View Full Version : Having problems with a 19 gal flotec pressure tank
jovi24
Mar 31, 2010, 09:49 PM
I installed a Flotec Pressure Tank in my resident cause the previous tank corroded and start leaking, so I went to Home Depot bought it, installed it. Went by the instruction but the pump that feeds water to the tank won't shut off. I set the PSI at 18 all the way to 25 and I'm still having the same problem. At 25 PSI no water going in. No I don't know what to do next, and I need to get this working really soon.
CHayn
Apr 1, 2010, 04:22 AM
Your pressure in the tank should be 2psi below the cut on pressure of your pump.
Do you need to prime your pump?
Are you sure that you removed any caps or plugs that were installed for protection during shipping?
speedball1
Apr 1, 2010, 06:40 AM
the pump that feeds water to the tank won't shut off This might be a control box problem. Shut the power off at the breaker box and open up the control box,(see image). If the contacts are stuck/fused together replace the control box. Good luck, Tom
jlisenbe
Apr 1, 2010, 02:16 PM
I'm going to guess your pump is above ground. If that is the case, then you probably lost prime when you did the plumbing to install the new tank. This is how to prime. There will be either a plug or a pressure gauge on top of the impeller cage. Turn off the power, remove the plug, pour in water until it overflows, replace plug, turn back on power. Note that once the impeller cage has been filled, it should stay full. If the level constantly falls, then get back with us.
Not saying the switch is not the culprit, but it seems that the pump is running so the switch must be doing its job in that respect. Won't hurt to check it, however.
jovi24
Apr 2, 2010, 02:16 AM
I installed a Flotec Pressure Tank in my resident cause the previous tank corroded and start leaking, so I went to Home Depot bought it, installed it. Went by the instruction but the pump that feeds water to the tank won't shut off. I set the PSI at 18 all the way to 25 and I'm still having the same problem. At 25 PSI no water going in. No I don't know what to do next, and I need to get this working really soon.
None of the answers I got were much help. Removed all protection from pump, checked the switch and the pump has been primed 3 times and still the damn pump won't shut off. It keeps pumping water at 18 to 22 psi but when the PSI is above 24 to 28 no water enters the tank. Was told it might be the pressure switch but the switch is set right. Anymore suggestions, open to any and all suggestions!
CHayn
Apr 2, 2010, 03:33 AM
What is the air pressure in the tank?
speedball1
Apr 2, 2010, 05:45 AM
the pump has been primed 3 times and still the damn pump won't shut off.After you shut off the power does the pump lose its prime?
Answer Chyns question. With the power shut of and the pressure drained off what's the pressure setting in the bladder tank?
Back to you, Tom
hkstroud
Apr 2, 2010, 06:38 AM
I installed a Flotec Pressure Tank in my resident cause the previous tank corroded and start leaking
Sounds to me like the switch pressure port could be blocked by rust or debris. Remove switch, clean or replace.
jlisenbe
Apr 2, 2010, 07:18 AM
The pump has been primed three times. Was that because you just wanted to make sure you got it right, or was it because the pump has been losing prime?
BTW, if you have the pressure at the top of the tank set higher than what the pump is producing, then no water will enter the tank. However, I don't think either your tank setting or the switch is the problem. The pump is simply not producing sufficient pressure (18 to 22 psi). If it is losing prime, then we begin to suspect a leak somewhere in the suction line. That would prevent the pump from producing high enough pressure, and would also cause it to lose prime from time to time.
When you shut the pump off at the breaker, does it hold whatever pressure it was able to produce (20# or whatever), or does the pressure bleed down to zero?
jovi24
Apr 2, 2010, 01:14 PM
I installed a Flotec Pressure Tank in my resident cause the previous tank corroded and start leaking, so I went to Home Depot bought it, installed it. Went by the instruction but the pump that feeds water to the tank won't shut off. I set the PSI at 18 all the way to 25 and I'm still having the same problem. At 25 PSI no water going in. No I don't know what to do next, and I need to get this working really soon.
The pump does but water in the tank but only when the PSI is set at 22 to 18. Other than that it doesn't get water in the tank. But no matter what the PSI is set to the pump doesn't shutoff in either settings. So I end up disconnect the power source and plugging it back in when I need it. The water in the tank doesn't stay very long just for awhile before it is drained and I have to turn the pump back on myself. So another word the water and pressure in the tank aren't sable for very long. I tried it for overnight purpose, come morning the tank is empty and no pressure.
But the psi it remains the same.
jovi24
Apr 2, 2010, 01:16 PM
The pump does but water in the tank but only when the PSI is set at 22 to 18. Other than that it doesn't get water in the tank. But no matter what the PSI is set to the pump doesn't shutoff in either settings. So I end up disconnect the power source and plugging it back in when I need it. The water in the tank doesn't stay very long just for awhile before it is drained and I have to turn the pump back on myself. So another word the water and pressure in the tank aren't sable for very long. I tried it for overnight purpose, come morning the tank is empty and no pressure.
But the psi it remains the same.
The pump doesn't lose its prime unless a faucet was turn on without water being present.
CHayn
Apr 3, 2010, 04:49 AM
I don't have a lot of training with wells so one of these other guys may have better ideas. I am just throwing in a few thoughts that may help. Could you have a bad check valve between the tank and the well that allows the water to drain right back to the well? I will be interested to hear what the final solution is.
jlisenbe
Apr 3, 2010, 08:59 AM
CH, I am thinking the same thing. Jove, even if the pump is not pumping up to cut off pressure (which it is not), whatever pressure it produces should hold when you turn the pump off. If it doesn't, then it either has to be going back into the well (faulty check valve) or out through a leak somewhere downstream. You would likely notice the leak, so the checkvalve would be a likely culprit. Still, you have the problem of the pump not being able to get up to the cut off point of 40# or whatever it is. It still sounds to me that you have a leak in a suction line. This would allow the system to lose prime and also prevent the pump from generating pressure.
Also, and I should have asked this earlier, was the tank that you replaced a tank with a bladder in it, like the Flotec you purchased? Also, other than the leak in the old tank, was the system performing properly before installing the new tank?