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Churchill66542 · May 17, 2012, 06:33 PM

I have a 1/2 hp jet pump in the basement that is connected to expansion tank. We replace the pump 1 month ago and can't get more than 30 psi out of it. The old one was at about 42 psi. Any ideas on how I can get to about 50-60 psi on the pump?

jlisenbe · May 18, 2012, 03:28 AM

Does the pump get to thirty and cut off, or does the pump continue to run but just can't get past thirty pounds?

If the pump gets to thirty and cuts off, then you can adjust the cut off pressure up at the switch. With power off, remove the grey cover and turn the large center nut a couple of full turns clockwise. Turn the power back on and see what you have. Continue to adjust until you get where you want to be. Might be a little tough getting to sixty, but you can buy a new switch that is preset to come on at forty and cutoff at sixty.

You might also want to check your tank pressure setting. With power off and the tank drained to zero pressure on your pressure gauge, check the tank pressure at the litte air valve at the top of the tank. It should be set to two pounds BELOW the point where the pump turns on. So, if your pump cuts on at twenty, the tank pressure would be set to eighteen.

speedball1 · May 18, 2012, 04:35 AM

Great advice by jlisenbe. I'm thinking simply swap the control box for a 30/50 one. Good luck, Tom

Churchill66542 · Jun 18, 2012, 08:14 AM

The pump can't get past 30 lbs. I have the pressure tank set at 8-10, since the pump cuts on at 10 psi soinc it won't go over 30.

Someone told me to check the ejector. Is this in the well with the check valve, and would this matter?

jlisenbe · Jun 18, 2012, 11:29 AM

You have found your problem. The pump cuts on at 10#, which is crazy low. You will either have to replace the switch with a 30/50 switch like I have linked below, or adjust the switch as I advised above.

Or possibly you are saying you adjusted the switch down so it would cut off at 30# as that is all you can get out of your pump?? If that is the case, then call the pump manufacturer since I would think it is under warranty.

Not real sure what an ejector is. I would just eject that advice.

Square D Pumptrol 9013FSG2J21 Well Tank Pressure Switch 30-50 psi - FreshWaterSystems.com

Churchill66542 · Jun 18, 2012, 12:00 PM

It currently has a 30/50 switch, but the pump won't get over 30 psi. But I replaced with the same and we were gettingi 45-55 psi on the old pump. Do you think this pump is to small or bad? They won't take it bad because its to small, but will if its defected.

jlisenbe · Jun 18, 2012, 02:50 PM

I have the pressure tank set at 8-10, since the pump cuts on at 10 psi.

I took from that that the pump does not come on until the pressure drops to 10#. If that is the case, then your 30/50 switch is not operating correctly. However, I might have misunderstood.

The pump should have specs in a manual. It should be able to pump up to a certain pressure and deliver so many gallons per minute at that pressure from a particular depth of water. If it's not doing that, then you can certainly tell the manufacturer it is defective.

Churchill66542 · Jun 19, 2012, 06:48 AM

Well I was told there had to be a difference of 20 between the settings. So if my pump is only running 30 psi I have to set 10/30 which is really low. Then I have to set my pressure tank at about 8 psi, to make it all correct. So is my pump to small, or is the switch not working correctly?

jlisenbe · Jun 19, 2012, 07:35 AM

The switch is just doing what you "told" it to do. The pump seems to be the problem. As I said earlier, the pump is spec'd to do certain things. The manual will tell you what it is supposed to do. I doubt that it is too small.

Two important questions:
1. How many pipes go into the well, one or two?
2. How far down to water?

Churchill66542 · Jun 19, 2012, 07:37 AM

1) 2 pipe system
2) 25' down to water, and another 30-40 feet to house

jlisenbe · Jun 19, 2012, 10:00 AM

Can you give us the manufacturer and model # of the pump? At 25', you should be getting plenty of water.

Churchill66542 · Jun 19, 2012, 10:04 AM

DAYTON

1D877 1/2 HP JET PUMP

The water does run through pump into expansion tank, up through UV light, through whole house purifier before being dispursed.

jlisenbe · Jun 19, 2012, 01:56 PM

This is what the manufacturer says your pump should deliver. As you can see, at 30' down and at 30# of pressure, it should be delivering about 11 gallons per minute. I am going to guess you aren't getting anything close to that. If that is the case, then I'd call whoever I bought it from and ask them what they recommend. I also included a link to your pump's specs.

GPM of Water @ 10 Ft @ 30, 50 PSI 14.3 7.8
GPM of Water @ 20 Ft @ 30, 50 PSI 10.0 6.0
GPM of Water @ 30 Ft @ 30, 50 PSI 11.2 5.5

Lo and behold, it turns out you do need an "ejector" for your pump. I have always heard it referred to as the venturi assembly, so the term did not register with me. I would not think that would be your problem, but you will notice that there is an ejector to right of the page I linked that says it is specific to your pump. So, call those folks and run it by them.

Before you call, use a five gallon bucket to determine how much volume the pump is delivering. Let the water run from an outside spigot for ten minutes or so to use up the pressure tank's reserve, then time a minute as water runs into the bucket. The amount in the bucket after a minute is the gpm the pump is delivering.

Pump, Jet, 1/2 HP - Convertible Well Jet Pumps - Well Pumps - 1D877 : Grainger Industrial Supply

Churchill66542 · Jul 7, 2012, 12:36 PM

OK I changed out the pipe, venturi and foot valve and installed a 1hp jet pump. Everything ran good unitl I ran the outsdie faucet and I lost prime again. I pull the plug and add water and try to reprime and nothing. ButI have to keep adding water when I pull the plug. Does that mean foot valve is bad already?