Water pump problem

[Pete Masterson]

The accumulator tank is supposed to have about 1/2 water and 1/2 air
inside. The pump is supposed to pressurize the water against a rubber
diaphragm (water does not compress -- but the air compresses to
maintain the water pressure). If the air leaks out, then the tank
stops providing (sufficient) pressure to the water to make up for the
cycling of the pump. The diaphragm in the tank can (eventually)
degrade, requiring replacement of the tank. If water comes out of the
air valve, the diaphragm may have a leak. If there is air/water
contact (no diaphragm or leaking diaphragm) then the air will
eventually dissolve into the water, requiring the tank to be
'recharged' frequently.

Tanks come in a variety of sizes, but a replacement should be sized
approximately the same as the original. Using a larger tank will
simply require more pumping to bring up to pressure, potentially
overworking the pump. A too-small tank will run out of pressure too
soon, requiring the pump to run sooner-also overworking the pump.

Replacing the pump with a variable speed pump will allow elimination
of the accumulator tank.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Mar 8, 2007, at 10:50 AM, Keith Strehle wrote:

> Thanks Ralph, I'll take a look for the circuit breaker this
> weekend. Last night I pumped some air into the expansion tank, about
> 50lb. There was water in the expansion tank. I don't know but I'm
> guessing that ain't good? However, the shower only stopped once,
> rather that the normal 2 or 3 times.
>
> Keith
> 84FC
>



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