I have a new 86 gallon well tank that will not fill past about 30-35 psi. I have all new pipes and a new Simer 2805E 1/2 HP Shallow Well Jet Pump. I can fill it to 30 psi, then use the water, which goes down fast, and then let the tank fill back up (to 30 psi). The empty tank has 28 psi and the pump switch is set to 30-50. Lack of water does not seem to be a problem, only getting the tank to fill so the pump will shut off. I've checked for air leaks from the wall to the pump and any other leaks in the pipes and found nothing. The check valve is just after the pump, not before. That's where people tell me it's supposed to be. for a jet pump.

I'd say you had a problem if the control box shuts off at 30 PSI.

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The empty tank has 28 psi

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Are we talking about as bladder tank or a pressure tank? Back to you, Tom

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Originally Posted by speedball1

I'd say you had a problem if the control box shuts off at 30 PSI.

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The empty tank has 28 psi

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Are we talking about as bladder tank or a pressure tank? Back to you, Tom

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The pump doesn't shut off. It stays at about 30 psi for 10 minutes or more before I shut it off. I think it's a pre-charged bladder tank. It was set at 38 when I got it, so I changed it to 28.

Your tank is set correctly at 28 if it is set to cut on at 30. Am I correct in assuming that you have a jet pump with one pipe only going into the well?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Your tank is set correctly at 28 if it is set to cut on at 30. Am I correct in assuming that you have a jet pump with one pipe only going into the well?

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One pipe, yes.

How far down to water?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

How far down to water?

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I'm not sure how deep the well is. The old pump was a 1/2 hp also.

These shallow well jet pumps can only pull from 25 feet or so down, so they are sensitive to water depth. That could be an issue. Also, double check all your pipe connections. Make sure there are no leaks that could admit air.

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Originally Posted by speedball1

I'd say you had a problem if the control box shuts off at 30 PSI.

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The empty tank has 28 psi

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Are we talking about as bladder tank or a pressure tank? Back to you, Tom

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WaterWorker HT-86B Vertical Pressure Well Tank, 86-Gallon Capacity, Blue. It has a diaphragm.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

These shallow well jet pumps can only pull from 25 feet or so down, so they are sensitive to water depth. That could be an issue. Also, double check all your pipe connections. Make sure there are no leaks that could admit air.

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I've checked and rechecked all the connections both before with soapy water, and after the pump. No leaks. It seems like the pump brings in water fine. We did dishes with the pump running. But when all the faucets are off, the tank pressure still only hovers around 30 psi. So I turn the pump off manually each time. Could the tank be defective, or is a 1/2 hp pump not strong enough for the bigger tank?

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Originally Posted by Mister-Mike

But when all the faucets are off, the tank pressure still only hovers around 30 psi. So I turn the pump off manually each time. Could the tank be defective, or is a 1/2 hp pump not strong enough for the bigger tank?

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This is where it gets a little tough, not being there to actually see your setup. I would check, if possible, how far down it is to the water table. Bear in mind that this will change some as the pump cuts on and runs. It can pull the well level down. The closer you get to the 25 to 30 foot range, the less efficient your pump will be.

The HP of your pump should be fine.

The tank is not your problem. Tanks do not generate pressure. The pump has to do that.

The only times I have ever know a pump to keep running and not reach shut off was because of a leak in the system, or a faulty pressure switch, or a blocked intake line. I would fine tune or replace the pressure switch and find out what pressure it does shut the pump off at. They are highly prone to dirt or sediment or hard water that makes the readings false.

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

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If you want to set up the cut-out pressure on your pump control, while leaving the "cut-in" down where it is, you'll also get a longer "off" cycle, but if you set the cut-out pressure too high, the pump will just run forever since it can't reach that high pressure. This is easy to figure out since if you set it too high the pump will just keep running. (Then turn it off electrically and set the cutout pressure a bit lower.)

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