Well pump wont switch on...

[Laura Cleversley]

Heeeelllooooo,

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I have a 1/2 HP mastercraft shallowwell pump.
Everything has been working fine until recently.
The pump will attempt to turn on at the proper psi (20) but will "chatter" and not engage.
I have bought a new (2 actually) pressure switch and did the swap, did not work.
I checked tubes and piping for build up and found none.
Checked pressure on pressure tank. (Sitting at 38PSI, 2 under the cut off of 40PSI)

My guess is now something to do with the electrical/wiring side??!!

All wires look fine, I've quadruple checked to make sure they are connected in the right spots.

Any clue before I call in the pros?

L.

 

[Reach4]

The pump will attempt to turn on at the proper psi (20) but will "chatter" and not engage.

Chattering usually means that the pressure switch is not sensing close enough to the pressure tank, but I think your problem is mostly something else.

Is that little 4 gallon tank your pressure tank for the well? You really should have a much bigger one, unless you have a CSV hiding back there somewhere.

Lower the air precharge to 15 psi. I know that will help.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Laura Cleversley]

Chattering usually means that the pressure switch is not sensing close enough to the pressure tank, but I think your problem is mostly something else.

Is that little 4 gallon tank your pressure tank for the well? You really should have a much bigger one, unless you have a CSV hiding back there somewhere.

Lower the air precharge to 15 psi. I know that will help.

This is all I have here under the sink aside from the hot water tank.
Just purchased this older home a few months ago. Still getting to know all its "quirks", haha.

What size pressure tank do you suggest? However not sure where I would put anything bigger!?

I'll try lowering the precharge see if that helps.

Thank you so much

L.

 

[Valveman]

The tank probably had the correct 15 PSI air charge to begin with. Now it has 38 PSI because the bladder is torn and it is full of water. That will also make it "chatter" and trip the overload. You will probably need a new tank, and like has been said, that one is not large enough unless used with a Cycle Stop Valve.

 

[Bannerman]

Is the bare ground wire in the pressure switch connected to the same terminal the White/Black wire from the pump is connected to?

This will not cause your chatter issue but I noticed what appears to be a wiring error that does not comply with Ont electrical code.