Check out some similar questions!

JamesONeal · Jul 13, 2007, 10:43 AM

I am having problems with my pump. Most of the time when I turn the water on (flush the toilet, etc.) I hear a sort of nocking on the pipes. I believe my pump is turning on and off at a constant. My husband has replaced the box that has the voltage regulator and the capacitor in it. The capacitor was leaking. The problem persists. We think it may be the pressure tank. But how can we be sure? Right now we have a WM25-WB 87 gallon tank. Do we need a tank this large? How do we know? Is there a way to test this to find out exactly what we need? I know I am asking a lot of questions all at once but I am so scared are pump is going to go out. I can't afford that!!

Thanks so much, James and Tammy:rolleyes:

speedball1 · Jul 13, 2007, 12:18 PM

On the top of your tank, and it is oversized, you will see a air "snifter valve" to charge the bladder. To test, open it and if there's water coming out of it then replace the pressure tank because the bladder has ruptured. Good luck, Tom

JamesONeal · Jul 13, 2007, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by speedball1

On the top of your tank, and it is oversized, you will see a air "snifter valve" to charge the bladder. To test, open it and if there's water coming out of it then replace the pressure tank because the bladder has ruptured. Good luck, Tom

Tom,
Thank you for the info, we did what you said and no water came out. My husband tested the pressure and there was 40 PSI. We have a 1 HP pump is my pressure tank too large for that? If so, What size do you recommend?

What else could our problem be? We bought a pressure switch 40/60 and are going to put that in tonight.

Thank you so much!!

James and Tammy

scirocco70 · Jul 14, 2007, 05:25 AM

40/60 is a good setting, though some prefer to run 30/50 to be easier on the pump.

An 87 gallon tank is big enough. If the pump is still short cycling (is it 'banging' on and off very rapidly, or just coming on and going off quickly?), then check to be sure that there are no valves between the pump and the pressure tank that may be partially closed. They should all be wide open, and should be full-port ball valves (best) or full-port gate valves. Globe valves are not as good, as they will restrict flow.

Have your husband stand near the pressure tank/switch/gauge and see what happens when you flush the toilet. Does your water surge rhythmically when you use the kitchen sink?

Of course, if none of this has changed recently, then what you've got is probably good enough.