[cher4js]

Hey guys, I'm a woman doing a mans job here but with your help I think I can do it. My water pressure dwindles to nothing. I know that the pump is set to high, it goes to 80 then when the relay clicks off, it goes down in a matter of seconds. The bladder is good or it would have water coming out of the top when I release air right? 1st question) If I set the pump to 30/50 what should the air in the container be? 2nd) Do I have to let the water out of the container and the water in the pipes before setting? 3) Does anyone have any other suggestions because I'm getting sick of messing with it? Thank you in advance..
Frustrated

[talaniman]

Some added info like pump model and manufacturer would help, and how long have you had the pump? Do you have a manual? What should the settings be according to the manufacturer?

[hkstroud]

First let me congratulate you.
Apparently you have been doing some reading before asking your question.

Yes, your pressure is set too high if your pump switches off at 80. If the pressure drops dramatically when you open a faucet it is most likely that you have a ruptured bladder. A test for a ruptured bladder is to press the valve stem and see if you get water, but you have to let all the air out. If you get water after letting the air out your bladder is ruptured. If you don't get water after letting the air out the bladder isn't ruptured..

To recharge the tank with air you have to first know what the starting pressure is for the pump switch. To determine that, remove the cover of the pump switch. Open a faucet and slowly let water run. When the pressure reaches the start pressure, you will see and hear the points of the switch close.
Normally there is 20 pounds difference the starting and stopping pressures. That would mean your switch is currently set to start at 60 pounds. Far to high. To lower the starting and stopping pressure settings, you will see a screw or a nut on a large spring. You turn that screw or nut counter clockwise to lower both the start and stop pressures. Adjust your pressures by turning the nut 3 or 4 turns and let the pump come on and go off. Watch the pressure gauge and repeat until you have it where you want it.

After you have set the pressure switch you will need to recharge your tank with air. Turn the breakers to the pump OFF. If you have a drain valve, open the drain valve and another faucet and drain all the water out of the tank. If you do not have a drain valve at the tank you will have to pressurize the tank with a enough air to push all the water out of the tank (with faucet open).
After emptying the tank of all water, charge the tank with air to 2 lbs less than the cut on pressure setting of the switch. You will have to take pressure readings with a tire gauge at the valve stem of the tank. The air pressure will not show up on the pressure gauge unless you have a rupture bladder.
If after draining the tank, you get air out of the faucet or the drain valve, you have a ruptured bladder.
If you have a rupture bladder you can still charge the tank to its proper pre-charge setting and use it until it can be replaced. It will become water logged again however, and you will have to repeat the process. How long before it becomes water logged again depends on how large the tank is and how much water you use.

Normally pumps are set to come
on at 20 and off at 40 or;
on at 30 and off at 50 or;
on at 40 and off at 60.

Give it a try and let us know what happens. We will be waiting to hear form you.

[jlisenbe]

it goes to 80 then when the relay clicks off, it goes down in a matter of seconds.

That's the worrisome part. If it loses pressure when no water is being used, then you have a leak somewhere, possibly the footvalve. If it goes down when water is being used, then that does point to a waterlogged tank.

[hkstroud]

If it loses pressure when no water is being used, then you have a leak somewhere,

I agree John. A leak some where in the well pipe or in the pipe between the well and the tank would account for

My water pressure dwindles to nothing.