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tlsilvera · Oct 4, 2008, 04:03 PM

Hi. I am using well water for my residence. Lately I start having pressure problem.
The pressure switch is not activating when the water is flowing and the pressure goes down to 20 psi then drops to zero. After awhile the switch activates and build up the pressure to 100 psi. The switch is set for 30/60. Even if I manualy pick up the switch it will not stay up. (contacts closed) There is a air pressure tank also connected to the pipe at one end. Now if I remove the switch to replace or check for debris, will I lose the air pressure from the tank? There is no lock off valve for the tank . I notice where the switch screw into the pipe something looks like a valve but I am not sure if it is a valve (check valve) If I just unscrew the switch then I might loose the air pressure,the water I can turn off over by the well.
Could you please help me on this. Thanks

speedball1 · Oct 5, 2008, 07:32 AM

Thec first thing I would check is the small tube that runs from the pump to the control box. Be sure it's clear. If it's not clogged then I would suppect a faulty control box. Replace with another 30/60 and reset the bladder tank pressure at 28 PSI. Note: To set the air pressure in a bladder tank, look at the cut-in pressure on your pressure switch. Now drain the line down with the pump off. When there is no more water coming out of the hose bib that you drained the system down with set the pressure in the bladder tank at 28 lbs. below the cut-in pressure. Check it with a tire gage. If your pressure control is set to come on at 30 PSI and go off at 60 PSI then your gage should read 28 PSI. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply.

tlsilvera · Oct 5, 2008, 08:52 AM

Speedball1
Thanks for the reply. I suspect that there is a blockage in the line to the switch. This is what I want to check first .but when I remove the sw. I will loose the air pressure from the air tank, right? Now I will need to replace the air. Can I buy a air canister from say home depot or other hardware store, which I can use to replace the air. That is my main concern.
I could use a bike pump to pump air in but I do not have a pump.

Trevor

speedball1 · Oct 5, 2008, 12:38 PM

You will not lose air pressure out of your bladder tank when you drain the system down. (You do have the PSI set correctly don't you?)
The cpressure you will lose will be the water pressure when you shut the pump off, open a cold water faucet and bleed the pressure down. Now you can un hook the tube and check it. If it's clear then replace the control box. Good luck, Tom

tlsilvera · Oct 5, 2008, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the info. The tube to the switch was clog with dirt debris . Cleaned every thing out, now it is working like new.

speedball1 · Oct 5, 2008, 04:26 PM

Hot Damm! I love it when a plan comes together! Glad that got you fixed up. Tom