Extra Large Expansion Tank for R31

[watson1987]

I found a great spot to install an extra large expansion tank on the R31, at least the PNW version without the generator.

https://imgur.com/a/kxdnYSM

Here is the tank if anyone else is interested
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IR ... UTF8&psc=1

I used about a 2-foot-long piece of PEX to tie the rear shower water supply line. I used a tee splice to make this connection. I also added a quick threaded connection to make it easier to purge this for the winter, as I usually drain the outside sink and rear shower line.

I used Watts Aqua Lock connectors for the threaded connection and the tee, but I used a brass shark bite to connect to the tank. I opted for the shark bite because I didn't want the metal to stress the plastic threads. You should never use a plastic female fitting over a metal male fitting. Even though this is the opposite connection type, I still wanted to avoid it.

In the photos, you can also see an existing storage bin I've attached to where the generator is typically. I used t-nuts and a liberal amount of 5200 for those holes. I drilled holes in the storage bin and use bolts and washers, it isn't going anywhere. Great storage spot without concern of things falling into the rudder or prop assemblies.

Happy cruising

 

[Mike and Sarah]

Nice install. What is your experience in pump run times since the install? I have a smaller accumulator installed right at the pump and like the improvement in the pump cycling but I assume your install would cut cycling much more. Less cycling also increases the life of the pump pressure switch.

 

[watson1987]

I was in the same boat 😀 I also have one of those small 0.5L accumulator tanks right beside the pump because that is all that fits. I haven't remove it.

It runs 30-40 seconds with the kitchen faucet full before kicking on. I didn't want to waste any flushes on my empty holding tank, but I expect/hope to be able to use the head in the middle of the night a few times without kicking on.

 

[watson1987]

Another thing to note is that since it is in the engine bay, I might need to decrease the pressure in the tank a bit more to account for the increase in air temperature causing expansion in the tank when the engine is on. I haven't run the engine since mounting, and I haven't adjusted the tank's pressure from whatever it came with stock from the factory.

 

[Sea-X]

I found a great spot to install an extra large expansion tank on the R31, at least the PNW version without the generator.

https://imgur.com/a/kxdnYSM

Here is the tank if anyone else is interested
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IR ... UTF8&psc=1

I used about a 2-foot-long piece of PEX to tie the rear shower water supply line. I used a tee splice to make this connection. I also added a quick threaded connection to make it easier to purge this for the winter, as I usually drain the outside sink and rear shower line.

I used Watts Aqua Lock connectors for the threaded connection and the tee, but I used a brass shark bite to connect to the tank. I opted for the shark bite because I didn't want the metal to stress the plastic threads. You should never use a plastic female fitting over a metal male fitting. Even though this is the opposite connection type, I still wanted to avoid it.

In the photos, you can also see an existing storage bin I've attached to where the generator is typically. I used t-nuts and a liberal amount of 5200 for those holes. I drilled holes in the storage bin and use bolts and washers, it isn't going anywhere. Great storage spot without concern of things falling into the rudder or prop assemblies.

Happy cruising

Thank you very much for this post, I've just installed the expansion tank on Sea-X and very happy with the results. The running of the pump for every use was driving me mad.