SHURflo accumulator connector

[chriscowles]

Hello. I bought a SHURflo accumulator for my trailer, only to find the existing connections are too snug/short to make use of them. One of the hoses to the pump has plenty of slack but I can't fit the accumulator in the space next to the pump to make use of it.

I went to my local home supply store to cobble together a hose with 2 female ends, only to find they didn't have the necessary parts, and didn't have any idea what is needed. I guess I have to buy it online. Now I have to wait.

Can someone provide a parts list, instructions, and a suggested source? I can work with about 18" of hose, 1 elbow connector, and 1 straight.

While I'm at it, how can I get the benefit of the pump silencing kit without paying $25 for 2 18" hoses? I gather they're basically larger volume hoses? Or is the hose material more flexible and absorbs vibrations?

The silencing kit will suit my purpose. Are parts going to cost as much as that, anyway? Or is there only a minimal difference, making the benefits of the silencing kit worth the small incremental cost?

On the topic of the accumulator, it's pre-pressurized to 40 pounds. The instructions say the ideal setting is the same as that of the water pump trigger pressure. How do I determine what that is?

Thanks

[Herk7769]

The hoses are more flexible and do not transmit as much pump noise to the pex tubing.

The shurflo accumulator uses standard homestore 1/2 inch pex to 1/2inch NPT female fittings.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_53513-61002-...ter&facetInfo=

[chriscowles]

Thanks, Lou. Being a pex fitting, I assume it requires pex hose. Do I just cut the hose off square and push it in?

There isn't much pex in the area of the pump. Most of it is clear vinyl with reinforcing fiber in the wall of the hose. It's softer than pex seems to be. Perhaps it's already as effective at silencing the pump as Shurflo's 25 kit?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Thanks, Lou. Being a pex fitting, I assume it requires pex hose. Do I just cut the hose off square and push it in?

There isn't much pex in the area of the pump. Most of it is clear vinyl with reinforcing fiber in the wall of the hose. It's softer than pex seems to be. Perhaps it's already as effective at silencing the pump as Shurflo's 25 kit?

Those push on fittings work on all kinds of tubing like, copper, pex, and hose. The difference with non-ridged tubing is the use of the center stiffener that gets stuck down the hose/pex to make it ridged for the fitting to seal.

Without seeing a photo of the layout and tubing it would be tough to say how effective what you have is; regards the "quiet kit" (which is not all that quiet - just quieter than the ridged pex connected right to the pump).

[mark0224]

The way my pump was positioned nothing worked re-installed it so there was a lot more room just unscrew it from the floor and move it to a position that will work better. You may have to go to the hardware store and get some flexible lines as Herk shows. Hardest part of this job is working in the tight quarters of the cabinet.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by mark0224

Hardest part of this job is working in the tight quarters of the cabinet.

My least favorite activity is working in an awkward position amongst a mass of wires and hoses in a cramped space. Plumbing, electrical wiring, and computer and audio connections all fit that description.

I'm considering opening another panel in the front bulkhead area of my 21DK where the pump is housed. If I can obtain another cabinet door like the others, that wouldn't be hard and access would be much easier. The work of installing the door is far less than that of trying to get my arm into the location where they installed the pump.

Why, oh, why, did they route the wiring and hose under and around the pump in a way that tied it all down? If they had simply not entangled it all, life would be easier.

[youroo]

In regards to (Location) of any (Accumulator Tank) placement can be (Anywhere) along the Pressure side of your Fresh Water System! Just Tee in where you have (Easy/Best) access! Youroo!!

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Those push on fittings work on all kinds of tubing like, copper, pex, and hose. The difference with non-ridged tubing is the use of the center stiffener that gets stuck down the hose/pex to make it ridged for the fitting to seal.

That's helpful. I saw push-on fittings at the store but the associate didn't suggest them. (Not sure why. He seemed to be of an age that would have included some life experience. Maybe he was a store clerk all his life.) Anyway, I think I can assemble it with that information.

Next question: how do I determine the pressure setting that triggers the pump?

The (SHURflo) accumulator installation instructions says "The most efficient use of the accumulator occurs with the pre-charge set at the SAME pressure as the pump’s pressure switch “turn on” setting. Typically, a 40 psi [2.7 bar] pump will turn on at 20 psi [1.4 bar]. Therefore, the pre-charge should also be 20 psi [1.4 bar]. The pre-charge MUST be set in a “static” condition (pump off and at least one water fixture opened)."

The exact model of the pump, as listed in appliance information sheet from Forest River, is SHURflo 4008-101-465. The operating instructions describe a by-pass feature that is "... set to begin opening at about 40 psi and creating full by-pass at about 62 psi. ... The pressure switch on the pump is set to shut off at 55 psi. ...". They also state that "... lower pressure pumps will vary depending on the by-pass and pressure shut-off settings."

Given the above information, how can I determine the pressure at which to set the accumulator? While the instructions describe a typical pump as turning on at 20 psi, how do I know the actual setting for my pump?

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by youroo

In regards to (Location) of any (Accumulator Tank) placement can be (Anywhere) along the Pressure side of your Fresh Water System! Just Tee in where you have (Easy/Best) access!

Thanks for the enlightenment.

The area where I'm working is probably best. I'm putting it in the cabinet next to the pump and water filter. There's plenty of space for the tank and for me to work. I just don't have enough slack on the existing hose.

[danno2u]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

... I just don't have enough slack on the existing hose.

Brother, I feel your pain!

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by danno2u

Brother, I feel your pain!

Too much slack might be a problem at times.