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willarrington · Oct 27, 2008, 02:46 PM

We had a submersible pump placed in our shallow well. I had a couple of questions about it. The set up is 1/2 HP pump at 38 feet which is 2 feet off the bottom. It has 3 wires. The pipe comes out of the well, up and over our pre charged pressure tank, down and out to the pipe running to the house. The house is 400 feet away. Off the pipe going over the tank there is 1 flexible piece of tubing which courses around to the bottom of the pressure tank. THe pressure gauge and the pressure switch are both on the pipe going over the tank and on the side of the tank going to the house. He first had the settings on the switch at 20/40 which caused low water pressure and the pump was always running. We turned it up to 27/48 and it worked much better with the pressure at the house. My question is - is that the correct way to hook up the pressure tank, and I am not sure what the pressure in the tank. 2. What do you think the pressure should be set at to get adequate pressure that far away using 1 1/4 in pipe. 3. Does it hurt to run pressure at 35/55 to increase the pressure at the house. Thanks for your help.

speedball1 · Oct 27, 2008, 03:23 PM

1)What is the correct way to hook up the pressure tank"?

I have put up a typical installation,(see image) to guide you.

2). What do you think the pressure should be set at to get adequate pressure that far away using 1 1/4 in pipe.

You set the bladder tank at 2 PSI under the cut in point. If you're set at 27/48 your tank should be pressured, (after the pump's shut off and the system bled down), up with 25 PSI.
[QUOTE][ 3). Does it hurt to run pressure at 35/55 to increase the pressure at the house./QUOTE] No, there are many systems that have a 30/50 control box. Good luck, Tom

willarrington · Oct 27, 2008, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the diagram. The plumber stated that the precharged pressure tank only has one opening in the bottom, is that true. Also what happens if the pressure in the tank is set at 30 #s and your switch is set at 27. The tankcame from sears and I think it is a simmer. It is a 35 gallon tank. How long should it take for the pump to kick on if you opened the valve after the switch wide open. Ours kicks on after about 15 seconds. Thanks seems like to me like the pressure tank is not working properly.

jlisenbe · Oct 27, 2008, 06:16 PM

Will, Speedball's diagram is of the old galvanized tank with two openings, one for water in and the other for water out. Your tank will have one opening at the bottom. It is usually accessed by a T fitting underneath, but it doesn't have to be. Your way will work fine and is similar to what is shown on this site: Well Pressure Tank: Homeowner's Blog

If your pump is cutting on at 27#, your tank pressure should be set to 25#. This needs to be done with the system off and the tank drained. You found, as many have, that 20/40 is kind of low.