View Full Version : How to get air pressure and pumptrol to work?
huertasub
Jun 16, 2011, 09:30 PM
The pressure in my air tank keeps dropping from 60 to 0, sometimes tapping on pumptrol box would get pressure back. But now it's not working at all. I turned off breaker, opened the box and dusted the connecters. It came back on. But got home and now it's back to no pressure! What should I do next?
jlisenbe
Jun 17, 2011, 04:31 AM
Turn off the power and use an emory board or some sandpaper to sand the points. Two or three strokes is plenty. If that doesn't work, then it's time to replace the switch. Even if it does work, switches are so cheap and easy to replace that I'd replace it anyway. If you don't, you'll get to do this again in a few months.
Some switches have a reset lever on the side. If yours does, make sure it has been reset. I don't really think that is your problem, but it doesn't hurt to mention it.
huertasub
Jun 17, 2011, 09:31 AM
Thank you for your assistence. I replaced the swith, still nothing.
Does that mean something is wrong in my well?
jlisenbe
Jun 17, 2011, 10:48 AM
Possibly. Are the contact points on the new switch touching (closed)? If so, and you did turn the power back on and are sure you have power at the switch, then the next step is to make sure you have power at the pump. Is your pump above ground or in the well?
You should also remove the other two threads you have started. It can get confusing to those of us trying to help when suggestions are being offered in three different places.
huertasub
Jun 17, 2011, 11:18 AM
Ok thanks, the pump on the well is a submersible pump, so I believe that means its in the well. I'm new in here,so I will try to delete other questions.
How can I tell if I have power at the pump?
Thank you
jlisenbe
Jun 17, 2011, 01:15 PM
Make sure it's wired right. This picture will show you what you should have.
http://www.catskillhouse.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/well-pump-pressure-switch-wiring.jpg
In your case, with the pump in the well, you can only test the wire at the switch with a voltmeter. With the two leads of the meter on the two wires going TO the pump, you should read 240 volts or so.
If you have current at that point, then check and see if the wire leaving the switch to the pump actually goes to a small switch box (a capacitor) and then to the pump.
It won't hurt to make sure the little pipe leading to the switch in not clogged. I doubt that's your problem, but it does happen and can prevent the switch from working properly. But if the points are closed, then your pump should be on.
hkstroud
Jun 17, 2011, 01:49 PM
sometimes tapping on pumptrol box would get pressure back.
To me that sound like a blocked pipe to the switch.
jlisenbe
Jun 17, 2011, 04:34 PM
Could be. But I'm thinking that if the points are closed, the pump should be on. If it's not on, then there's another issue somewhere.