Water pressure

[hermosilloleos]

New to forum and we are in our 3 years as RV owners.
Our 03 Itasca has a Shure flow pump and a shure flow accumulator tank.
The pressure in the accumulator tank is suppose to be 20 psi.
About a year ago I notice it had 10 psi and now its at 0.
I tried to pump it up but it will not hold any pressure.
We have notice no pressure difference.
Winnebago Ind. told me since there is no pressure diff. not to replace it.
I appreciate any feed back.
Thanks

[wolfe10]

There are two VERY different styles of accumulators. The better ones have a bladder that separates the air chamber from the water. Pump them up to pump cut in PSI minus 2 PSI. So around 22 PSI for most RV pumps. This is done with pressure water OFF, shore water OFF and a faucet opened to drain off residual pressure.

Less expensive accumulators are just sealed containers. These will eventually loose their air pocket and that air pocket needs to be re-established.

So, good place to start is to look up the brand of accumulator you have to see which kind it is.

[fltrker]

When dry camping our water pressure is very low as it runs off of the pump. Can we purchase a better/ stronger pump to install without any adverse problems?

[Canadian_Rainbi]

You can't add air to the tank because the tank is full of water and water in not compressible. There is not room for the air.

Over time the air in the tank is absorbed by the water and gets pumped out, eventually leaving a tank full of water but no air space.

Shut off the water supply and the pump. Open the waterlines to and from the tank. Allow all the water to drain from the tank.

The tank is now full of air at normal air pressure. (Zero psi differential)

Reconnect the water lines, turn on the water supply and pump.

If you wish you can now add a little air, as someone said above, no more than 3 psi. Just a stroke or two with a bicycle pump.

As water is pumped into the tank it will compress the air in the tank until it is equal to the pressure of the pump.

And you are good to go--until next time which may take years.

Note that there is not much air in the tank and every time you check the pressure you let some out. I never check mine: If the water pulses too much out of the faucet I know I need to let more air into the tank.

[stuplich]

crasster wrote:
Yeah those can take VERY low psi of air.... Check with the manufacturer. I have one in my home that is 3psi

3 PSI?
This one comes preset @ 10 PSI.
The instructions @:
http://www.xylemflowcontrol.com/marine-and-rv/jabsco-water-pressure-systems/pressure-system-accessories/30573-0002-mini-accumulator-tank.htm
state: "For best results, donot pressurize tank above 20 psi".
Mel

[crasster]

Yeah those can take VERY low psi of air.... Check with the manufacturer. I have one in my home that is 3psi

[gatorcq]

To add air to the accumulator, first turn off the pump, open a faucet to relief pressure in the line. Now you can add the air, be easy it does not take very much. Bicycle pump type

[hermosilloleos]

Mel, the accumulator is the unit that we tried to pump up but did not hold or take.
Winnebago comment was that if there was no change in pressure or performance do not replace.
Thanks

[stuplich]

hermosilloleos wrote:
New to forum and we are in our 3 years as RV owners.
Our 03 Itasca has a Shure flow pump and a shure flow accumulator tank.
The pressure in the accumulator tank is suppose to be 20 psi.
About a year ago I notice it had 10 psi and now its at 0.
I tried to pump it up but it will not hold any pressure.
We have notice no pressure difference.
Winnebago Ind. told me since there is no pressure diff. not to replace it.
I appreciate any feed back.
Thanks

They told you "not to replace it"?
What do they mean by "it"??

When you said you "tried to pump it up but it will not hold any pressure" I assume you mean the accumulator tank.
If you can not successfully add air to the accumulator and bring it up to the PSI specified by ShurFlo, I would replace it.
Mel

[Executive45]

The accumulator tank smooths out the water flow so your pump doesn't have to work as hard. It does not boost your water pressure. It also stops the water hammer, but it's main function is to even out the flow of water between your pump and the faucets. If everything is functioning correctly, I wouldn't be too concerned..but, I'm in the "if it ain't broke, I'm not messing with it" crowd../

Since you indicate it will not hold any pressure, have you changed out the valve core?....Dennis

[MountainAir05]

my understanding of them is to stop water hammer in your lines. Could be wrong.