Well pump cycling longer

[brador]

It seems that the well pump is taking longer to refill the pressure tank. Investigating all this for the first time, I discovered: pressure tank shipped at 28psi, switch is for 30/50, actual cut-in/out is 30/60. Given cut-out is almost exactly 60psi, I assume someone set it that way. Before going through all the other rigmarole to see what's going on, could the switch have reset itself just through wear, vibration, etc?

Two other questions: (1) Is it OK to set pressure tank higher (max is 125psi), or (2) to set pressure switch designated for 30/50 up to 40/60?

Thanks!

 

[Speedbump]

You can set the switch differently if you like, just be sure to make the tanks pressure two lbs less than the cut in of the pump.

If the pump is running longer, it is probably due to a problem with the well or pump, not the tank.

Pressure switches don't adjust themselves and 30 - 60 is a setting some pros do to make the tank act a little bigger than it really is.

bob...

 

[Sponsor]

 

[brador]

Thanks, that all makes sense, I just don't like to presume and get into REAL trouble. I'll pay close attention to the cycling to see if it slows down more. Could even be my imagination, because when looking further, it seems like manufacturer's drawdown amounts at pressure and the time to refill (at 9GPM) are just about right.

Any advice on what else to look/listen for--clues as if well or pump are on their way out? (Besides not getting any water!)

BTW, pump and well are about 9 years old, the tank about 4 years old. And it's Nova Scotia--very wet.

Thanks again.

 

[Hube]

Pressure switches don't adjust themselves and 30 - 60 is a setting some pros do to make the tank act a little bigger than it really is.

bob...

************************************************************not true .The higher the pressure the less water it has.
Boyle's Law

 

[Valveman]

Any tank will deliver more draw down with 30 PSI between on and off, than if there is only 20 PSI between on and off.

 

[Hube]

your statement(imo) is not true.

 

[Wet_Boots]

your statement(imo) is not true.

Even Boyle would agree that 30 (differential) pounds of compression reduces the volume of air in a pressure tank more than 20 (differential) pounds of compression would, and that makes for a larger drawdown volume.

 

[Speedbump]

I don't even know Boyle but I know the statement is true.

bob...