I have two flotec shallow well pumps.
Both have pressure switches on them. Supposedly both set at the same settings. 30 to 50 psi.
-Without- an expansion tank…
One pump will come on, any time that a faucet is opened. And will run until the faucet is closed. At which time it promptly turns off.
The other pump, pulses.
The pulses are not immediate, like a hammer drill. The pulses last for maybe half a second.
On half a second, off, on half a second, off, on half a second, off.
The off times do not last for any significant time. As soon as it clicks off, it immediately clicks back on. It is the on time, with water flowing, that lasts a half second or so.
I do not want to put an expansion tank in the works.
Is there anything else I can do so that I can have constant, smooth flowing water on demand, like the other pump does ?
Replies
A leak somewhere? Or maybe a tired pressure switch.
I wonder why no pressure tank. All that oning and offing has got to be hard on the mechanisms.
Pressure tank.
Don't have one. Can't afford one.
The other pump is a one hp pump. This one is a 1/2 hp pump. Both, flotec shallow well pumps.
I'd kind of like to have a 30 gallon or so, pressure/expansion tank on the other system.
That one is just waiting on the budget.
But, if I had a pressure tank, I'd prefer not to have one in this particular system anyway.
It will be seldom used.
And the simpler, the better.
Thanks again, for your reply.
That sounds like normal operation if you don't have a pressure tank. Don't plan on the switch and the pump lasting long
That was a fast reply ! Thanks.
No leaks.
I checked for that.
It is a very short, test setup, right now.
Completely checked, very easily.
Tired pressure switch is something I am going to check into.
Looks like that particular item, has been replaced on this pump, before.
Luka,
File the contacts on the switch and check your wiring connections. Watch the switch as it pulses.
Use an old water heater as a pressure tank, just orient so it has an air bubble.
KK
Luka, I believe you can use the same old valve stem that fits things like wheelbarrow tires etc. They are somewhat smaller than the automotive valve stems, and are available everywhere that sells automotive valve stems. Drill a hole and just pop it in.
There are special things to pull the stem into place but they aren't necessary. You'll figure it out.
I'd unscrew the schrader valve from the stem, run a length of string through it and tie something onto the string to pull the valve into the hole. Maybe use coat hanger wire instead.
The way you describe the pulsing, I suspect you need to increase the spread between the pressure settings. Raise the high limit a bit while keeping the low limit essentially unchanged.
Raising the overall pressure might help -- you want it so that the pump doesn't cut off at your "sprinkler" flow rate, and raising the pressure both increases the flow through the sprinkler (or whatever) and lowers the flow rate through the pump. You need to find a point (within the capacity of both pump and switch) where the two flow rate curves cross -- that will be your "steady-state" pressure. So long as the steady-state pressure is below the upper limit the pump won't shut off.
(And my recollection (from 40 years ago) is that if you look closely there **is** sometimes a "spread" adjustment -- just not as obvious and easy to reach as the master pressure adjustment.)
As for the tank, forget about the Shraeder valve --- just attach the tank upside down to the plumbing, but with a drain valve very close by. Enough air will be trapped in the tank to do the job, though you may have to drain it every few weeks.
Bad thing is that they actually put odorant tablets in some of the tanks -- I don't think the BBQ ones, but the larger ones. Could take a long time for one of those to dissolve.