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In an effort to increase water pressure within the system we changed from a 20-40 psi to a 30-50 psi pressure switch with a low water cutoff and adjusted the expansion tank according to the posted specifications ie; 1-2 psi below the low end rating of the switch. Since switching we have had chronic “tripping” problems when there is a high demand on the system. For example flush the toilet and then turn on the shower. The switch will not always kick in when it hits the low end. One suggestion from someone that experienced similar problems was to put in a switch without the low water cutoff. The down side to this with a drilled well is that if the well runs dry, the pump will continue to run.
Does anyone have a solution to this problem?
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Replies
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Was the tank completely empty of water when you adjusted the air pressure on the bladder in the tank?
You need to shut the electricity to the pump off and relieve all pressure on the system by opening faucets until no more water runs. If you have a drain valve on the tank, it's a good idea to open it to make sure there is no more water in the tank, then adjust the air pressure. After you have done that, close all faucets and valves and turn the power to the pump back on.
*If I understand your problem correctly, it sounds like the pressure tank is empty of water before the pressure switch turns the pump on. If that is the case, you need to either reduce the pressure in the bladder of the pressure tank by a couple of pounds of pressure or bump the turn-on point of the pressure switch up. If there is any chance of the pump pulling the water level down to the point of sucking air, I would keep the low level cut-off pressure switch in the system.
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Thanks for the replys. The tank did have a drain on it and all of those procedures were used ie; totally draining system and power off to the pump. This is a deep well pump and as yet this problem still crops up. There is no vent on the water portion of the expansion tank. I suppose that it is possible that there is an air buble on the underside of the bladder since there is no way to bleed the tank once the drain valve is shut and the pump is restarted. Any thoughts?
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In an effort to increase water pressure within the system we changed from a 20-40 psi to a 30-50 psi pressure switch with a low water cutoff and adjusted the expansion tank according to the posted specifications ie; 1-2 psi below the low end rating of the switch. Since switching we have had chronic "tripping" problems when there is a high demand on the system. For example flush the toilet and then turn on the shower. The switch will not always kick in when it hits the low end. One suggestion from someone that experienced similar problems was to put in a switch without the low water cutoff. The down side to this with a drilled well is that if the well runs dry, the pump will continue to run.
Does anyone have a solution to this problem?