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jlisenbe · Mar 8, 2011, 05:06 PM

When you say "it loses pressure", do you mean for a second or two, or for a much longer period? With basically no elevation to pump from, your pump should be giving you enough water for two houses. If you are still using the 5 gallon pressure tank, then this is what you should see. When you use water, the pressure will drop rather rapidly from 40 to 20, maybe measured in seconds. When the pump cuts back on, then it should be able to pump pressure back to 40 in fairly short order. If pressure drops at all, it should be very brief, a second or two. Is that what you are seeing, or have you changed the tank for a larger one?

sjthomas00 · Mar 8, 2011, 06:00 PM

WE got a bigger tank it is 42 gallon and a different pump . When it drops is very shortly after pump kicks on after have water running for about a min to two . The pressure will drop completely then it builds back up and cuts off about five minutes ten minutes tops . WE found a little leak in the line that comes from the top of the pump that runs to the main line of the house . Very very small leak that only drips when water is off . Could that have something to do with it ?

hkstroud · Mar 8, 2011, 06:01 PM

Let's recap everything.

You have a holding tank 7 or 8 feet out side the home approximately 8 foot deep.
You have a jet pump 4 foot inside the home. A jet pump with two pipes to the holding tank with a foot valve. You also have a check valve inside.

What size are the pipes to the holding tank and what size is the pipe to the bladder tank.

Pump pressure switch is set to 20/40. Bladder tank is was pressurized to 18 lbs.

The tank was empty when you pressurized it, wasn't it?

If you press the valve stem now, do you get air or do you get water coming out?

Not sure about your last statement. I think what you are saying is the pump comes on and off properly when not water is being used and pressure is maintained in the tank.

When a faucet is opened, the pressure drops rapidly but only momentarily until the pump comes on and gets up to speed.

Is my understanding correct?

Sorry about all the questions, please remember I can't see from my house to yours.

PS
Please use the "Answer This Question" block only to respond. Do not use the comments feature. Your responses are showing up twice.

sjthomas00 · Mar 8, 2011, 06:01 PM

jlisenbe WE got a bigger tank it is 42 gallon and a different pump . When it drops is very shortly after pump kicks on after have water running for about a min to two . The pressure will drop completely then it builds back up and cuts off about five minutes ten minutes tops . WE found a little leak in the line that comes from the top of the pump that runs to the main line of the house . Very very small leak that only drips when water is off . Could that have something to do with it ? Please excuse me how I am answering or replying still trying to learn the sight

sjthomas00 · Mar 8, 2011, 06:06 PM

hkstroud First thank you for telling me how to answer propley . Yes to all but the bladder tank it is good . And when we first check it it was empty . But we have found a very tiny leak in the line from the pump to the main line inside the house . Could this have something to do with it ?

sjthomas00 · Mar 8, 2011, 06:08 PM

And when it drops when the pump kicks on it goes completely to zero then I turn faucet off it build back up

hkstroud · Mar 8, 2011, 06:32 PM

A small leak in the line between the holding tank and the pump might have something to do with it if the leak is sufficient for the pump to loose its prime. Somehow right now I don't think that's the problem.

Right now I seem to be focused on the bladder tank. Sound like some kind of delay or restriction between the pump and the tank. What size pipe between the pump and the bladder tank?

When you set the system up, you pressurized the bladder tank to 18 lbs and then turned the pump on, right? In other words, the tank was completely empty of water when you pressurized it.

Most people prefer a little higher pressure than you are currently using. Most people prefer a 30/50 or a 40/60 setting. You might want to increase the settings. A higher setting will give you more storage in the tank.

sjthomas00 · Mar 8, 2011, 06:47 PM

hkstroud the size pipe that we got between the pump and tank is 3/4" cpvc and yes the tank was empty . We will try to set pressure higher like the 30/50 and see what that does . Now I should have have right at 28 maybe a little higher in the tank right ? When I adjust the settings

hkstroud · Mar 8, 2011, 07:11 PM

Remove switch cover and tighten nut on large spring. Pump should come on. Adjust slowly. Keep tightening until desire cut off pressure is reached.

Turn pump off and drain tank. Disconnect piping to drain if you don't have a drain valve. Pressurize tank to two pounds below cut on pressure. Cut in pressure will be 20 pounds below cut off pressure.

Is 3/4" size of the output of the pump or did you bush it down? Would have expected a little larger size but it depends on the size of the pump.