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Badcat_2 · Jan 21, 2010, 02:58 AM

Hi, we have a V100 and have had pressure problems lately in the house we just moved into last year (it's been fine until the other day). Tom stated that the tank pressure should be 2 psi below the pump cut-in. Our cut-in is about 38-40 psi but the tank pressure is 60 psi (the previous owner said this is what they kept it at and it worked fine). I've done all the tests as described above and it seems the tank (bladder) is fine but still no pressure in the lines. I've tried adding more air, which keeps the pressure but then the pump kicks in too often, and reducing which results in lost pressure and it takes forever for the pump to kick in. I guess the question is, what would you consider the 'average(?)' working psi and is there such a thing?

Thanks,
Dave

speedball1 · Jan 21, 2010, 06:29 AM

First a little information. How old is your house and what type of pipinnbg do you have? Plastic, copper or galvanized? Do you have good pressure at first and then it falls off after a bit or just no pressure at all?
The bladder tank should be charged at 2 PSI under the cut in pressure of the system.
House pressures run between 40 and 60 PSI with the average being 45 PSI.
Back to you, Tom

jlisenbe · Jan 21, 2010, 07:08 AM

Bad, you don't adjust pressure in the tank. The pressure at the top of the tank should be set at 2# below the cut in pressure. This is done with the breaker off and the tank drained down (through a low level faucet) to zero pressure. Once you do this, leave it alone. You cannot solve problems by continually readjusting pressure in the tank.

Additionally, the tank pressure, once you turn the pump back on, will go up and down. You might set it at, say, 30#, then check it later and it might read 60#. That is normal.

"Set it and forget it"

speedball1 · Jan 21, 2010, 07:51 AM

Thanks for the backup, jlisenbe.
You're bang on. Tom

Badcat_2 · Jan 21, 2010, 04:32 PM

Thanks Speedy; I did get that, it's just the previous owner of the house had been playing with the psi so I just needed an understanding as to setup and how it all worked in general once it was set. After sending in my question, I found this site which completely filled me in on the inner workings so I thought I'd share for others:

Troubleshooting Bladder Pressure Tanks
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/Publications/331-342_4-18-06.pdf

Btw, it's all up and running great so thanks!

Because

jlisenbe · Jan 21, 2010, 05:22 PM

Good for you. Glad to hear it worked out.

speedball1 · Jan 21, 2010, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the update Cat. Tom