First time well for irrigation issues

[Michael Gauthier]

I am working on a well that is about 20' deep and we are not getting enough pressure to make a lawn sprinkler work.

This system
20' well
above ground 3/4 HP pump
10 gal pressure tank
pressure switch is fixed type at 20 - 40 PSI
We drained the tank of all water, then pressurized it to 18 PSI.
The highest point in the yard is only 12' above the pump.

This setup shoots water out an impact sprinkler head only about 4'.

Do I need a different pressure switch, pump, tank, something else?

 

[Reach4]

Twelve feet above the pump?

Adjust the air precharge to 45 first. Maybe be rid of the pressure switch, bypass the pressure switch, or get a pressure switch you can adjust to 50/70.

I am not a pro.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

What kind of well? Are you driving a sand point?

 

[Michael Gauthier]

It is a water well with the intake a couple feet off the bottom.
Yes, the highest sprinkler head is 12' above the pump.

"Adjust the air precharge to 45 first.". Adjusting that air pressure higher will require the low point of the pressure switch to be adjusted to right?

Current:
Air Psi
18

Sw Psi
20-40

Proposed:
Air Psi
45

Sw Psi
50-70

 

[Valveman]

Ok then, if you can see down the well to the intake, is there any water in the well?

 

[Reach4]

When you adjust a common adjustable pressure switch, turn the 3/8 nut on the big spring CW about 3.5 turns for every 10 PSI of increase desired.

Make sure that the pump is able to shut off within a minute after you stop using water.

 

[Michael Gauthier]

Yes, there is lots of water in the well, it is about 3' above the intake.

On my previous question, I am thinking that if I increase the air pressure, I need to adjust the low switch pressure to be a a few psi higher than the air pressure. Is that a correct assumption?

 

[Reach4]

Yes, there is lots of water in the well, it is about 3' above the intake.

On my previous question, I am thinking that if I increase the air pressure, I need to adjust the low switch pressure to be a a few psi higher than the air pressure. Is that a correct assumption?

About 5 psi below cut-in for a jet pump.

Three feet is not very much.

 

[Michael Gauthier]

Thanks for the answer to the question on pressures.

It never get down to the intake, and this is the hottest and driest part of the years here in TX. It will be up another 2 feet or so when it rains again.

 

[Valveman]

If you know the foot valve is under water then you have a pump problem. Either the jet nozzle is clogged, the foot valve is stuck closed, there is a suction leak, or the pump is just not working properly. Test the pump circulating water in a bucket and see if it works at 20/40. The pump you have probably won't even build 40/60 or 50/70.

 

[Michael Gauthier]

The pump is new, so no clog there. The intake may be leaking so that is worth checking. Gonna spend $12 for a new adjustable pressure switch too.

 

[Valveman]

Jump across the pressure switch and run it direct until you get it going. The pressure switch is not the problem.