Went to a friends house to check her water pump. It is a 30/50 switch and after she ran the water to turn on the pump which did not turn on until it hit 20 (one problem and then it ran great, came right up to 50-51 (cut off) but did not stop running until I tapped the cover lightly. Water pressure stayed at 50, no lost of pressure at all. Question. Could this be a faulty switch. it is a 1 line pump attached to the tank. Did not find and any place to check for air in the tank.
Thank you
Mike

1. Try filing the points (breaker off) with an emory board.
2. If that does not work, you can replace the switch (cheap and easy to do), but be sure to check the little pipe leading to the switch. It can fill with crud and make the switch sluggish to respond.

[QUOTE=jlisenbe;2539999]1. Try filing the points (breaker off) with an emory board.
2. If that does not work, you can replace the switch (cheap and easy to do), but be sure to check the little pipe leading to the switch. It can fill with crud and make the switch sluggish to respond.[/QUOTE


OK thank you. Didn't notice a pipe to the switch but did notice to the gage. Does the tank have to be empty to take the pipe out? I also checked the pressure from the tank and had 40 psi and the gage had about 34. So when we empty I will check also. Yesterday it seemed to not turn on until it hit 18 psi instead of around 30 like it was suppose to. Can I use any pressure switch as long as it is 30/50.

Thank you again.

Does yours look like the picture on this site?

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs (http://www.inspectapedia.com/water/WaterPumpAdjust.htm)

Does yours look like the picture on this site?

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs (http://www.inspectapedia.com/water/WaterPumpAdjust.htm)

Not. I have copies of that, it is shaped like that but the big spring sit's sit's almost at the edge center and semms like it sit's on a plate, the small one sit's right behind it towards center of the box but did not see any spring, it is a furnas switch 30/50 but could not find one on the PC.
The instructions were on the back side of the cover. That's how I knew which way to turn the big spring.

Thank you again


not. i have copies of that, it is shaped like that but the big spring sit's sit's almost at the edge center and semms like it sit's on a plate, the small one sit's right behind it towards center of the box but did not see any spring, it is a furnas switch 30/50 but could not find one on the pc.
the instructions were on the back side of the cover. thats how i knew which way to turn the big spring.

thank you again

Found one on Google .com, yes the small small spring if there is one is adjusted with a screw driver. I did not touch this screw


Was waiting for a reply, maybve I hit a wrong botton. Found the 1/4 pipe. Do I have to empty tank for that? And I took psi from water gage 32 and the bladder had 37, didn't want to empty tank right now. But were they suppose to be the same. I will clean off the foot valve today, it isn't leaking, stay's at the psi for a few minutes that I checked on it. Just doesn't want to shut off. I'll also changed the switch.
Thanks

I suspect that changing the switch will fix your problem. You don't have to empty the tank, but you will need to bleed off pressure. Just turn off the breaker and open a faucet until pressure goes to zero.

The pressure at the top of your tank should be set to 2# BELOW the cut in pressure. This should be done while the system pressure is zero. If, for instance, your pump cuts on at 30#, then set the tank pressure to 28#.

Don't worry about the gauge not reading exactly what the pressure is at the top of the tank. Either the gauge, or the tire gauge for the top of the tank, or maybe both, is reading a little off.

I keep coming back to;
found the 1/4 pipe. Do I have to empty tank for that? You don't have to empty the tank to check the little tube, This tube is very important because it lets the control box what the line pressure is. Without that knowledge the control box doesn't have control over the pump.
Shut the pump off and disconnect the tube. If you can blow through it then it's clear and I would replace the control box. Good luck, Tom

Just make sure you bleed off pressure first. That, or prepare to get wet.

Tom or jlisenbe,, do I need to use the same brand name switch or as long as it is a 30/50 I would be OK. I have a part #.?
Thank you

Any control box would work. I kind of like Square D but it's your choice. Good luck, Tom

Let us know how it all turns out.

Let us know how it all turns out.

Will do, thank all of you. The old lady worries.

Let us know how it all turns out.

OK things went good, shut pump down and changed the switch and their was rust in the old switch, cleaned the line put it back together turned on the pump, no shut down. Hit the switch for the pump and took off the little line, no water. Started poking around on the pump side, yep a gusher. For 2 seconds, yes I am fast, didn't get wet, sat for 20 minutes hit the power and it didn't come on and holding at 50 psi. thank you guys saved the ole lady a lot of money.

The one great thing about being on a well is the sense of accomplishment you get when a problem is finally fixed. Congrats!