When power is off and the tank drained the bladder pressure is 28.

With the power turned on the tank pressure build to 54 and pump shuts off.

When only a few ounces of water are drawn. The pump comes on immediately.

So it goes on and off every few seconds when a faucet is running.

The tank is 40 inches high and should be able to draw off 4-6 gallons before turning the pump on.

HOw old is the pressure tank? I ask because it sounds like the bladder might be ruptured and there is very little, if any, air in the tank. This is a common cause of the pump short-cycling.

It could also be a faulty switch. HOw low does the pressure drop in the few seconds before the pump cuts back in?

My bet's on a faulty bladder tank. The purpose of a pressure/bladder tank is to prevent the pump from cycling on and off every time a draw is made. Regards, Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

HOw old is the pressure tank? I ask because it sounds like the bladder might be ruptured and there is very little, if any, air in the tank. This is a common cause of the pump short-cycling.

It could also be a faulty switch. HOw low does the pressure drop in the few seconds before the pump cuts back in?

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Pressure tank is 9 years old.

THe pressure does not drop at all when the pump turns back on.

"THe pressure does not drop at all when the pump turns back on."

Oh it drops OK or your pump wouldn't be turning on every time you make a draw. This indicates a pressure tank that's full and a bladder that's ruptured.
My bet's still on the tank. Let's test it! Pop the snifter valve on top of the tank. If water comes out the tanks faulty. Take and tap up the side of the tank. You should hear "clunk" at the bottom and a "clink" after you're half way up. Let me know, Tom

Another approach is to draw down the tank with the power off, fill the tank to 30# or so of air through the valve at the top, and turn the power back on. This will make the system run at least close to normally, oftentimes for several weeks until the air is dissolved into the water and you are back to being waterlogged. When there is no air in the tank, then there is nothing for the water to compress. The tank builds pressure by compressing air, not water. Before I bought a bladder tank I had one without a bladder and had to add air every month or so which was a pain.