Rating of the best accumulators 2020: price review, reviews

Hydraulic accumulators are used to maintain constant pressure in the domestic water supply system when the pump is turned off. These devices extend the life of the pump, protect the water supply from water hammer, and even allow you to create a supply of water in case of an interruption in its supply. How to choose a hydraulic tank and which 10 accumulators were included in our independent Top, read on.

Types of accumulators

Accumulators can be:

1. mechanical - constant pressure is maintained in them due to the fact that a load or a compressed spring presses on the container with a liquid;
2. pneumatic - using compressed gas to maintain pressure. Pneumatic hydraulic tanks, in turn, are:

• balloon ones - the compressed gas in them is enclosed in a rubber balloon, around which the liquid is located;
• membrane - in them liquid and gas are separated by a rubber membrane;
• piston - here the gas displaces the liquid using a piston, like in a syringe.

In everyday life, pneumatic accumulators of various types are used, but, as a rule, these are membrane models.

What characteristics to look for when choosing a hydraulic accumulator

Layout. It can be horizontal or vertical. There is no fundamental difference between them, although horizontal hydraulic tanks are arranged a little more complicated than vertical ones, but they provide for the possibility of installing an additional pump. The main thing is that convenient access to the hydraulic tank is provided, so the configuration of the equipment must be selected based on the characteristics of the room.

Operating pressure. It is believed that a pressure of 1 atmosphere is required to raise water 10 meters. For example, if the upper water intake point in a two-story house is set at a height of 5 meters, then to maintain a constant pressure, the hydraulic tank needs 0.5 atmospheres. In addition, if the accumulator is installed in the basement, then one more atmosphere is added to this indicator, which is necessary to raise the water upward. Typically, the working pressure of these devices is between 1 and 3 atmospheres, and the maximum pressure that they can withstand does not exceed 10 atmospheres.

Volume. The large volume of the hydraulic tank makes it possible to compensate for large water flows from several points. When choosing a hydraulic accumulator, remember that water takes up only about half of its internal volume - the rest is discharged to compressed gas. So a 100-liter tank in practice means a reserve of only around 50 liters.

Usually, for a small country house with 3 points of water intake and a pump capacity of no more than 2 cubic meters of water per hour, a 24-liter hydraulic tank is enough. If the capacity is increased to 3.5 cubic meters per hour, and the number of water intake points is up to 5, then a 50-liter hydroaccumulator will be needed. Finally, a large house in which a family of 3 or more people permanently lives, and the pump capacity exceeds 5 cubic meters of water per hour, it is better to equip a hydraulic tank of 100 liters. This volume will allow you not to worry about pressure drops in the system and even save a small supply of water in case of an emergency (even if the hydraulic tanks are not designed for this).

Membrane. If the hydraulic tank is planned to be used in the drinking water supply system, it must be equipped with a special replaceable safe membrane made of environmentally friendly rubber. Hydroaccumulators for hot water supply have a non-replaceable membrane for technical purposes.

Top 10 accumulators

The best hydraulic accumulator for 200 liters

1. Reflex N 200/6

Diaphragm accumulator with non-replaceable diaphragm. Designed for vertical installation in closed systems of both hot and cold water supply. Able to work with water with temperatures from 0 to 70 degrees and withstand a maximum pressure of 6 bar. The volume of the accumulator is an impressive 200 liters, so it will be enough to organize heating and water supply even in a large private house. With all its capabilities, the device costs very moderately - in the region of 17,000 rubles.

Price: ₽ 17 320

Reflex N 200/6

The best hydraulic accumulator for 150 liters

2. Wester WAV 150 150 l

Vertical accumulator with a volume of 150 liters. Suitable for both hot and cold water supply and is able to fully meet the needs of even a large house with several points of water intake. The maximum working pressure of the hydraulic tank is 10 bar. The manufacturer promises the device at least 5 years of flawless service. As the disadvantages of this hydraulic tank, one can single out only too short legs, which complicate the organization of the lower eyeliner, and the tendency to slightly exceed the set pressure. Otherwise, this unit at a price of about 8,000 rubles does not cause any complaints.

Price: ₽ 8 210

Wester WAV 150 150 l

Best vertical accumulator

3. Wester WAV 100 100 l

This accumulator can be safely called the "younger brother" of the previous model. It is produced by the same manufacturer and belongs to the same line of devices, but it has a smaller volume (100 liters instead of 150 for the device above) and, accordingly, the price (5500 rubles instead of 7000 thousand). Otherwise, it is the same, in fact, a device designed to work with hot and cold water, with a vertical installation and a maximum operating pressure of 10 bar. Unfortunately, the not very high-quality rubber from which the membrane is made is not suitable for drinking water.

Price: ₽ 5 403

Wester WAV 100 100 l

The best hydraulic accumulator for 100 liters

4. Reflex NG 100 (8001411) 100 l

Expansion tank with a volume of 100 liters, designed primarily for work in heating systems, but also great for cold water supply. Installed vertically. The maximum working pressure is 6 bar (normal - 1.5 bar), the maximum temperature is 120 degrees. The tank is covered with a safe and environmentally friendly polymer that protects it from corrosion. They ask for about 8,000 rubles for the device, which seems to be a completely rational proposal for a hydraulic tank capable of completely taking care of the stability of the water supply system of the whole house.

Price: ₽ 8 200

Reflex NG 100 (8001411) 100 l

The best hydraulic accumulator with an automatic unit

5. JILEX Crab 50 50 l

Vertical hydroaccumulator with an automation unit costing about 5500 rubles. The volume of the hydraulic tank is 50 liters, which is enough to meet the needs of the cold water supply system in a small private house. The maximum working pressure is 5.5 bar, the temperature range of the working medium is from 1 to 35 degrees. The electronics control the pump automatically. Pre-filtration of water is provided. The kit includes everything you need for assembly, installation and use, including ball valve, check valve, pressure gauge, pressure switch, cartridge filter and filter change calendar.

Price: ₽ 5 560

JILEX Crab 50 50 l

The best hydraulic accumulator for heating

6. JILEX 80 80 l

80 liter hydroaccumulator designed for installation in heating systems. Vertical layout. The body is made of 1 mm thick high quality steel and coated with UV-resistant paint. There is a replaceable flange with the possibility of replacing a diaphragm made of elastic material, an air valve for pressure control and a special platform for mounting the pump. It can work with both surface and submersible pumps. The manufacturer promises that this hydraulic tank, which costs about 4,500 rubles, will last at least 10 years - a kind of record.

Price: ₽ 4 490

JILEX 80 80 l

The best hydraulic accumulator for 80 liters

7. STOUT STW-0003-000080 80 l

Hydraulic accumulator of horizontal layout with a volume of 80 liters. Designed for installation in water supply systems. The maximum working pressure is 10 bar. The kit lacks only a reinforced hose (according to the manufacturer, now engineers are just working on such a possibility). For the rest, it is an excellent universal device that will fit into place in any small house with its own plumbing. The price of the device is quite acceptable for its parameters - about 4000 rubles.

Price: ₽ 4 000

STOUT STW-0003-000080 80 l

The best 50 liter hydroaccumulator

8. JILEX 50 g 50 l

And this 50-liter hydroaccumulator can be bought for only 3200 rubles. It is installed in the water supply system and protects the pump from too frequent switching on, and the pipeline from water hammer. Suitable for hot water supply systems with a working pressure not exceeding 8 atmospheres. Installed horizontally. There is a platform for mounting the pump, a replaceable diaphragm made of elastic material, an air valve for pressure control. A decent choice for a small private home with no more than five points of water intake.

Price: ₽ 3 220

JILEX 50 g 50 l

Best horizontal accumulator

9. STOUT STW-0003-000050 50 l

Hydraulic accumulator of horizontal configuration, installed in the water supply system. The volume of the hydraulic tank is 50 liters, so its capacity is quite enough for any small house with a family of three or four people. The maximum working pressure is 10 bar, the maximum working temperature is 100 degrees. It features a minimum air supply, no loss of working medium, a natural rubber membrane, which allows the use of a hydraulic tank in drinking water supply. The price of the issue is a rather modest 3,500 rubles.

Price: ₽ 3 469

STOUT STW-0003-000050 50 l

The best inexpensive 24 liter hydraulic accumulator

10. VORTEX GA-24 24 l

A small and inexpensive accumulator with a volume of 24 liters, the functionality of which will be enough for a small house with three water intake points. Installed horizontally. Designed for water supply. The maximum working pressure reaches 6 bar, the working water temperature is from 1 to 45 degrees. The replaceable diaphragm is made of food grade rubber, while the body and flange are made of high quality steel. Despite the low price in the region of 1,300 rubles, this is a very worthy device that will protect the pump from frequent switching on, and the water supply system from water hammer.

Price: ₽ 1 195

VORTEX GA-24 24 l

FAQ

Can the accumulator deliver a pressure greater than the pressure delivered by the pump?
No. The accumulator does not create pressure, but only accumulates it. If the pressure on the hydraulic tank is set higher than the pump can give out, then the only thing this will lead to is a pump breakdown.

Why does the accumulator hit the wall very hard when the pump is turned on?
The point is the water hammer. Most likely, the accumulator is poorly secured.

Can two membrane tanks (accumulators) be combined into one system?
Yes. You can combine any number of accumulators - they will work as one large volume.