Need a bit more help with well pump/pressure gauge/tank, please!

MaggieJ · #1 04/18/08, 10:23 AM

A few days ago, I posted about our well pump not working and people here were so helpful. Thank you all! We are going to replace the pressure switch.
Water pump problems - Advice needed, please!

I have some more questions though.

Our pressure switch is designed to shut off at 50 psi. What should be the cut in point? Is there supposed to be a 20 pound difference between the two numbers? How much pressure should be in the tank? (I don't think it is a bladder tank. It is one with a valve on the top and you pump air into it with a bicycle pump.)

VALENT · #2 04/18/08, 11:47 AM

Usually, 20 pounds difference is about right. Some pressure switches are automatically a 20 pound difference, some can be adjusted. The tanks with the valve on top are the bladder tanks. 2lbs less than cut in pressure is the setting for the tank(this should be done empty.)

agmantoo · #3 04/18/08, 11:56 AM

As stated above, the differential is usually 20 PSI. Switches come preset at 20-40, 30-40, 40-60 and you can set them yourself. The switches are all the same with different settings. For some unjustified reason some sellers charge more or less based on the setting.
What did you find wrong with the well?

VALENT · #4 04/18/08, 12:06 PM

agmantoo, do you ever come across the switches which would let you change cut off and cut on pressures independently. They used to be very common here but I havent been able to find a new one of this type for years.

agmantoo · #5 04/18/08, 12:38 PM

I can only change the cutout pressure but the differential is going to remain close to the 20 PSI below the cutout. If you have a submersible pump with a lot of output pressure there is a device that will give you a nearly constant delivery and will hold the pump on until the demand is satisfied. It is called a cycle stop valve.

MaggieJ · #6 04/18/08, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VALENT

Usually, 20 pounds difference is about right. Some pressure switches are automatically a 20 pound difference, some can be adjusted. The tanks with the valve on top are the bladder tanks. 2lbs less than cut in pressure is the setting for the tank(this should be done empty.)

Thanks, that helps, Valent. Shows how much I know about these things, doesn't it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

As stated above, the differential is usually 20 PSI. Switches come preset at 20-40, 30-40, 40-60 and you can set them yourself. The switches are all the same with different settings. For some unjustified reason some sellers charge more or less based on the setting.
What did you find wrong with the well?

Thanks for clarifying that for us, Agmantoo.

We're pretty sure you were right about it being grunge. I can't get down cellar to check it myself and Brian has been sick and then tied up with other things, so we are "making do" with running the pump once a day (my son gets the lovely job of going down there to tap it) and filling containers until he can get to it. Brian should be able to get it fixed over the weekend.

js2743 · #7 04/18/08, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VALENT

agmantoo, do you ever come across the switches which would let you change cut off and cut on pressures independently. They used to be very common here but I havent been able to find a new one of this type for years.

square d still makes them i use the low pressure cut off ones you can change which ever setting you need to on them. they will cut off if your pressure drops below 20 psi i think it is so your pump dont burn out.