new pressure tank problems

OK, my old pressure tank was short cycling and water came out of the valve on top of the tank. Also water would not drain from the tank, so I figured the bladder was shot.
So today I installed a new H2O-to-w 20gal pressure tank and a new 30/50 pressure switch.
Problem is this: The pump (deep well) stays on constantly at 10 psi. The tank will not fill with water. I have water pressure, but not much.
I cleaned the tee pipe out and the 1/4 pipe that the pressure switch is connected to and everything is clear.
I tried adjusting the air charge in the tank, draining the water out etc, but no dice. The pressure just stays at 10psi and the tank does not fill.
I've been screwing with this thing all day and I'm at wits end.
Any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong??

This is no longer a tank problem. Your pump will not build more than 10 PSI for some reason. What kind of pump?

valveman said:

This is no longer a tank problem. Your pump will not build more than 10 PSI for some reason. What kind of pump?

Click to expand...

I have no idea what kind of pump is being used, I only know that it is not a jet pump, it's the type that is down in the well. The well was also only drilled about four or five years ago, if that makes any difference?

If the pump is down in the well then you have a submersible pump.

One of the possible failure modes is that the bladder failure and/or a switch failure allowed the pump to run when the tank was full and burst the pipe in the well. That would cause the symptoms that you have observed.

Is there a pressure relief valve at the inlet area of the tank?

The condition of the pump can be assessed by someone who has a clamp-on ammeter.

If the current is near the correct operating range when the pump is running then it is probably delivering water and it is probably leaking out somewhere between the pump and the tank.

If the current is low, then the pump may have been damaged and it is unable to pump water at the required pressure.

Most tank setups have a place to connect a hose to drain the tank. Put a hose on it; open the valve; and turn on the pump. See how much flow you get from the hose.

After the hose if flowing well, measure the flow rate (gallons per minute into a bucket), then close the valve and see if you build pressure.

If you can't build pressure then you probably need a well/pump person to diagnose and fix the problem.

If you are an avid and skilled DIYer, and the pump is not too far down in the well, you could try it yourself.

There IS a pressure relief valve at the inlet.
When I attach a hose to the drain at the bottom of the tank and open it with the pump running I actually get VERY good pressure. I'll see if I can build pressure that way with the new tank installed now.
I'm not sure how far down in the well the pump is. If I call the people who installed it would they be able to tell me?
I appreciate all the information guys, this has been makng me nuts.

How about changing the gauge. It may not be working properly.

bob...

speedbump said:

How about changing the gauge. It may not be working properly.

bob...

Click to expand...

I did change that as well. If I try running a faucet while, for instance, the washing machine is filling the water pressure drops off to nothing and the gauge falls to almost zero.
The pump put about four gallons in a bucket in 60 seconds straight off the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. I only get about a gallon off the outside spigot.
I guess if it's the pump that's bad I'll have to have the well guy come out and look at it.

Sounds like the rapid cycling from the waterlogged tank caused damage to the Pump as well.

bob...

speedbump said:

Sounds like the rapid cycling from the waterlogged tank caused damage to the Pump as well.

bob...

Click to expand...

Ah, that's what I was afraid happened. Geuss I'll give them a call Monday and see what needs to be done. Swapping out the pump may be a bit over my head.
Thanks again guys.