'm getting 3-4 litres.
They have a habit of creeping down so every month or two just top up with the same process. Too much and it'll drop again to only a cup full like it does with not enough.