DIY Dad
New Member
Hi all,
I've got a well system installed back around the Vietnam war that features a big steel pressure tank, and the system that is supposed to maintain the air cushion (snifter valve on the well head, and float valve in tank) has not worked for years despite my replacing all the parts. Every couple months I've got to go out and run a compressor to inject more air in the waterlogged tank to prevent the pump short cycling. And of course that doesn't always happen so of course every time I don't get around to it, I'm just putting that much more wear and tear on the pump and controller. Ideally I'd like to just get rid of the problem and replace with a bladder tank but there are a few unique things about this install.
First of all, this is a well system that feeds 4 households. So, it's more of a commercial sized system really, and always a bit of a negotiation when we need to fix stuff since we all have to pitch in. Here's the specs.
Well Depth 82’4”
Pump Set Depth 70’
Pump model 35JS3S4-PE
35GPM
40/60 pressure switch
3Hp
2" outlet line
Given the 35GPM and 40/60 pressure, and the large 3Hp pump, I've played around with the calculations a bit and to get a 2 min run time it seems like I'd need around a 264 Gallon bladder tank. That's about the size of the steel tank that's on the system, so seems feasible but I'd love to hear any opinions if my numbers seem wrong.
So, to the questions. Bladder tanks of that size seem...kind of expensive. And it seems like they go up exponentially in price beyond a certain size.
Is it possible to use a few smaller tanks in some sort of manifold scenario to accomplish the same amount of drawdown as a single bigger tank? If so, what are the pros and cons of that?
Is there a better alternative to this problem perhaps? Do any systems exist where I could buy a small compressor and have it periodically inject air? I've thought of trying to invent something with an Arduino and some sensors and relays, but I wonder if there's something I can just buy before I get too creative. Does some sort of reliable technology exist between the 1970's thing I have and modern but expensive bladder tanks?
I've got a well system installed back around the Vietnam war that features a big steel pressure tank, and the system that is supposed to maintain the air cushion (snifter valve on the well head, and float valve in tank) has not worked for years despite my replacing all the parts. Every couple months I've got to go out and run a compressor to inject more air in the waterlogged tank to prevent the pump short cycling. And of course that doesn't always happen so of course every time I don't get around to it, I'm just putting that much more wear and tear on the pump and controller. Ideally I'd like to just get rid of the problem and replace with a bladder tank but there are a few unique things about this install.
First of all, this is a well system that feeds 4 households. So, it's more of a commercial sized system really, and always a bit of a negotiation when we need to fix stuff since we all have to pitch in. Here's the specs.
Well Depth 82’4”
Pump Set Depth 70’
Pump model 35JS3S4-PE
35GPM
40/60 pressure switch
3Hp
2" outlet line
Given the 35GPM and 40/60 pressure, and the large 3Hp pump, I've played around with the calculations a bit and to get a 2 min run time it seems like I'd need around a 264 Gallon bladder tank. That's about the size of the steel tank that's on the system, so seems feasible but I'd love to hear any opinions if my numbers seem wrong.
So, to the questions. Bladder tanks of that size seem...kind of expensive. And it seems like they go up exponentially in price beyond a certain size.
Is it possible to use a few smaller tanks in some sort of manifold scenario to accomplish the same amount of drawdown as a single bigger tank? If so, what are the pros and cons of that?
Is there a better alternative to this problem perhaps? Do any systems exist where I could buy a small compressor and have it periodically inject air? I've thought of trying to invent something with an Arduino and some sensors and relays, but I wonder if there's something I can just buy before I get too creative. Does some sort of reliable technology exist between the 1970's thing I have and modern but expensive bladder tanks?