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Tony Paige · Oct 22, 2008, 08:47 AM

Hi, Maybe someone can help me with this.

I have a 40/60 D pumptrol switch that seems to turn on and off ever 2 seconds or so whenever I turn the water on. This problem only started about 3 or 4 days ago. The pressure also seems to flucuate with the clicking of the pump.

When the pump switch turns on, the pressure goes up to 60 within seconds and then turns off. It immediately goes down to just under 40 (around 38) and turns right back on. I removed the cap and watched the contacts turn on and off continuosly.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking it is a bad switch because there is black residue from the contacts on the right side of the pump both on the contacts and the inside of the cap.
( I think near screw 1).

I also read other posts about pressure in the tank, but was not sure how to go about fixing that (if that is even the problem). I hope this post makes sense. Can someone help me?

Thanks in advance for your expertise!

Tony

:rolleyes:

speedball1 · Oct 22, 2008, 10:24 AM

The fact that it pumps up to pressure, shuts off and then imminently loses it tells me that you have a faulty check or foot valve that allowing the water to go back down in the well. But wait! This could also indicate a leak on the pressure side as well as the suction side. To check which one turn the supply off to the house. If the pump pumps up to 60 PSI and it holds then the leak is somewhere upstream from the shut off valve. If it falls back then a faulty check or foot valve is the culprit. One more thing, It's doubtful, but a leak in the suction line would give you the same rersults with the exception that you would find air spurting out of your faucets along with the water. Good luck. To,m

hkstroud · Oct 22, 2008, 01:41 PM

Is this a bladder tank or a pressure tank? Sounds like a water logged tank.

jlisenbe · Oct 22, 2008, 02:04 PM

If this only happens when you turn on water, as you stated, then I would look first at the tank. If it has an air valve at the top, then press it and see if water comes out. If it does, then your bladder has failed and the tank is waterlogged. You can fix this on a temporary basis by draining the tank and allowing it to fill with air, then turning the system back on. With the tank recharged with air, it will work for several weeks, or even months, until the air gets dissolved by the water and the tank fills with water again.

The residue you see in the switch is the result of the points having to open and close so frequently.

You do need to address this quickly. Having your pump short cycle like this will wear a pump out in short order.

speedball1 · Oct 22, 2008, 02:55 PM

Iwould say that it's a waterlogged pressure tank if the system had held pressure when the pump shut off but while a water logged tank will cause the pump to kick on every time a draw was made, (it would act exactly if there were no tank at all) it will not cause a drop in pressure. The system's losing pressure somewhere but it ain't the pressure tank. I do agree with Jlisenbe that this is hard on the pumps motor and this should be taken care of ASAP. Good luck, Tom

jlisenbe · Oct 22, 2008, 05:57 PM

SB is correct is questioning whether the pressure is falling when there is no draw. I understood that this was happening when he turned on the water only, but that might not be correct.