•The accumulator works just like a water tank on a well
system. It is pre-charged to a
•certain pressure with nitrogen (I chose 750 PSI) to
operate the cylinders without
•calling for the pump to energize at every movement
request. Your data may vary due
•to piston size and weight of your antenna system.
•
•I run the pressure at 1250 PSI max and it drops to about
1000 PSI before the pump
•starts and charges the accumulator back to 1250
PSI.
•
•I use two flow control valves metered in one direction
and full flow in the other for two
•reasons. One is the volume of fluid required to extend
the cylinder is more than you need
•to retract it, and secondly, you can control for uneven
weight distribution.
•
•To my knowledge, I am the only EME station using this
particular method and so far, it
•has been trouble free and works excellent. I do leave
power to the pump on 24/7.
•I do this to maintain constant pressure and assure no
air gets into the loop.