Hydraulic Accumulator Demo
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- Опубликовано: 8 май 2019
- Megaflo or Unvented hot water systems rely on the incoming water supply to deliver provide a superior level of performance.
In the majority of cases where performance is an issue, this is down to insufficient pressure or flow supplying the cylinder. Every scenario is different!
Simply installing a Megaflo system does not guarantee high performance showers, etc. It could be worse than an old vented system if incorrectly designed/installed!
This demonstration video was prompted after a long conversation with the technical department of a major pump and expansion vessel manufacturer (Xylem/Lowara). Our call was to establish the maximum charge pressure of their potable expansion vessels.
After very patiently trying to explain what we were trying to achieve, he insisted the flow rate CANNOT be improved without a pump. He finished the conversation as follows:
Lowara: "I've been in this business a long time, and it can't be done".
Me: "We've done it and it works".
Lowara: Well good for you. Our products can't do that". Hangs up!
We have run this exact demo with other brand expansion/pressure vessels and it works! 
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Why the accumulator tank installed on the opposite side in this setup?
Thanks very good vid.
Q1. How is a normal system set up? What valves are needed? What is the circuit diagram?
Q2. What volume accumulator do you recommend for enough to provide two showers and normal daily usage for 2 people?
Q3. Mine would go in a loft, does have frost protection?
I have purchased a 130L Grundfos accumulator similar to the one you have. After setting up a test rig similar to yours the difference is significant, however this only lasts for around 20 seconds before reverting to normal flow/pressure.
Any thoughts?
Appreciate this is a year old video.
Great video BTW.
Hi, Sorry, just seen your comment. What you describe sounds correct, although 20 seconds does seem quite fast for 130 litres.
Discharge time is dependant on the accumulator storage volume and also the discharge rate.
Check the accumulator charge pressure. versus water fill pressure. If it's too high, then it won't store much or any water!
what size for a family home is needed with 3 showers?
Hi, great video thanks. I am doing a loft extension and already have 2 bathrooms and will be adding another shower room to the loft. I have low pressure and flow on my main so cannot add an unvented cylinder and system boiler. Would I get away with installing the accumulator on its own for the 3 showers? Thanks
Hi, I presume you have a gravity system with a hot water cylinder. If so, an accumulator won't be the right solution. You need a twin impeller booster pump which would boost both the hot and cold supply to the showers.
The problem is connecting to old pipework that may not take the improved pressure.... if it’s a new install then all good but an older one would be squeaky bum time... 😜
What did it look like when you opened up the 22mm pipe?
Hi, sorry for the late response.
As expected, the larger 22mm outlet gave a much higher flow rate compared to the smaller 15mm outlet.
With this small demo accumulator, the boosted flow didn't last very long - several seconds if I recall correctly.
This is reinforces the importance of installing correctly sized accumulators.
You said the mains was 4.bar and 20l flow rate. What are the numbers with the accumulator?
We haven't measured the flow rate with this set-up, but expect it to be around of 60-80 l/m.
@@apexplumbingandheating5815 I have a system boiler, 300L megaflo, and water pressure at taps and shower is awful. My flow rate outside tap is 15L, mains is 15mm and shared with 3 houses..... What's the best option...upgrade mains to 25mm or an accumulator or pump? tnx
@@greenbanananas If you have good pressure (6 bar is ideal), then an accumulator will be best option to address flow rate issues issues.
Upgrading your supply pipe will usually improve the flow rate, but won't improve the static pressure. If you require pressure and flow, then a break tank and pump set may be the best option. (You can't pump more than 12l/m from the mains, hence the break tank). We would generally recommend a constant pressure variable speed pump.
Hope that helps.
@@apexplumbingandheating5815 only have a poor 2.5 bar pressure so that option sounds better. Thanks for the advice
joss