Is 20 psi a normal press. Reading at the hosebib at the wellhouse. All other valves are closed in the house. This is a submersible pump.

Your reading will actually vary. Sounds like you have a 20/40 switch, meaning it cuts the pump on at 20# and cuts out at 40#. So your pressure could read 22 in the morning and then read 35 in the afternoon. What does your pressure gauge read at the tank?

Your reading will actually vary. Sounds like you have a 20/40 switch, meaning it cuts the pump on at 20# and cuts out at 40#. So your pressure could read 22 in the morning and then read 35 in the afternoon. What does your pressure gauge read at the tank?
My pressure at the tank is 40. I thought that the pressure at the well should be at least 40.

What is the right way to check water pressure and flow for a irrigation in a well?

My pressure at the tank is 40. I thought that the pressure at the well should be at least 40. And so it should. Are you sure the gage at the pump's not fautly? I reject jllsenbes statement that the pressure will be regulated by the clock. Less in the AM, more uin the PM. That's just silly.
The correct way to check well pressure is at the well head. If there is a lose on down the line then the system has a problem and not the pump. Good luck, tom

Speedball, I think you misunderstood my post. I simply noted that pressure would vary and COULD read 22 in the morning and 35 in the afternoon. That is not silly, it is simply true. I never said anything about a clock regulating pressure and my point had nothing to do with time of day other than simply to illustrate a point. In the interest of fairness you really need to change your comment on my post.
The point is, if the pump cuts off at 40 and you flush a toilet, then the pressure will not be at 40# 2 minutes later. I guarantee that it will not read 40# 24/7. Spudder, if you are reading 40 at the tank, just be aware that it is 40 at that point in time. A 20/40 switch will simply kick the pump on at 20 and off at 40. It will not keep it at 40 all the time. As you use water, the pressure will drop until, at some point(several gallons of usage), it reaches 20# and then cuts the pump back on. So yes, 20# could be a normal reading if you had used water and the pressure had dropped to the point where the switch was ready to cut the pump back on. To say the pressure at the well should be AT LEAST 40 is correct only if the pressure at the tank is 40 at that same moment. They should be near the same at any given moment. But bear in mind that they could both read 35, or 27, or 22 just as easily, depending on where you are with water usage. It drops, it rises, and, if no water is being used, is static. If there is a significant difference, then I would agree with the rest of Speedball's statement, especially concerning checking the pressure gauge at the tank.

Will someone please tell me the right and accurate way to check the supply water pressure at the well for a irrigation?

Private Message: response to a comment
Yesterday, 02:57 PM
Jlisenbe
Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 124
Response to a comment
Please read my response to your comment on my well post. You misunderstood my point. I was not referring to times, just illustrating that the tank pressure is not going to be static. It can be one reading in the morning and a different reading later in the day.
Ahh! But you didn't mention anything about drawing down the pressure did you? Your post read," your pressure could read 22 in the morning and then read 35 in the afternoon. "
This signifies that to me that when the pump cuts off in the AM the gage will read 22 PSI and when it cuts off in the PM it will read 35 PSI" No mention of making a draw from the pressure tank. Just the difference od pressure between AM and PM. Any body with half a brain knows that with a 20/40 control box that the pressure will fluctuate between 20 and 40 before the pump kicks in but will allways steady up at 40 PSI. That's a no brainer.
Change my commrnt? Nah! Just check the accurately of your staements next time.

SPUDDER
Is 20 psi a normal press. Reading at the hosebib at the wellhouse. All other valves are closed in the house. This is a submersible pump.
Will someone please tell me the right and accurate way to check the supply water pressure at the well for a irrigation?
If the control is set at 20 PSI cut in and 40PSI cutout your pressure should read, (at the pressure tank with the piump up to pressure and shut off) 40 PSI and not 20.
The correct way to check well pressure is at the well head. If there is a lose on down the line then the system has a problem and not the pump.
Regards, Tom

Ahh! But you didn't mention anything about drawing down the pressure did you? Your post read," your pressure could read 22 in the morning and then read 35 in the afternoon. "
This signifies that to me that when the pump cuts off in the AM the gage will read 22 PSI and when it cuts off in the PM it will read 35 PSI" No mention of making a draw from the pressure tank. Just the difference od pressure between AM and PM. Any body with half a brain knows that with a 20/40 control box that the pressure will fluctuate between 20 and 40 before the pump kicks in but will allways steady up at 40 PSI. That's a no brainer.
Change my commrnt? Nah!! Just check the accurately of your staements next time.

SPUDDER
If the control is set at 20 PSI cut in and 40PSI cutout your pressure should read, (at the pressure tank with the piump up to pressure and shut off) 40 PSI and not 20.
The correct way to check well pressure is at the well head. If there is a lose on down the line then the system has a problem and not the pump.
Regards, Tom
Do you mean the hosebib at the welhouse for the well head ?

Do you mean the hosebib at the welhouse for the well head ? Yes. I mean the hose bib closest to the pump. The PSI should read 40 PSI when the pump's up to pressure and shut off. Regards, Tom

Failed to mention drawdown? Speedball, I guess I assumed that people would realize that water will be used at some point in the day between the morning and the evening. I also failed to mention that the sun would rise. Some things you just take for granted. I could have worded my answer more carefully, but I don't see how anyone would think that I was suggesting pumps are controlled by time of day. Sorry, but your reply makes no sense. At any rate, I'm through with this thread. I will simply say again that if Spudder thinks he will see 40# every time he looks at the gauge he will be disappointed.

Sorry Spudder. I know this has nothing to do with your question. A negative comment over silliness is just plain irritating.

Failed to mention drawdown??? Are you kidding with me??? I guess I assumed that most people would have the common sense to realize that water will be used at some point in the day between the morning and the evening. I also failed to mention that the sun would rise, the water is liquid, the pipes are rigid, the pump runs off electricity, etc. Some things you just take for granted. Come on, that's a ridiculous answer.
Sorry jisenbe, This is your statement." So your pressure could read 22 in the morning and then read 35 in the afternoon." What I take for granted is the accuracy of a post. I don't want to be forced into guessing what's meant. What you meant and what you posted are two different things. And for your information a pumps pressure is measured when the pump cuts off not at various stages whem it's pumping up to pressure.
And your point would be for giving us that tid-bit of information?
And for petes sake lose the attitude. Regards, Tom

Speedball, I'm not trying to have an attitude. I realize you have a lot of experience with this and I acknowledge that. The person's question was whether 20# was a normal reading. I was simply saying to him that when you look at the pressure gauge, it could read a number of readings, depending on drawdown which I did not mention since I was not sure if Spudder was familiar with the terminology. You must remember that I was responding to him, not to you. I guessed (correctly) that my post would be responded to and more discussion was coming. I just think your comment was not fair, but then again much of life if not fair. Best wishes. I enjoy your posts.

"Normal reading" means when the pump's up to pressure and shut oiff not when it's pumping up to the cut-off point. Of course you will get different readings when the pump's pumping up to pressure. Why would he check the pressure at those points? Your post was misleading to say the least and all I did was correct it. I'm sorry if it ruffled your feathers but since a "normal reading" is taken when the pump cuts off your post about pressure readings in the AM and PM wre misleading to me. I can only imagine what the OP thought. Let's kiss and make up. Regards, Tom

"Of course you will get different readings when the pump's pumping up to pressure. Why would he check the pressure at those points?"

I know you know that. I wasn't sure if he knew that, and the reply was to him. I still disagree with your comment, but, as I said, I enjoy your posts. You're the best. At any rate, have a great Thanksgiving.