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donberry · Mar 27, 2008, 08:51 AM

I installed a new submersible pump and a new 80 gallon pressure tank. Checked the pump out before hooking everything up and seems to be working fine. Hooked up the new pressure tank using the T with the pressure gauge on the left(facing the tank) and a pressure gauge on the right in the 1/4 inch holes. Also put on a drain valve(spigot) and a pressure relief valve.

All seemed well so I turned on the pressure relief valve with the spigot turned on to release any air. After nothing but water was coming out, I closed the spigot. Pressure gauge started to immediately climb, got to 50 psi and cut out as it is supposed to - problem is, the tank is not filling with water.
Checked the air pressure in the tank and it was at 40, where the pressure switch is a 30-50. So I released air out of the tank until it was around 28. Same thing. The pump kicks on and runs for a little bit, but it does not seem as though any water is going into the pressure tank itself.
I am going to use the well for irrigation and bought a big tank so it would not cycle on as much, hopefully making my pump last longer. I figured the pump would kick on, the tank would fill, then the pressure would build. Seems the pressure is building without filling the tank.
What am I doing that is stupid ?
ANY help appreciate as I have wayyyy too much invested in this and would like to get it going before the usual summer drought.
Thanks ahead of time

jlisenbe · Mar 27, 2008, 06:25 PM

I am assuming you installed the PRV and faucet somewhere on the line coming to or away from the tank as opposed to on the tank itself. I only ask because opening the faucet would release air from the line but not from the tank.

You have set the tank pressure correctly at 28#.

When you first install a bladder tank, it is filled with air above and below the bladder. The air below the bladder will eventually dissolve into the water and the tank will then have more water in it than now. The main thing I would look at is this: How much water can you get between pump cycles? I would think that an 80 gallon tank would be able to give at least 10 or 12 gallons. I imagine the literature with the tank will tell you that.