Pressure switch cycling about every 10 seconds

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sabiduria

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The pressure valve reads around 65 psi so I let some air out but it does not seem to go down any - maybe the pressure valve is not working. The cycling has come down though to about every 50 seconds.

it is a goulds pumps v140 pressure tank

does anyone knows what the pressure should be and how often does the pressure switch should cycle?

Thanks
 

Reach4

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The air precharge should be set with the water pressure=0.

With a submersible pump, set the precharge to 2 PSI less than the cut-on pressure. With a jet pump, make that 3 or 4 PSI.

Having the pump stay on at least a minute each time would be better, but 50 seconds is not bad.
 

Valveman

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Adding air to the tank usually increases pump run time. If letting air out of the tank increased run time, the bladder in the tank is probably bad. One minute of run time is really the minimum for a pump running at service factor amps.
 

sabiduria

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18 PSI is not enough air if the pressure switch is working at 45/65. If the pump starts at 45, then you want about 40-43 air pressure in the tank.
Also a V140 should hold about 12 gallons of water as the pressure drops from 65 to 45. After getting the air right you can do a bucket test to see if the tank is really giving 12 gallons as it should.
 

Bgard

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you have a 20/40 switch but your gauge reads 65 psi I think that the gauge is one issue, you may also have a blockage in the pipe between the pressure switch and the tank
 

LLigetfa

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you have a 20/40 switch but your gauge reads 65 psi
The switch can be adjusted to different cut-in and cut-out. That said, never trust a single gauge and also never trust that your air pressure gauge will read the same as the water pressure gauge.

When the pump has reached cut-off pressure, check to see if the air pressure on the bladder matches the water pressure which it should. Then you will know that the air precharge will not be far off.

Always add air when the water pressure is zero and the draincock is open. As Cary said, between 2 and 5 PSI lower than the cut-in. 2 PSI for a sub, 5 PSI for a jet.
 

sabiduria

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valveman/bgard,

I measured the pressure with a tire pressure gauge I had. I think, as mentioned above, the installed pressure gauge is not working as the gauge did not change when I was putting air to the pressure thank.

Should I change the installed pressure valve?
 

LLigetfa

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I think, as mentioned above, the installed pressure gauge is not working as the gauge did not change when I was putting air to the pressure thank.
If you followed proper procedure as I outlined above to add air, the pressure gauge should have read zero and should not have changed with the draincock open. If you did not follow proper procedure, the current state of your system is dubious at best. Turn off the pump, drain the tank, and follow the procedure I outlined.
 

Bgard

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I know that the switch can be adjusted, I thought I saw that he replaced the switch and it looks new in the picture, also the adjustment is pretty close to the top of the stud which in my experience is a lower pressure setting than 45/65. I would replace the gauge in order to get a better handle on what is really happening.
 

Reach4

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Also, tire pressure gauges can vary significantly. You might ask your tire shop to compare yours to theirs.
 

sabiduria

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This is what I did:

- Replaced the pressure valve that indeed it was bad.
- After replacing the pressure valve and with the closest faucet open, check the tank air and it was as left it the day before yesterday - around 18 psi so no air was added.
- Turned on the pump and these are my findings:

- Indeed, while the pump is on, the pressure goes up to about 35 psi and the cuts off.
- while is off, the pressure goes down to around 20 psi and then the switch turns on and the pressure goes up to around 35 psi and then it cuts off.
- The timing is about the same as the day before yesterday - about 30 seconds on and about a minute off.

any other suggestions?
 

Reach4

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Good progress.
After replacing the pressure valve and with the closest faucet open, check the tank air and it was as left it the day before yesterday - around 18 psi so no air was added.
That would indicate that there is probably not a tank failure. It may be undersized vs your pump.

The timing is about the same as the day before yesterday - about 30 seconds on and about a minute off.
Normal would be to stay off, until you use water. If you are not using water during the cycling, there is a leak somewhere. There will be a valve closing off the the water to the house. Turn off that valve. If you still get cycling, you have a leak. Where is the pump?
 

LLigetfa

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the pressure goes down to around 20 psi and then the switch turns on and the pressure goes up to around 35 psi and then it cuts off.
A normal delta is 20 PSI, not 15. I would adjust the small spring on the pressure switch to increase the delta so it shuts off at 40 PSI.

Depending on how much pressure the pump is capable of, I might adjust the big spring to change it to 30/50. Of course I would also up the air to 28.
 

Reach4

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yes, it is a submersible pump.
Did you try turning off the valve to the rest of the home to see if the cycling stops?

Or were you running water intentionally during the cycling?
 

sabiduria

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A normal delta is 20 PSI, not 15. I would adjust the small spring on the pressure switch to increase the delta so it shuts off at 40 PSI.

can I adjust the small spring while the pump is on?

Depending on how much pressure the pump is capable of, I might adjust the big spring to change it to 30/50. Of course I would also up the air to 28.

How do I know the pump's pressure capability?
 
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