MOD Water pump upgrade with accumulator tank

[Neal]

Today was the day to do one last task on my list on my 2017 Newmar Ventana prior to the next trip. I've been wanting to upgrade my 3.4 gpm water pump to a 5.3 gpm pump to see if it can better handle water running in multiple locations such as taking a shower while the washer is running and not impact either. I also wanted to add an accumulator tank as at times the master bathroom faucet will pulsate due to the low demand on the water pump. Having researched accumulator tanks and watched various YouTube videos on it I'm surprised it's not installed standard in all RV's, at least luxury RV's. It seems to handle low pressure demands much better and also extend the life of the water pump.

I changed my REMCO 3.4 gpm aquajet with a REMCO aquajet ARV 5.3 gpm model. Certainly a beefier and slightly larger pump yet remains within the water pump controller power limits and has the same pressure output max so no risk of blowing pipes. As to the accumulator, also went with REMCO's accumulator, looks like a nice quality product. Picked up some fittings and braided water line and off I went.

Spent about 4 hours today removing the wet bay panel and swapping pumps. I guess I see why the accumulator is not standard in all as I really didn't have a good place to mount it. So it's sitting towards the back near the low point drain valve. While the job isn't yet complete, I have about an hour of work, everything is reconnected so at least I could test the pump and it works great. Also something of note is that when you use an accumulator tank the water pump will always continue running about 5-10 seconds after demand for water is off so it recharges the accumulator tank.

While I'm glad the job is done I want to ask the community for a favor. Any time I ever mention doing something that requires taking the wet bay panel off or tell someone it's not hard. Please begin an immediate intervention, or worse, just stop me. I never want to deal with this wet bay panel again and of course all my little mod's to it such as drainmaster automatic gates, SeeLevel, sani-con, dual house filter, etc. Bring me the Advil!!!!

 

[BGMAC]

I’d be eager to know if it helps or not. In many cases the issue of loosening water flow in one place like the shower when the washer is running is usually how the pluming is configured. 1/2” pipe can only handle so much water.

 

[redbaron]

When I added the 2nd water pump and accumulator to my system it made a huge difference. We now have city water equivalent all the time. After visiting a few parks that had poor pressure, I adjusted my city water pressure to 20psi, so that I live off of the fresh water tank and only fill with city water.

The 2nd pump solved a problem I was having with toilets flushing while showers being taken, or dishwasher usage, etc. Most of the time the pumps are idle when it just a single usage, and I never hear them inside like I used to on a single pump without accumulator.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Today was the day to do one last task on my list on my 2017 Newmar Ventana prior to the next trip. I've been wanting to upgrade my 3.4 gpm water pump to a 5.3 gpm pump to see if it can better handle water running in multiple locations such as taking a shower while the washer is running and not impact either. I also wanted to add an accumulator tank as at times the master bathroom faucet will pulsate due to the low demand on the water pump. Having researched accumulator tanks and watched various YouTube videos on it I'm surprised it's not installed standard in all RV's, at least luxury RV's. It seems to handle low pressure demands much better and also extend the life of the water pump.

I changed my REMCO 3.4 gpm aquajet with a REMCO aquajet ARV 5.3 gpm model. Certainly a beefier and slightly larger pump yet remains within the water pump controller power limits and has the same pressure output max so no risk of blowing pipes. As to the accumulator, also went with REMCO's accumulator, looks like a nice quality product. Picked up some fittings and braided water line and off I went.

Spent about 4 hours today removing the wet bay panel and swapping pumps. I guess I see why the accumulator is not standard in all as I really didn't have a good place to mount it. So it's sitting towards the back near the low point drain valve. While the job isn't yet complete, I have about an hour of work, everything is reconnected so at least I could test the pump and it works great. Also something of note is that when you use an accumulator tank the water pump will always continue running about 5-10 seconds after demand for water is off so it recharges the accumulator tank.

While I'm glad the job is done I want to ask the community for a favor. Any time I ever mention doing something that requires taking the wet bay panel off or tell someone it's not hard. Please begin an immediate intervention, or worse, just stop me. I never want to deal with this wet bay panel again and of course all my little mod's to it such as drainmaster automatic gates, SeeLevel, sani-con, dual house filter, etc. Bring me the Advil!!!!

I'm not sure they didn't build the house around that panel.

 

[Rich W.]

Today was the day to do one last task on my list on my 2017 Newmar Ventana prior to the next trip. I've been wanting to upgrade my 3.4 gpm water pump to a 5.3 gpm pump to see if it can better handle water running in multiple locations such as taking a shower while the washer is running and not impact either. I also wanted to add an accumulator tank as at times the master bathroom faucet will pulsate due to the low demand on the water pump. Having researched accumulator tanks and watched various YouTube videos on it I'm surprised it's not installed standard in all RV's, at least luxury RV's. It seems to handle low pressure demands much better and also extend the life of the water pump.

I changed my REMCO 3.4 gpm aquajet with a REMCO aquajet ARV 5.3 gpm model. Certainly a beefier and slightly larger pump yet remains within the water pump controller power limits and has the same pressure output max so no risk of blowing pipes. As to the accumulator, also went with REMCO's accumulator, looks like a nice quality product. Picked up some fittings and braided water line and off I went.

Spent about 4 hours today removing the wet bay panel and swapping pumps. I guess I see why the accumulator is not standard in all as I really didn't have a good place to mount it. So it's sitting towards the back near the low point drain valve. While the job isn't yet complete, I have about an hour of work, everything is reconnected so at least I could test the pump and it works great. Also something of note is that when you use an accumulator tank the water pump will always continue running about 5-10 seconds after demand for water is off so it recharges the accumulator tank.

While I'm glad the job is done I want to ask the community for a favor. Any time I ever mention doing something that requires taking the wet bay panel off or tell someone it's not hard. Please begin an immediate intervention, or worse, just stop me. I never want to deal with this wet bay panel again and of course all my little mod's to it such as drainmaster automatic gates, SeeLevel, sani-con, dual house filter, etc. Bring me the Advil!!!!

The first thing I thought of when I started reading this was: “How did he find a convenient way to get the wet bay panel off?”. Having been there, I can attest that it is far from easy. The second thing was “where are the pics?”

 

[Neal]

No pics, could be traumatizing. Imagine those that can't handle seeing intestinal surgery....so yeah, I thought about it, but it's an ugly area regardless.

Thanks @redbaron I didn't realize yet all of the benefits but the instant water pressure before the pump even engages has multiple benefits as you pointed out. Toilets, dishwasher, washing machines, etc. all have instant water when demanded. Cool!

One thing I forgot to mention. Something that is critical for a job like this where you need to get fittings removed from water lines and then insert them later such as winterization connections, house water filter connections, etc. is a heat gun. It is near impossible to separate or install these fittings without first heating up the tubing. When heated it makes it so much easier and probably will also give you a better seal on the reattach. I carry a heat gun in my coach all the time as it's also used for heat shrink tubing, heat shrink electrical fittings, etc. And yesterday when I struggled with getting fittings disconnected I remembered this trick.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

As @redbaron said concerning two pumps! It definitely helps with high demand applications, my second pump is for hot water only! For my accumulator my choice was AO Smith expansion tanks, I realize my place to put such extravagant build is much greater than you guys with your Newmar MHs, but well worth it!!! For higher volume my pumps are on a 24 volt system. That works for me, but Neal putting in a higher volume pump will definitely help! Let us know how things work out while doing your laundry! My problem is a low volume shower head won't start the on demand WH I use. So I am still looking for solutions!

 

[sheridany]

One thing I forgot to mention. Something that is critical for a job like this where you need to get fittings removed from water lines and then insert them later such as winterization connections, house water filter connections, etc. is a heat gun. It is near impossible to separate or install these fittings without first heating up the tubing. When heated it makes it so much easier and probably will also give you a better seal on the reattach. I carry a heat gun in my coach all the time as it's also used for heat shrink tubing, heat shrink electrical fittings, etc. And yesterday when I struggled with getting fittings disconnected I remembered this trick.

And melting the snow during a winter wonderland extravangaza!