Well pump turning on and off

[MdJoe]

I recently purchased a home with a well water system. All was inspected in November and only needed a new tank. My pressure switch is set from 40psi to 60psi. The pressure switch is engaging to the energized position when it gets to 40psi. However, the pump will only run in 5lb increments with a minute between until 60psi when the switch cuts off. When my pressure drops to around 35psi, it just dives down to zero and I get air out of the lines once it gets back up to pressure. I am waiting on a well guy to check it out, bit does this sound like a bad pump?

Thanks for your input. Joe

 

[Reach4]

Good chance. Is your pump down the well? How about posting a photo that includes your pressure switch, pressure gauge, and the pipe from the well.

If you have a clamp-around ammeter, you might be able to get more info.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

Diving from 35 to zero means you have 35 PSI air in the tank, which is good. The pump is shutting off on overload, which takes a minute or so to reset itself. It is tripping the overload several times before it gets to 60 where the pressure switch keeps it shut off. Either the motor is bad, the voltage is low, or if it has a control box the capacitor is bad.

 

[MdJoe]

Diving from 35 to zero means you have 35 PSI air in the tank, which is good. The pump is shutting off on overload, which takes a minute or so to reset itself. It is tripping the overload several times before it gets to 60 where the pressure switch keeps it shut off. Either the motor is bad, the voltage is low, or if it has a control box the capacitor is bad.

Thank you! I was dreading that answer. I do not have a control box. First, the breaker it was on went bad. I replaced that. Today, the screw in fuse next to the pump power switch blew. I'm waiting on a well guy to get back to me and have a look. I was hoping maybe I just had low water due to no rain and frozen ground. Since a little rain on Monday, it will now pump it up 10lbs the first time it runs, then 5lb increments .

 

[Reach4]

the voltage is low

MdJoe, there is one you can check.

Probably not worth asking, but you don't have a box that shuts your pump down for a while when you run out of water, do you? Those exist, but you would have mentioned a box, even if its purpose was a mystery.

 

[MdJoe]

MdJoe, there is one you can check.

Probably not worth asking, but you don't have a box that shuts your pump down for a while when you run out of water, do you? Those exist, but you would have mentioned a box, even if its purpose was a mystery.

I don't believe so. I am a city guy and new to well water. The only thing is a box with a light switch and screw in fuse.

 

[MdJoe]

MdJoe, there is one you can check.

Probably not worth asking, but you don't have a box that shuts your pump down for a while when you run out of water, do you? Those exist, but you would have mentioned a box, even if its purpose was a mystery.

 

[Reach4]

The only thing is a box with a light switch and screw in fuse.

Yep, that's what you think it is. With a single fuse, your pump is probably a 115 volt pump. It would still be reasonable to check the voltage.

That metal thing just to the left of the pressure switch nipple and the PVC is a check valve. Usually you are better to not have one of those up top. It could mask certain problems. In particular, it is possible that your down pipe has a hole in it. How long does the pump run when you are getting those 5 PSI increments? It probably the pump, however.

 

[MdJoe]

Yep, that's what you think it is. With a single fuse, your pump is probably a 115 volt pump. It would still be reasonable to check the voltage.

That metal thing just to the left of the pressure switch nipple and the PVC is a check valve. Usually you are better to not have one of those up top. It could mask certain problems. In particular, it is possible that your down pipe has a hole in it. How long does the pump run when you are getting those 5 PSI increments? It probably the pump, however.

Pump runs about 30 seconds. Towards the end, it sounds like it's starving for water.

 

[Reach4]

Pumps have two labels, one for the pump, and one for the motor. I would take a photo of both if it is handy, but don't get in the way.

If the pump guy was not coming tomorrow, I would be thinking of trying to work around this by lowering the pressure on the pressure switch by maybe 5 psi, and also reducing the precharge on the pressure tank accordingly.

 

[MdJoe]

Pumps have two labels, one for the pump, and one for the motor. I would take a photo of both if it is handy, but don't get in the way.

If the pump guy was not coming tomorrow, I would be thinking of trying to work around this by lowering the pressure on the pressure switch by maybe 5 psi, and also reducing the precharge on the pressure tank accordingly.

I did not get a well guy to come out yet. My pump is submersible, and I have no idea how deep. I have been in the construction and electrical industry for over 20 years, but from what I've read, I prefer someone with pump experience if the pump needs to be pulled.

 

[Reach4]

Here is what I suggest for the temporary work-around: Turn the 3/8 nut, on the pressure switch, that is on the big spring, 2 turns counterclockwise. That should drop the pump pressures by about 6 psi on both cut-in and cut out. Adjust the air precharge to 32 psi if the new cut-in is 34 psi.

Or do 3.5 turns ccw for about 10 PSI lowering.

Start researching local well people.

When he pulls the pump, note the mark on the pipe where the waterline is. That would tell you the static level. Note how far down the pump is. You could probably just ask the pump guy. Put your notes near the pressure tank.

 

[MdJoe]

Here is what I suggest for the temporary work-around: Turn the 3/8 nut, on the pressure switch, that is on the big spring, 2 turns counterclockwise. That should drop the pump pressures by about 6 psi on both cut-in and cut out. Adjust the air precharge to 32 psi if the new cut-in is 34 psi.

Or do 3.5 turns ccw for about 10 PSI lowering.

Start researching local well people.

When he pulls the pump, note the mark on the pipe where the waterline is. That would tell you the static level. Note how far down the pump is. You could probably just ask the pump guy. Put your notes near the pressure tank.

There are notes on my wall next to that switch, but it says pump is 4.5-5 feet down. That seems too shallow to me.

 

[Reach4]

There are notes on my wall next to that switch, but it says pump is 4.5-5 feet down. That seems too shallow to me.

Is your well 3 or 4 ft in diameter?

 

[MdJoe]

Is your well 3 or 4 ft in diameter?

It says 18 inches.

 

[Reach4]

It says 18 inches.

Note that a pump in an 18 inch well should have a "flow inducer".

 

[MdJoe]

Note that a pump in an 18 inch well should have a "flow inducer".

What is that?

 

[Reach4]

Put "flow inducer", with the quotes, into the search box above.

 

[MdJoe]

No idea if I have that. It does look like the pump is new when I look in the well. New looking wires and a nice shiny pitless adapter

 

[Reach4]

They are easily fabricated, but not used often enough.