DA460 Accumulator tank, Guess Where!

[Asureyez]

Developed a FW leak that was impossible to find, but the water was going in to the dry bilges under the companionway stairs! Sea Ray 800 service was sympathetic, but all the experienced staff were in layoff. So, I went on a witch hunt,

The Accumlator tank, a cheapo plastic 1 liter Jabsco affair is mounted on a inaccessable bulk head behind the galley refrigerator.

Peel back the carpet, remove decorative doors at hinge, remove retaining bracket for frig, slide out frige, 1.5 hours.

And shazaam there is that leaking rascal.

 

[doozie]

I saw that when I was rewiring and replaceing T-Vs, wondered how much was involved in getting the fridge out. Thanks Bob

 

[skibum]

Was the cover plate on that outlet loose from day 1 or did you take the screw out of it?

 

[RollerCoastr]

A Jabsco POS? Leaking at the thin center seam where the two halves are glued together? I feel your pain.

I replaced mine twice. Mine is mounted on starboard side of the transom. Not as hard to get to as yours, but not fun.

Even after seeing how poorly made it was, I replaced it with the same unit because I didn't want to drill new holes into the hull.

When the third one went bad, I capped off the line to give me time to find an alternative.

Years later, it's still capped off. I can tell that the water pumps turns cycles sooner than it used to, but there's no banging or pulsing or any other noticeable effects, so I don't have plans to fight that battle again.

I complained to the online discount vendor. He suggested I call a non-working 800 number. I haven't given him business since. I wrote directly to Jabsco, and received no response. I've learned my lesson.

 

[carterchapman]

Chad,

What is that accumulator tank for? Icemaker?

 

[Asureyez]

These tanks are installed in FW systems (homes too) to absorb pounding in the pips from unequal pressure in the lins. The cold side is one huge pressure vessel and when you relase pressue in one part of the line, water wants to run back from the extremeties to the low pressure point which confronts the pump side pressure, you get knocking or a "chutter". The tank is nothing more than a membrane with airpressure on one side and water pressur eon the other. The air pushes water back into the system to act like a shock absorber and no chutter in the pipes. Also it fees a small amount of water to the system so the pump doesn't kick when you get a simple class of water.

THe air side is pressure matched by you to be set just a hair below the low pressure kick in point for your automatic pressure swith in your water system.

You can live with out one, but life is better with it.

As for the replacement, I went back with a plastci one again, but not a jabsco, burn me once ... these are supposed to be 50 year duty cycle items. The OEM was a POS and was leaking at every orifice.

 

[Asureyez]

The electrical outlet switch plate was actually laying in the bilge upon entry, the screw had been over tightened and it broke the web allowing the whole bit to go adrift.

I'm going to retro fit that with a different cover plate which will have a weather proof drop down cover.or some Rube plastci shied as there is some water shipped there at times via the sliding hatch gaskets.

I've got some time to finialize what I'm going to do back in there as I am still chasing a Compressor unit for the DE461 Frig which went to heaven with out permission.

For 460 owners, I noted there was no drain in the bottom of the wet locket in the companionway. I think I'll add one with small pvc hose to the bilge. Well see how ambitious I get.

But definately time to 86 the Tube type TV while I'm in there.

 

[katricol]

Anyone know where it is on my boat?

 

[Asureyez]

Anyone know where it is on my boat?

Frank is the 'sprut on 45's

 

[RollerCoastr]

The Jabsco 1-litre models I had didn't even have a membrane. It was simply a bottle of air with a threaded fitting. You'd think an empty bottle that cost $40 would at least not leak...!?

I know of boats that clearly need them: the water pulses and the pump cycles unnecessarily. Once mine was gone, I realized that in my case, it wasn't needed.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

My water pump pulses when the ice maker fills with water. Instead of going the accumulator route (don't currently have one that I can see), I was thinking of investigating new variable flow water pumps.:smt115

Is it true that these new pumps will vary their flow rate to match demand, therefore eliminating that pulsing on/off with a low flow situation?:huh:

 

[carterchapman]

Thanks Chad,

I need to find where it is on my 340 - unless Hampton or Scott beats me to it!

 

[The Bill Collector]

Anyone know where it is on my boat?

On my '98 450 it's located on the port side fire wall...... It's a gray looking metal cannister...?

 

[HIFI]

A Jabsco POS? Leaking at the thin center seam where the two halves are glued together? I feel your pain.

I replaced mine twice. Mine is mounted on starboard side of the transom. Not as hard to get to as yours, but not fun.

Even after seeing how poorly made it was, I replaced it with the same unit because I didn't want to drill new holes into the hull.

I replaced my Jabsco Accunulator tank twice. The third one is built different than the originals. The originals were seamed the long way and the replacements are cupped together the short way for a more robust joint. Once you see the new design you will be satisfied. They also have rid the built in tee connection so less opprtunity for failure in that area as well. No issues for now. Mine too . . .must remove refrig.

 

[katricol]

Thanks Mark I'll check out that area...Ric

 

[Jaws]

Chad,

They must have changed the accumulator tank position between your model '01 460DA and my '02. Mine is in the engine room just outboard of the water pumps. Fortunately for me it is very easy to get at.

James

 

[Asureyez]

Chad,

They must have changed the accumulator tank position between your model '01 460DA and my '02. Mine is in the engine room just outboard of the water pumps. Fortunately for me it is very easy to get at.

James

Yes, totally different ... a factory wonk said gee we are using these really bad POS tanks and they buried the so deep in the gut of these boats, this is a bad idea. all 500 previous owners have had trouble after warrantee, so let's lighten up on our dealers and put the POS when we can pay to replace them for less money! A Golden idea and a wonk got a bonus! The architech should have been put in stocks in the parking lot every day at lunch for a month!

You do not put POS components in such inaccessable places! SR design gets a huge RED "D" grade for this ... D is for DUMB