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    judyneric's Avatar
    judyneric Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 1, 2006, 10:41 AM
    New pressure tank?
    I recently had my well pump replaced. Ever since, the pump kicks in after a gallon or two of water use. I called the well pump installer immediately when we noticed the problem (which did not exist until he came out to replace the pump), but he won't show up to check it out. Kidnapping him and forcing him to look at the system is not an option, as I do not want to mar my crime-free personal history.

    I have an Amtrol Well X Trol WX-202 pressure tank, and a Square D 9013 pressure switch, which says 30 on and 50 off (this presumably refers to the cut in/cut out pressures for when the pump should run... I don't know anything about well water systems, other than what I have learned while trying to find solutions to this matter on the internet). There is even a pressure gauge attached to the copper pipe coming into the house! Wow, I have it all! What a country! I love it!

    Being a man of action, I decided to take action - which seems logical for a man of action. I cut the power to the well pump. Don't worry, I used safe working practices and made sure the power was truly off by putting my tongue on the wires that run through the pressure switch. My tongue did not explode, so I knew the power was off. I then ran the water in my kitchen and shower until the pressure tank was empty of water. I painstakingly and meticulously applied a tire pressure gauge on the pressure tank valve, and it registered 0 psi. For those unfamiliar with the numeral 0, this meant there was absolutely no air pressure in the tank. As the tank is pre-charged at 30 psi, I said to myself, "Self, this must not be right." I also had the foresight and extreme competency to check the pressure of the pressure tank (or should I be now be calling it a no-pressure tank? Hahaha) with water in the tank; I got a reading of 42 psi. The pressure gauge on the water supply line entering the house shows around 40 psi, not that I know if this matters at all, which I presume it does not.

    Is the interior lining of the Well X Trol ripped or torn? The Amtrol website says, and I quote, "Diaphragm design will not collapse or tear like bladder designs." However, this sounds to me like complete bragging by the company, as nothing on this Earth is indestructible but ice and twinkies. Oh, and maybe acorns too, because I keep breaking my teeth on them.

    Is the liner replaceable if it is indeed ripped or torn or otherwise damaged? I have learned that some tanks are capable of this type of modern marvel transplant!

    If the liner is ripped or torn, will recharging the tank to 30 psi (when empty) by using a small air compressor help reduce wear on my tank until I replace the tank, if necessary? I tried to do this by hand with a little Huffy handheld bicycle pump, but even with my immense strength and great looks, I was unable to force any air into the tank. Thee tanks have absolutely no respect for immense strength and geat looks!

    Could there be a problem with my pressure switch (even though the tank being at 0 psi would seem to indicate the problem is with the pressure tank itself)?

    Is it possible the installer of my new well pump released the air from my pressure tank? Just to mess with me? Just so I would call him and tell him to come put in a new pressure tank?

    Also, when the installer was here, he said he had to install new wiring to keep in code. I noticed that the wiring coming into the house with the water supply line is the same old wiring. Was he supposed to only replace wiring outside in the pump housing, or was he supposed to replace the wiring all the way into the house, to the pressure switch? He charged me for the wiring replacement. If he is trying to cheat me, I will sob uncontrollably. Uh, I mean, I will do everything in my power to rectify the situation.

    I think those are the only 70 questions I have right now. Any help/guidance anyone can offer would be most appreciated. Thank you!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #2

    Jan 1, 2006, 12:18 PM
    Mr. Judy,

    I like your style. Ya sure know how to frame a question.
    Did you pop the air valve to see if water came out? If water came out the bladder was ruptured and the tank must be replaced. The fact that when you put a gage on the tank and it regestered zero plus the additional fact that the pump kicks on every time you draw a glass of water can only lead me to one conclusion. Ya got to ruptured bladder, ( and they said it couoldn't be done) The bladder is not replaceable but you have a 5 year warranty on it that may help.

    "If the liner is ripped or torn, will recharging the tank to 30 psi by using a small air compressor help reduce wear on my tank until I replace the tank, if necessary?"
    No, since the bladders shot you'll be pumping air directly into your water system. You'll need a new tank.
    You have the rirht ideaabout shutting off the pump and bleeding the system down before recharging the tank. However the correct setting is two pounds under the cut in on the control box, in your case 28 PSI.

    "Is it possible the installer of my new well pump released the air from my pressure tank? Just to mess with me? Just so I would call him and tell him to come put in a new pressure tank?"
    You can check that by popping the air valve and letting it bleed down. If any water comes out then replace the tank.
    Also, when the installer was here, he said he had to install new wiring to keep in code. I noticed that the wiring coming into the house wth the water supply line is the same old wiring. Was he supposed to only replace wiring outside in the pump housing, or was he supposed to replace the wiring all the way into the house, to the pressure switch? He charged me for the wiring replacement. If he is trying to cheat me, I will sob uncontrollably."

    Get the hankie out. If the lead in wire from the house is the same he says he replaced because it was out of code, then DAH! Yeah! If the wires in the pump house were so out of code that they had to be replaced than by what magic did the wires leading from the house suddenly jump back into acceptable? By following his own analysis He should have replaced it all.

    Good luck and thanks for the first chuckle of the new year. Tom

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