[RickDes]

It had been working OK except for low water pressure. I've tried everything to get it working again including switching out the tank (the tank has 27 psi pressure) and putting in a new pipe with a new foot valve. I still can't get there pump to turn off. I have to turn the breaker off and then I turn it on when I want water. It does not lose pressure or prime when I turn it off then back on. The only thing that happened was that my well is low due to a drought in this area. It never ran out of water but it was pretty low only about 2 feet about the foot valve. Before I changed the pipe and valve I did notice that when the pump tried to turn off I would see bubbles in the well. What does that mean? Also I should note that when the pump turns off and before it cycles back on there is this noise that sounds like air being pushed out. I don't understand why there would be so much air in the line. The new foot valve works fine.

[jlisenbe]

If I am understanding you correctly, you have one pipe running into the well. If that is the case, then be aware that water depth is critical for you. It won't work at all much past twenty five feet, so if your water table has dropped even a few feet, it can make a big difference. Since you can see the water, drop a line to it and see what your depth is.

The air part could indicate a leak in your line, but that typically also causes the pump to lose prime.

One more item. How far below the water is the foot valve?

[speedball1]

Jlisenbe nailed it! I agree that everything checks out. The only other thing is a lowered water table. Have you enough depth in your well to dfro[ the suction line anpther 15 or 20 feet? Good luck, Tom

[RickDes]

Thanks for your answers. My well sits about 25 feet deep. My foot valve basically sits at the bottom of the well. Someone told me that the pressure tube that goes between the pump and the pressure switch sometimes becomes blocked and needs to be blown out and that can cause a similar problem to what I have. Someone else told me that the pressure switches themselves only last a few years and its probably the switch itself. I don't want to drain the tank again if its not that problem. When I turn the breaker on I have enough water to do 2 loads of laundry, run the dishwasher, take a shower, and flush the toilet twice so I don't think it's a lack of water in the well at this point.

Here's another question I have. The tank is a small Flotec 15 gallon with 27 psi pressure. When the pump goes to turn off it sounds like its pushing pressure out. If it is doing this and the pressure when it turns off goes below the cut off would this cause the pump to immediately turn back on? This is what sounds like is happening but I don't know how to fix it. I know there is no leak in the line because it sits totally above the surface and when I fill the line with water it stays and does not drain. Also I wish I knew more about the pressure switch. Am I looking at a max 30-50 pressure so that means when I turn the nuts counter clockwise I'm lessening that pressure to below the 30-50 pressure line? If I back out both nuts then what am I lessening the pressure to? I'm just wondering if I have too much psi in the tank and should let some air out and try that. I guess I'm grasping at straws here.

[jlisenbe]

The little tube going to the switch might be clogged, but that is not likely your problem. The job of the switch is to sense when the pressure is up to a preset point where it will turn the pump off. Your system's pressure is not getting to that point. When you say the tank has 27# pressure, I understand you to mean that you are using a tire gauge to measure pressure at the top of the tank. If that is so, then your pump is not able to get over 27# of pressure. If you have a 30/50 switch, then it will not cut your pump off until it gets to 50#.

Rick, your well is 25' deep. If the water is sitting 2' above the foot valve, as you stated, then your water depth must be about 23'. That's really pushing it. In addition, it is quite possible that, when your pump cuts on, it drops the water level enough to allow some air to be pumped, which would explain the air sounds you keep describing.

I'm not sure you will see your problem solved with your current setup. Below I've pasted a product description from a Craftsman jet pump. Notice what it says about "depth to water".

Product Description

1/2 hp Hydro-Glass® Shallow Well Pump and 6 gallon Captive-Air® tank simplifies installation and accommodates space constraints. Capable of pumping up to 7.3 GPM.

* Depth to water - 20 feet or less
* 30/50 pressure range
* Built-in Check Valve - prevents pumped water from returning to source
* Built-in shallow well jet - eliminates additional purchase
* Dual voltage (115 or 230)
* Tank drawdown - 1.8 gallons - amount of usable water available before pump turns on
* Limited 2 year warranty

[speedball1]

when the pump goes to turn off it sounds like its pushing pressure out.

Pushing pressure out of what? Then bladder tank? A faucet?
Your control box came preset to 30/50 why are you diddling with the control screws in the box? Back to you, Tom

the pressure when it turns off goes below the cut off would this cause the pump to immediately turn back on?

No! The contact points should remain open until the pressure drops below the cut in point.

[RickDes]

I don't appear to be any closer to figuring out the problem. I am still using a circuit breaker to turn the pump on and off. I'll try to answer some of your questions and maybe things will be clearer. Please keep in mind that this was a working situation until just recently. My well is 25 feet deep but right now the water level is only about three feet above the foot valve , which sits just about at the bottom of the well. Yes, I am using a tire gauge to measure the pressure in the tank which, as I said, is about 27 psi. The pump DOES turn off so I believe that the pump is reaching the cut off pressure. The pump turns off then I hear this air sound I'm talking about and the pump turns right back on a few seconds later. Its almost as if I reach the 50 psi and then in a matter of seconds I'm losing enough pressure to go back to the cut in pressure. You asked about playing with the pressure switch. I've used this system for about seven years and every year I've had to adjust the cut in/out pressure to correct similar problems to the one I have now or other problems like the pump doesn't turn off at all. Usually it doesn't take much adjustment to get it to work correctly -- until now. So since I have changed the pipe, the foot valve, the tank, and the pump what's left? Is it the water depth? How much water do I need to have in the well for this to work corrrectly? Or maybe I just have bad pressure switches -- do they go bad over time? Or maybe it's the pumps themselves -- they are both 5-7 years old. Any suggestions would be appreciated.