A hydraulic accumulator is necessary to maintain a constant pressure in the water supply network, as well as to provide protection against water shocks. If the device fails, most of the breakdowns can be fixed with your own hands. To do this, you need to choose the right replacement parts.
The main spare parts for accumulators
A hydraulic accumulator is a stainless steel or plastic tank with a rubber membrane located inside. It is mounted in the lower part of the housing with a flange and divides it into two compartments. If the accumulator is more than 100 liters, additional fastening at the top is usually required. For this, a special holder is used - a nipple with a threaded connection.
A fitting with a nipple for air injection is installed at the end of the drive. In the process of pumping water into the accumulator, the diaphragm expands, and as a result, it compresses the air that is between it and the walls of the tank. This design helps to ensure that the liquid is under constant pressure, as a result of which the number of starts of the pressure unit is reduced and its service life is increased.
Other details necessary for the normal functioning of the tank:
- A flexible hose is needed to connect the storage tank to the pump unit.
- The non-return valve is installed on the suction pipe, which is lowered into the well or well so that the liquid does not flow back into the source when pumped.
- The spool is used to pump air into the device. Also, with its help, the pressure in the air chamber is checked.
- Control control devices allow maintaining a constant pressure in the water supply system. The control unit includes a pressure switch and a pressure gauge. The first device is responsible for starting and stopping the engine, and the second monitors the water pressure in the system.
For ease of connection, many hydraulic tanks now use a special part - a five-pin or five-pin fitting for the hydraulic accumulator. This is a special unit that allows you to connect everything you need for an autonomous water supply.
The five-pin element is called so, since it can be used to assemble five different components together: a pumping device, a hydraulic tank hose, a manometer, a pressure switch and a dry run. If any element is not required to be connected, stubs are used. The prices for a brass pyatnik for a hydraulic accumulator are in the range of 300-400 rubles.
During installation, the device becomes on a special stand. But a small device is quite possible to hang on the wall with a durable clamp.
Most components can be replaced when worn. But sometimes the hydraulic accumulator is not separable, because of which it will not be possible to change the membrane. If it malfunctions, the entire drive is subject to replacement. The cost of such devices is less.
Criterias of choice
Most often, problems in the operation of the hydraulic tank are associated with the wear of the membrane part and the flexible connection for connecting the hydraulic accumulator to the pump.
Before buying a new diaphragm, you need to make sure that it is suitable for the drive in volume. A membrane with a smaller volume than the calculated one will fail much faster. When choosing a diaphragm, you also need to pay attention to the quality of the rubber. It should be dense, strong, without any signs of cracking. Membranes are budget-priced - it starts at 200 rubles.
As for eyeliners, it is necessary to purchase polymer and non-crushable flexible reinforced products.Their cost starts from 500 rubles. The accumulator hose must be of the same section as the flange.
When choosing a pressure switch, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarity of a particular water supply system, primarily the characteristics of a hydraulic tank and pressure equipment. The cost of such a device is from 350 rubles.
On the mounting flange made of stainless steel or plastic, a fitting is installed for connecting to the water supply with an external thread of ½ or ¾ inch. This value must be checked when purchasing the part, since it varies depending on the manufacturer. Such a spare part costs from 240 rubles.
Parts Replacement
If a breakdown occurs that requires replacement of the hydraulic tank components, you need to call a specialist or take the drive for repair to a service center. Nevertheless, if desired, you can repair the accumulator yourself.
According to the reviews of the owners of the tanks that carried out independent repairs, the easiest way is to replace the hose, manometer and pressure switch through the pyaternik, and from the internal elements - a membrane. Before replacing a diaphragm of a hydraulic accumulator that has become unusable, it is necessary to relieve pressure in it. To do this, disconnect from the mains, shut off the fluid supply, drain the residues.
When replacing a rubber "pear", the procedure will be as follows:
- Loosen flange bolts and remove.
- Remove the failed element through a special hole in the bottom of the battery.
- Inspect the membrane and assess the extent of damage - is there any possibility of repair.
- Clean the inside of the drive of rust and plaque, and the flange - of any burrs.
- Take the holder and insert it into the hole located on top of the "pear".
- Place the membrane in the hydraulic tank and, having screwed the bolt into the holder, insert it into the opening located in the bottom of the housing.
- Straighten the neck and secure with the flange, tightening the bolts on opposite sides.
After assembling the device in the reverse order, you need to pump air into the accumulator. This will allow the drive to function normally. The discharge is carried out by means of a conventional pump through a spool, which is located on the outside of the housing.
If the connecting flange is damaged, which sometimes happens due to the quality of the water, replacing it will not be difficult either. The procedure is similar to replacing a worn diaphragm, but you do not need to remove the bulb and clean the inside of the drive. Make sure that leaks are due to the flange itself and not to the wear of the seal on it. Perhaps it is enough to replace the rubber gasket, which costs a penny.
Terms of Use
In order for the hydraulic tank to function normally, you can not use it:
- in systems with liquids that differ in properties from pure water;
- in networks with a pressure greater than the maximum permissible;
- in pipelines with a liquid temperature exceeding standard values.
It is strictly forbidden to increase the operating pressure indicators above the maximum permissible values in the air and water compartments of the accumulator, both during operation and during preset pressure.
During operation, malfunctions may occur. For example, frequent starts and stops of pumping equipment. The reason is a low pressure in the air chamber of the tank or a rupture of the diaphragm.
To check the integrity of the diaphragm, you need to press the spool using a match or a thin screwdriver. The release of air along with water indicates a rupture of the pear. If there is no water, you just need to pump air. In the absence of an air cushion, the diaphragm is in contact with the walls of the body, which leads to its damage - it is wiped. This is perhaps one of the most common tank failures.
If there is a tendency to a constant decrease in pressure, you need to check the battery for leaks. A soap solution should be applied to the joints. Next, you need to tighten the bolts on the flange or the nut on the nipple.
Also, during the operation of the hydraulic tank, in order to increase its service life, it is necessary to conduct a monthly check of the start and stop pressure of the pumping equipment for compliance with the established parameters that were set during setup.
Every six months you need to check:
- the device itself for external damage, rust, dents and leaks;
- the pressure in the air chamber, in accordance with the established indicator by means of a car manometer;
- pear integrity.
For long-term storage, the hydraulic accumulator must be drained and placed in a dry room. If the operational period has exceeded three years, comprehensive preventive maintenance should be performed. To do this, the device is disconnected from the water supply network and the membrane is replaced. It may also be necessary to change the flange and nipple.
Battery repair can be easily carried out independently. If it is necessary to change spare parts, it is better to purchase original parts, since each manufacturer sets its own component sizes.
