[r3240]

I have a jet pump and a new pump relay. The pump turns at about 30 and off at 50 lbs, as it should. But runs for a short time, the water comes out of the pressure tank quicker than it use to and the pumps comes on for a short time. The pumps seems to run more often and for a shorter length of time that it use to. Pressure tank is about 5-8 years old. Replacing the pump relay did not help. Any thoughts? Thank-you

[talaniman]

If the system is operating as it should, what are you trying to achieve or change and why? Do you keep a record of this system performance to evaluate it's efficiency over TIME? You should.

What am I missing in your question?

[r3240]

Sorry, it is cycling way to often and running for a shorting length of time. The pump turns on with a very little amount of water usage. Compared to what it use to do and I am not sure when this started. Thanks

[Milo Dolezal]

Is there a leak somewhere in the system ?

[jlisenbe]

Did you drain the tank when doing this work? If so, allowed the area under the diaphragm to fill with air. It'll take a little time for that air to be gone, but once it is, your cycles should lengthen to what you were used to. I don't know of any shortcut for this.

A leak is possible, as was stated above, but you'll notice that if, when water is not being used anywhere, the pressure slowly drops for seemingly no good reason. Doesn't sound like that is happening. Give it a few weeks and you should see an improvement.

BTW, why did you replace the old pressure switch?

[r3240]

sorry wrong post

[ma0641]

?? Pump, well?

[r3240]

No I did not drain the pressure tank Do I turn off pump and allow the tank to drain of water? How long are you talking? I'll watch for a leak. I replaced the pressure switch because the contacts on the old one was arcing, pitted and had a carbon build up. I would clean the contacts and it would work for a couple weeks then when the relay pulled it would not complete the circuit. Then I would clean the contacts again and again it would work for a short time. New one took care of that problem What is the air intake for on top of the pressure tank for do I add / remove air there? So I assume when I removed the small line for the pressure switch and let air in caused the problem? Thanks!

[jlisenbe]

No, replacing the switch does not typically drain the tank unless, I suppose, you have a switch set below the level of the bottom of the tank. For now, you should set the tank pressure. Do this by turning off the breaker and opening any low level faucet to allow the system pressure to drain down to 0. You will then set the tank pressure to 28 psi with an air pump and tire gauge at the air valve at the top of the tank. Then turn the breaker back on. Might very well solve your problem.

Let me add this. The tank has a flexible divider which separates the air charge at the top from the stored water at the bottom. In practice, there should be no water at the top and no air at the bottom. If you drain the tank, or even install a new one, air is in the bottom below the divider (diaphragm) and that is a problem until it eventually dissolves a little at a time into the water. Once that is done, then the tank works at its maximum. When you set the tank pressure as I mentioned earlier, then you are setting the pressure of the air charge above the diaphragm, which allows it to function properly.

[r3240]

Thanks , I will give this a try and let you know
The only reason I feel like I should do something because I 'assume' the short pump cycle is hard on the pump and uses more electricity


Thanks again!

[jlisenbe]

You are correct concerning pump cycles.

1. Make sure you don't have a leak. If you have one, the pressure will fall even when no water is being used. Unlikely, but worth checking on.
2. Set the tank pressure as described above.
3. Cycles should be slow. A slow rise in pressure with the pump on, and then a slow fall when it turns off. Minutes, not seconds.

Let us know how it goes.

Something just occurred to me. I somehow thought you had a new pressure tank. If you are shortcycling with an older tank, then the first thing to look at is whether the tank might be waterlogged, meaning the diaphragm has a hole in it and the tank has lost its air charge. The typical way to do this is to simply depress the air valve at the top for several seconds. If water comes out, then your tank is shot and needs to be replaced.

[r3240]

That solved the issue!
Thanks!

[jlisenbe]

That solved the issue!

Did you need a new tank or just needed to set the tank pressure?