Well problem- pressure cycling rapidly

[Jenn]

My well seems to be cycling on and off like every 3 seconds just started yesterday. I noted wavering water pressure, and while repairing the end of a cheap hose which blew out I realized I hear the pump or power cycling off/on not just the hose failing. No change with draining tank with power (circuit breaker) off and restarting.

I think you all told me what this was a few years back, or maybe it was some other problem- bladder in tank suspected then but turned out not to be. Advice again please! Thanks- I am searching for the old thread as well.

[Jenn]

Fordy's old description makes me think it could be the check valve. " .................Several things can cause a problem , (1) the newer pressure tanks contain an air bladder that has to be inflated thru a valve stem on top of the tank , just like a tire . The bladder should be inflated WITHOUT any water in the tank , too 2psi Below the kickin pressure setup on the pressure switch , so most water pressure switches are preset at 40psi kickin and 60psi kickout ! As the pump fills the tank with water the air bladder is compressed until 60 psi is reached and the switch turns off the pump motor . The reverse process causes the switch too turn the pump , ON .
.................(2)There is a Check valve that allows water too travel in one direction , towards the pressure tank . This is necessary too keep water from flowing backwards , back into the well bore when the pump motor is turned off . If it malfunctions , the pump will start pumping and shutting off , the water will backflow quickly and the pump will immediately be turned back on ; this cycle will continue until the pump motor gets hot , starts pulling too much current and eventually the breaker will switch off .
..................(3)the pump motor or the pump iself maybe malfunctioning and need replacement , one of the three is causing your problem . , fordy"

[Alice In TX/MO]

Ours does that when the control switch mechanism is failing. We keep an extra on hand at all times.

[Rustaholic]

Are you sure the bladder is not damaged or uninflated?
That is exactly how mine would act with the old tank that had no bladder when it needed more air put in it.

[farmrbrown]

First check your bladder tank with a tire gage, that's close to accurate enough for now, with the pump off and water drained. Should be 38 psi if your pressure switch is a 4O/6O.

Then check out your pressure switch.

Before you go tearing everything else apart, check out the line going into the pressure switch for a sediment clog.
I learned THAT one the hard way..........

[doing it in NM]

I would cut the water off going out and see if it still does it. That way you can tell which side you need to be checking, it may be a busted pipe and can't keep up.

[haypoint]

broken water line or, more likely, the air in the holding tank is gone.

[agmantoo]

This is a submersible pump isn't it? If so do as doing it in NM said above. If the problem still exists then the main pipe inside the well casing has a hole ruptured in it or the check valve at the pump has debris in it allowing drain back.

[Harry Chickpea]

With one of my HF pump sets coming from the cistern to the house (slight water pressure at the pump) this is exactly what happens if I don't place a check valve between the pump and cistern. The short cycling is constant.

If the bladder is busted, the short cycling only occurs when drawing water.

[Jenn]

Thanks all!