dsk
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I've read several threads on this forum with information relating to setting the the pressure switch in relationship to the air bladder's internal pressure. But none of them come from situations similar to mine, so I'll ask the question again, from my own recent experience.
I just installed my pressure tank and pressure switch. The switch I ordered is a 40-60, and the pressure tank was "supposed" to be set at 38 psi from the factory. In fact it had lost some pressure and only contains 35 psi. But that should be ok, right? Because at 40 psi the pressure switch will cut in and the tank should fill to 60 psi before the switch cuts off.
Well in reality that's not how it's working.
After wiring up the pressure switch and hitting the power the switch closed and the tank began filling. It finally cut off, but not at 60 psi. It cut off at 55 psi. Hmmm...
So I opened the drain on the tank, wide open, and let the water flow full blast. I watched the water pressure gauge and it dropped to 40 psi, and then kept going... the switch didn't close and the pump didn't come on.
At 35 psi on the gauge the water stopped, and the pressure gauge dropped to zero, the tank had fully emptied. But still the pump didn't come on.
I didn't have the pressure switch cap off so I couldn't see when the switch actually closed, but about 5 to 10 seconds after the tank would hit zero pressure the pump would finally kick on and pressure would rise to 55 psi, then the pump would be shut off.
I did this several times and it was very repeatable. Finally I did it by emptying the tank at a more leisurely rate (not full blast), and when the pressure got down to 40, the pressure switch would kick on and the tank refill (but only to 55 psi).
So this leaves me wondering about a few things...
First, why doesn't the pressure switch kick in at 40 psi when I drain the tank fast?
Second, why does it only fill to 55 psi and not to 60?
Third, does it matter that my tanks air pressure is 35 psi and not 38?
Fourth, why is there a 5 to 10 second pause before the rpessure switch/pump turns on after the tank has completely emptied?
And fifth, what steps should I walk through to preperly set up the pressure tank/switch to operate properly (at 40 to 60 psi)?
This forum has been a tremendous wealth of information and without it I couldn't have accomplished this entire well installation. I really appreciate all the generous feedback that so many people have given, and I hope this post will serve to answer the questions of other DIY'ers in the future.
Thanks,
DSK
I just installed my pressure tank and pressure switch. The switch I ordered is a 40-60, and the pressure tank was "supposed" to be set at 38 psi from the factory. In fact it had lost some pressure and only contains 35 psi. But that should be ok, right? Because at 40 psi the pressure switch will cut in and the tank should fill to 60 psi before the switch cuts off.
Well in reality that's not how it's working.
After wiring up the pressure switch and hitting the power the switch closed and the tank began filling. It finally cut off, but not at 60 psi. It cut off at 55 psi. Hmmm...
So I opened the drain on the tank, wide open, and let the water flow full blast. I watched the water pressure gauge and it dropped to 40 psi, and then kept going... the switch didn't close and the pump didn't come on.
At 35 psi on the gauge the water stopped, and the pressure gauge dropped to zero, the tank had fully emptied. But still the pump didn't come on.
I didn't have the pressure switch cap off so I couldn't see when the switch actually closed, but about 5 to 10 seconds after the tank would hit zero pressure the pump would finally kick on and pressure would rise to 55 psi, then the pump would be shut off.
I did this several times and it was very repeatable. Finally I did it by emptying the tank at a more leisurely rate (not full blast), and when the pressure got down to 40, the pressure switch would kick on and the tank refill (but only to 55 psi).
So this leaves me wondering about a few things...
First, why doesn't the pressure switch kick in at 40 psi when I drain the tank fast?
Second, why does it only fill to 55 psi and not to 60?
Third, does it matter that my tanks air pressure is 35 psi and not 38?
Fourth, why is there a 5 to 10 second pause before the rpessure switch/pump turns on after the tank has completely emptied?
And fifth, what steps should I walk through to preperly set up the pressure tank/switch to operate properly (at 40 to 60 psi)?
This forum has been a tremendous wealth of information and without it I couldn't have accomplished this entire well installation. I really appreciate all the generous feedback that so many people have given, and I hope this post will serve to answer the questions of other DIY'ers in the future.
Thanks,
DSK