Hi everyone! I wanted to provide a follow-up.
I reached out to the "factory", or at least a rep, for FloJet (Xylem). Surprisingly, this is the first time I filled out a 'Contact Us' form at a website and ACTUALLY had someone reply. Anyhoo.. Here is the text from the exchange. I hope it help future TF'ers (assuming they search for the right keywords)
**Review** We can assume, based on the below conversation, that the pump WILL work with an accumulator tank... for a while, but like a good corporate citizen, he won't (and shouldn't) go on record and estimate the life of the pump. Ours lasted AT LEAST two years before it failed. We didn't cover the subject that the accumulator tank may have caused the failed check valve. However, based on the information below, we will reduce the accumulator tank pressure this weekend to 19psi. I will get the parts and fittings to remove the tank and possibly relocate the pump to a more convenient location in the near future. Sometimes those things need staring at before you jump into a fix.
Anyway, here is the discussion:
Product Type/Model: FloJet 4405
Your Enquiry: I have just replaced what I thought was a failed 4405. The pump would run continuously and I ruled out most of the common issues. Since the previous owner left a new 4405 behind as a spare, I used it to replace the old one. The original owner had replaced a 2840 with the 4405, but left the accumulator tank in the system. I see in the directions for the 4405 that is says not to use an accumulator tank. While I understand I should remove it, the removal would be a lot of trouble and the system did work previously WITH the accumulator in place. However, the system is not working as well as it did before. So my questions are: Is leaving the tank in place hurting the pump? If not, what should I set the air pressure to in the tank? What are the symptoms of a failed accumulator tank? Can the tank stay in place with no pressure and act as if it was bypassed without physically removing it?
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Tom,
The problem with your first 4405 pump would be that the Check Valve is Bad and just needs to be replace. Unable to give you an idea of what time frame your Replacement Pump will fail with an Accumulator Tank. The On Pressure for you Pump is at 22-PSI so you should put about 19-PSI air into the Tank.
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Thank you David. Pardon me for replying to this email if I am not supposed to, however, I have some follow-up questions.
So will having an accumulator tank in place cause the pump to fail prematurely?
We estimated the tank pressure on the cut-on pressure for the original pump and set it at about 25 psi. Will this hurt the pump sitting pressurized for a week until we can get back to the boat to readjust the pressure?
That said, would too much pressure as noted above, cause the pump to take longer to re pressurize the system once it drops below 22psi? The system worked ok before and it took about 5 seconds, now it takes over 40. Is the tank fighting the pump?
Can I get a check valve and spare pressure switch from you?
Thanks for your time!
Tom
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Tom,
Here are your Answers for your Questions:
So will having an accumulator tank in place cause the pump to fail prematurely? -
Yes but unknown when Pump will fail.
We estimated the tank pressure on the cut-on pressure for the original pump and set it at about 25 psi. Will this hurt the pump sitting pressurized for a week until we can get back to the boat to readjust the pressure? -
Not at all just when you can get back reset the Pressure.
That said, would too much pressure as noted above, cause the pump to take longer to re pressurize the system once it drops below 22psi? The system worked ok before and it took about 5 seconds, now it takes over 40. Is the tank fighting the pump?
- If the Pressure is Higher than the ON Pressure of the Pump then the Tank and the Pump will be fighting each other.