Do u have a gauge in line? If so, cut out(shut off) is when gauge stops going up. The cut in (start up) is when pressure switch clicks on. Usually 20 PSI lower then cut out.

Chuck

Crea basically has it. Turn on a faucet and watch the gauge fall. Once you hear a click, note that pressure. That is the cutin. Turn off the faucet, and watch as the gauge goes up. You'll hear another click and the rise in pressure will stop. That is the cut out pressure.

Ok, the problem I'm having is, while the cold water is running the pump is not kicking on when it should. The pressure sometimes drops so low the water stops for 3 seconds then the pump kicks on. When this happens the pressure on the gauge at cut in was 12 lbs. Then I shut off the water and the pump runs for at least 5 minutes and cuts out at 54 lbs. So I repeated this step to be sure of the #s. This time the water flow did not stop and the pump cut in at 18 lbs and cut out at 54 lbs. At this same time I decided to check the air pressure in my tank. At cut in the pressure was 22 psi and 38 psi at cut out. Now I open the control box and find directions on the lid of my box. It says to 1)Turn nut #1(the tall one in the center)CW to raise cut on AND cut off pressure. 2) Turn nut #2 (one of 2 shorter nuts flanking the tall nut) CW to raise cut off pressure only.
So I turned the taller center nut CW 5 full turns and the cut in rose to 22 lbs but the pump just ran what seemed forever until I cut the power and turned the same nut CCW 2.5 turns and it cut of at 58 lbs.
So I really have 2 more questions. 1) How can I raise the cut in pressure without raising the cut off? And, 2) where is all of the water going when the pump runs forever, my tank is maybe 20 - 25 gallons at best.

1. Your pressure gauge should read about the same as the pressure at the top of the tank. If not, then either your pressure gauge is bad of the tire gauge you are using is not accurate.

2. To lower the cut out pressure only, turn the smaller nut ccw. However, try to maintain a 20# or so differential.

3. Be sure the little pipe leading to the switch is clear. Those pipes tend to clog over time and prevent the switch from responding as quickly as it should.

4. The pump is continuing to run because it is struggling to get up to cut off pressure. As you can imagine, that is not good.

To set the pressure in tank to the correct pressure.

1. Shut off pump.

2. Drain tank of all water and open up a faucet to relieve pressure.

3. Check air pressure in tank. Should be 2 PSI lower then cut in PSI. If cut in is set for 30 PSI, then tank is set at 28 PSI.

4. After setting tank, close faucets and turn on water.

5. Adjust the pressure switch as explained in previous post keeping on and off 20 PSI apart.

Chuck