Problem after pump replacement

[the_raven51]

I just replaced my pump which was a 1/2 hp Flowtech with a 1 hp Flowtech. After I got everything hooked up and primed the pump keeps kicking on and off constantly. The pressure gauge on the pump will go up to about 60 psi, the pump will kick off and the pressure will imediately drop to about 28 psi and the pump will kick on again. Its factory set at 30/50. The only way I can get it to cycle a little slower is by almost closing the control valve but it was about 3/4 open on the old pump. The well is 85' deep. Thank you for any help.

Kevin

[hj]

The most likely reason is that the tank has either too much, or too little, air pressure in it. Too much and the air pressure prevents the water from entering the tank, and too little means it is full of water and there is no room left in the tank for more storage. Either one will cause your symptoms.

[Hube]

Hj gave you the cause of the problem.
Now here is the cure;
Shut off pump power,drain pressure tank, check out the air pressure in tank.. it should be 1 or 2 psi below "pump "cut-in" setting, if not, add or let air out if required.
if, as you say, your pump setting is 30/50, then air pressurize the tank to 28.
Turn pump power back on,. And try it out for a couple of cycles.
Let us know how you make out.

[Gary Slusser]

I just replaced my pump which was a 1/2 hp Flowtech with a 1 hp Flowtech. After I got everything hooked up and primed the pump keeps kicking on and off constantly. The pressure gauge on the pump will go up to about 60 psi, the pump will kick off and the pressure will immediately drop to about 28 psi and the pump will kick on again. Its factory set at 30/50. The only way I can get it to cycle a little slower is by almost closing the control valve but it was about 3/4 open on the old pump. The well is 85' deep. Thank you for any help.

Kevin

It sounds as if you have a leaking foot valve etc. or does the pump shut off and stay off until you use water?

If the pump just keeps going on and off, you have a leak. Shut off the water past the pressure tank and if the problem persists, then you have a leak between the foot valve and pump. If the pressure holds, then you have a leak past the pressure tank.

Assuming a two line deep well jet pump due to the depth of the well, did you change the jet in the j-body in the well to match the new larger pump? If not then that can be the cause of the problem. Or a blocked jet is the problem. A 1/2 or 3/4 hp same gpm pump would have been the better choice.

Why did you replace the pump?

Gary
Quality Water Associates

[speedbump]

As long as he keeps buying Flotech's, he'll be changing it all the time anyway Gary.


What kind of tank do you have? Bladder or Galvanized?

bob...

[the_raven51]

Thank you everyone for your help. The reason I replaced the pump was because the original one burned up on me. It smelled like the windings in the motor went bad. I went with the 1hp because that was the smallest deep well pump Home Depot had and I was in a hurry. Being new to wells, I didn't think it would matter that much on the pump size. I've learned a lot in the past couple days. My pressure tank was a bladder tank that had a bad bladder in it so I just replaced it with a new bladder tank. In the process of replacing it I found out that the fittings going to my pressure tank were almost clogged. After replacing the fittings and hooking everything back up the system seems to be working great even with the 1 hp pump.

Now that it seems to be ok now, should I have to worry about jet in the j-body not matching my pump? Could this cause any problems in the future? Also what pump manufacture would you suggest? I'm starting to realize that Flowtechs don't seem to be the greatest.

Kevin

[Gary Slusser]

Since the fittings were blocked up, the pipe back to the well and down the well to the foot valve is/are more than likely at least partially blocked too. And the inlet to the foot valve can be partially blocked. Any of that can cause the pump to starve for water and run longer'n longer for each pump run and then the pump will eventually have problems building enough pressure to shut it off.

The jet in the well isn't a no or go situation but going from a 1/2 hp to 1 hp is quite a jump and the pump won't be able to deliver the water it would with its own jet.

As to pumps, I like Gould's and Sta-Rite and AquAmerica, but there are may good pumps, they just are not sold through big box stores.

Gary
Quality Water Associates