one second then off for ten

i was trying to adjust my 20 40 square d pressure switch and not having much luck increasing my water preasure . the pump started running for one second then off for ten then repeat . i replaced it with a 30 50 proplumber from lowes still does same thing . when water pressure was about 20 i let the air out of my pressure tank till it read 28 . it was at 45 . the pressure increases each time its on but only by 2 or so . now what ?

when i let the air out of my pressure tank it was about like a car tire . it took more than a second ,it took several trys . i am under the assumtion that when my water pressure gets below 30 psi my pump should run until it has 50 psi . this isnt the case . pump will only run for a second , raising psi only a couple of pounds . after ten seconds it will kick in again , raising psi a couple more pounds again . this cycle repeats itself until 48 psi is reached if water in household is not being used . please advise .

With water pressure on the water pressure gauge, checking the air pressure in the tank you get the same as the water pressure gauge....

You messed up the air pressure setting by letting air out of the tank with water in it.

The captive air pressure in the pressure tank provides the power to move water when the pump is off. If it isn't right, your water pressure won't be as good as it could be but... improper volume and psi air pressure is the primary cause of bladder type tank failure. That causes pumps to short cycle and tha tis the primary cause of pump motor failure.

If you are using a 30/50 psi setting, then the tank needs 29-28 psi air pressure with no water in the tank. That's so the tank doesn't run out of water before the pump turns on BUT...

I think you also have another problem of two so set the air pressure correctly with no water in the tank then.... you have a jet pump right?

If so get the air right and see what it does and get back here if it isn't right.

Turn off power, drain the water tank leave it open to the air, put air in the bladder tank to 2 psi less than the switch turn on pressure, close drain, turn power back on.

Rancher

everything mentioned above is exactly correct. I would just like to say that you really shouldnt mess with the pressure switch settings. It can start to get tricky with the pressure you need in your tank if you don't know exactly what your switch is set at. If you have a 20-40 switch and want more pressure, get a 30-50 or a 40-60 switch and adjust the pressure in your tank accordingly.

mattbee24 said:

everything mentioned above is exactly correct. I would just like to say that you really shouldnt mess with the pressure switch settings. It can start to get tricky with the pressure you need in your tank if you don't know exactly what your switch is set at. If you have a 20-40 switch and want more pressure, get a 30-50 or a 40-60 switch and adjust the pressure in your tank accordingly.

Click to expand...

If that is what you do you will go to a lot of trouble changing pressure switches unnecessarily.

Make sure your gauge is good and it is easy to set a new pressure on the switch if you want to keep the differential the same.

To increase the setting:
1. Run the pump until it shuts off.
2. Turn off the power.
3. Slowly drain water until the gauge reads where you want to start the pump.
4. Turn the large screw or nut in the pressure switch clockwise until it clicks to close the contacts.
5. Turn the pump on and watch where it shuts off; then drain some water until it starts again. Adjust the switch a bit if necessary.
6. Turn off the power and drain all of the water from the tank. Then add air to 2 psi less than the "Start" pressure of the switch setting.

Alternate way to set the air (Step 6 Above) if you don't have an accurate tire gauge that reads the same as the water pressure gauge:
NOTE: This applies if you have a standard tank with a real volume about 3 times the GPM rating of the pump. It does not apply if you have a mini-tank with some kind of constant-pressure system or cycle stop valve.
1. With power off, drain all of the water out of the tank.
2. Turn power on and run the pump for about 6 seconds; then turn it off. This adds some water to the tank.
3. Add air to the tank until your water pressure gauge reads the START pressure that you set on the switch.