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horseloverx3 · May 18, 2009, 12:45 PM

The pressure valve shows 22 lbs. But the water just trickles out if I have more than one valve open. It's better at night for some reason. There was a little sand in the hose screens, but not much. Help!

jlisenbe · May 18, 2009, 02:12 PM

22# is not much, so that alone could cause problems. Do you have a filter or water softener on this system?

horseloverx3 · May 19, 2009, 09:24 AM

No filter or softener. The air pressure was only 28 after I emptied the tank. The sticker on the top said it was primed to 38 psi. Should I add air to 38? What's the best filter to use? I used to have one I flushed out monthly on my last property. How do I know if I need a new pressure tank? What size should I get if I have an acre to irrigate? Are two better than one? I want to protect my pump from repeatedly starting.

jlisenbe · May 19, 2009, 04:26 PM

You have an eletrical device referred to as the "switch" which controls when your pump cuts on and when it cuts off. If your system is limping along at 22#, then you need to turn up the pressure with the switch. Many people use 30# as the cut in point (pump turns on) and 50# as the cut out point (pump turns off). This site gives a very nice description of how it all works.

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

horseloverx3 · May 20, 2009, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by jlisenbe

You have an electical device referred to as the "switch" which controls when your pump cuts on and when it cuts off. If your system is limping along at 22#, then you need to turn up the pressure with the switch. Many people use 30# as the cutin point (pump turns on) and 50# as the cutout point (pump turns off). This site gives a very nice description of how it all works.

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

Thanks. I did that. Now it's up to 40 psi shut off. And 22 turn on. But when I have just ONE hose going , the pump stays on and can't get past 22-24 psi. And the hose has terrible pressure, of course. I added air to 28 psi earlier. I used to run three or four hoses and had GREAT pressure. Now what? Love that website and really appreciate you. Oh, if I do need a new pressure tank, what's the best kind? Are two bladder type better than one big one or are the other tanks better?

jlisenbe · May 20, 2009, 01:09 PM

We occasionally get this kind of question involving a well which cannot provide sufficient water volume. That seems to be your problem. It is the most difficult kind of question to handle from a distance, or at least it is to me.

Your pressure is still a little low in that the pump only cuts on at 22#. I would move that up by turning the large, center nut on the switch clockwise several more turns. Shoot for 30/50. Still, it sounds like you are not getting sufficient volume of water. I'd try a volume check. Let the system get down to the cut in pressure, run water though a hose into a 5# bucket, and see how long it takes to fill the bucket. Get back with that info.

horseloverx3 · May 20, 2009, 02:28 PM

One minute 25 seconds to fill the bucket. I just got my power bill. It was twice the normal. The pump is constantly running and can't get above 38 psi.

speedball1 · May 20, 2009, 03:20 PM

Once the pump gets up to cut out pressure does the gage hold steady od does the pressure falloff? Let me know, Tom

horseloverx3 · May 20, 2009, 03:57 PM

It stays. It went from zero to 38 and stayed there. But the pump stayed on. Hence the power bill...

speedball1 · May 20, 2009, 04:12 PM

Something's not right here. The control's calling for more pressure then the pump can produce. Is the bladder tank recharged to the correct cut in pressure? Remember the bladder tank muts be set at 2 PSI under the cut in point and that has to be set with the pump shut down and the pressure bled off. Have you done that? Let me know, Tom

mygirlsdad77 · May 20, 2009, 04:40 PM

I hate to say it, but with the info you have given, it sounds like you either have a pump problem, or a well problem. It may be time to call in a well driller to check out situation. Or you could pull the pump yourself, and test it yourself by putting it in a fifty gallon barrel of water and see what kind of gpm you get then. If still low gpm, them pump will need to be reapaired or replaced. Im really leaning towards a faulty pump on this one.

jlisenbe · May 20, 2009, 05:54 PM

I think mygirlsdad is dead on. You really need to be able to get 5 gpm from your pump. You are getting more like three. And, the pump does not seem to be able to get above 38#. It's possible you have a leak in the well pipe which affects that, but the pressure tank is not, in my opinion, your problem.

BTW, Speedball's point was: Once the pump cuts off, will your system hold pressure? If you have to, turn off the power and see if the system will hold a steady 38# (or whatever) of pressure with no water being used. He raised a really good point that you have not yet been able to address.

horseloverx3 · May 20, 2009, 06:25 PM

I tried to put air in the bladder and it only went up to 28 psi. The pump kicks on at 22 psi and doesn't shut off even at 40. I'm just having to shut it off at the fuse box now. And when it's off, there's only about a gallon of water in the tank to drain off before it's empty.