[stephenablett]

Hello all, my submersible pump is 200 feet down and is used for domestic water. Over the last couple of weeks it has started cutting out (usually over night). I can reset it at the control box, but the green light goes out after a few minutes but it still pumps water for a day or so. Today however the reset seems to be taking longer, in fact I didn't think it would reset but eventually it did. The air tank pressure seems to go down to about 50psi when not working but goes to 80psi when working - I don't think that it was ever as high as 80psi before but to be honest I didn't take that much notice. Thanking you all in anticipation of your help. Regards, Stephen

[creahands]

Check the PSI in tank. Should be set 2 PSI lower then turn on setting for pump.

Most systems have an on at 40 and an off at 60. The starting PSI can be set lower, but the off would be set 20 PSI higher.
The adjusting info would be inside cover of pressure control switch. Be careful when working on this.

Let us know PSI in tank.

Chuck

[stephenablett]

Chuck, the Psi on the tank is now showing 72Psi and it is currently working. It cut off last night but I went straight to the control box and reset it and it kicked in right away. But the previous day the pressure was very low and it took five or six times to get it going again.

I would not know what the pump was set to but it was installed about 4 or five years ago and have had no trouble with it.

Regards, Steve

[creahands]

Hi Steve

Where is the gauge u are looking at located?

If the control panel is tripping, this is happening to protect the pump from burning out by either running to long or pumping dry. Don't know what the time limit is on your pump.

If it is pumping dry, then your well is out of water and has to replenish.

The pressure/bladder tank is checked as follows.

1. shut off water coming in from well.

2. shut off pump.

3. drain tank of water by spout at bottom. The drain spout may be located on main water line after T for tank.

4. check PSI with gauge at air inlet at top of tank.

After doing this u can turn pump back on and open valve to fill tank. Be sure to close drain spout.

The water line coming from well will look like this.

T off line will be to pressure control switch.

After this will be a T to tank.

After this will be a T to pressure gauge.

The reading on this gauge when pump goes on should be 2 PSI higher then reading u got from air valve on tank.

The pump should go off when PSI is 20 higher then turn on pressure.

The pressure switch may be bad if u are getting the different reading.

Chuck

[stephenablett]

Hi Chuck,

The gauge I'm looking at is situated at the bottom of the pressure tank on a T between tank and pipe. This is the only gauge that I can find. On the top of the tank is a small valve under a plastic cover, very similar looking to the valve on a car tyre or bicycle tyre.

The pump is not dry pumping or running too long as I have checked the electricity meter and no electricity is being used. Neither do I think that the well is dry and waiting to be replenished, as it rains a lot in the West of Ireland.

I can't seem to find the drain spout for the pressure tank. Also there does not seem to be any water in the pressure tank as it's as light as a feather and when shaken no water sloshes about. Maybe I should just go out and buy a new pressure switch - are they easy to fit?

Regards,
Steve

[creahands]

Steve

Ground water has very little to do with water in well. It , the well, is filled from fractures in the bedrock. I believe it is bedrock.

The valve ,under cap, is the valve to put air into tank or release air. Use a tire gauge to check PSI in tank.

The pressure switch is fairly easy to replace.

1. Turn off power to pump at main circuit breaker.

2. Remove cover on switch.

3. Remove electric wires.

4. Unscrew switch from pipe.

5. check inside pipe to make sure it is clean.

6. Install new switch and hook up electric wire.

7. Check inside cover of switch. Directions and setting for on/off are there. Also will tell u what factory setting is.

8. Turn on main breaker.

Is the gauge mounted on pipe leading to tank or on main line after T for tank.

Do u have a spout located anywhere near tank?

Chuck

[stephenablett]

Hi Chuck,

A strange thing happened last night - the water in the house lost pressure at the tap and I headed out to the pump room to re-set the pump but as I got there the pump tripped in its self. There was a bit of a delay from the tap running out and the pump kicking in but I can live with that. I wonder if your initial thoughts about the water level in the well running low was right. Or could it have possibly have been the pressure switch sticking.

Any how I'll monitor the situation and keep my fingers crossed that it stays as it is.

Many thanks for taking the time to advise me, it was much appreciated.

Regards,

Steve

[creahands]

Steve

My pleasure. If u are still having problems get back to us and we will go deeper into it.

Chuck

[stephenablett]

Chuck

I am still having problems with my pump. It still is hard to get it going, sometimes easier than others.

I have checked the contact breakers on the pressure switch and they seem clean and not burned or pitted. The on is still at 52Psi (not that it comes on automatically) and it goes off at 80Psi. The pressure in the tank is only 19Psi and I was wondering if that could have some bearing on the problem?

I am also considering taking the pressure switch off and seeing if there is any crud or debris causing the problem.

My other worry is that the pump is actually giving up the ghost as it is erratic in its behaviour - the more I read the more confused I get.

I also read it could be the condenser - I am not electrically competent to check problems of this nature.

Look forward to any advice you may have.
Regards

Steve

[creahands]

There could be crud in pipe going to pressure switch.

Turn off power at breaker and remove switch and check to see if pipe is clean. If not, clean out with wire from coat hanger.

The pressure in tank should be 2 PSI lower then turn of pressure switch.

Inside cover of pressure switch is the recommended on/off for pump. Usually 20 PSI difference between on and off.

Adjust to these perimeters. Then adjust the air in tank to be 2PSI lower then on setting. The tank must be set when empty.

Chuck

[stephenablett]

Chuck

I have removed the pressure control switch and the pressure gauge. There does not appear to be any crud in the pies at all. The pressure gauge however is stuck at 50psi and is removed from the pipe - obviously the gauge is faulty but that doesn't physically regulate water on or off does it? Replacing the faulty gauge would only achieve me knowing what the pressure is. Should I change the pressure switch as well?

Regards,

Steve

[creahands]

Steve

The gauge only gives u lets u know what the pressure is. Check the contacts on switch. If pitted, u can file them clean or replace switch.
Let us know how it all works with new gauge, as far as reading go.

Chuck

[stephenablett]

Hi Chuck,

Just to let you know I finally diagnosed the problem. It was a faulty capacitor.

Thanks for your help. Regards, Steve

[creahands]

Steve

Glad u solved problem.

Good luck

Chuck