New pump, No pressure

I've searched the forum, but I can't really find anything that is similar to this...

I had a Craftsman Professional 1 hp Hydro-Glass Convertible Jet Pump installed and I can't keep any pressure, at all. The pump is not connected to my home, I just have two spigots that run from it so I can water my lawn with out paying the city. Well, when I first started up the pump it would go to 30 PSI, and only did once. When I turned the spigot on, it dropped to zero. I turned the spigot off, and it would float around 10 PSI and thats all I can get it too. I believe the well is no more than 25' deep and I do live in Aurora, CO (outside of Denver). I do get a steady amount of water out of it, but no pressure!!!

According to my roommate, he ran the hose from spigot that comes off of the city water and poured water into the well for about 5 minutes and managed to get it to 80 PSI, but when he turned the spigot on the well pump on, it dropped to zero. I'm not sure how he managed that since the hose is not long enough to run from the city water spigot to the well pump...

My roommate also said that they by-passed the pressure switch on the well pump, or something to that degree. I, unfortunately, was not here when the plumber installed it.

My plumber is recommending a pressure tank.. but I would like an outside opinion on this. Any information is greatly appreciated. If you need more info, I will do my best to find out. Thank you!

Your plumber needs some more money. A tank won't help a bit until you get the pump to work correctly.

Is this a new pump?

How long did your roommate run the pump with the switch bypassed?

Yes, it is a brand new pump, atleast, it better be! I don't believe he ran it for very long, according to him it went up to 80psi, he opened the spigot and it dropped to zero. I have not been able to get it up past 10 PSI at all.

One of those sears plastic pumps can't make it to 80 psi. Sixty would be close to max.

I don't know what your doing wrong, but if you can post a few pictures of your install, maybe someone can see a problem.