Scott Stemen
New Member
Describe Problem_
Mounted inside my 1750 Gallon Water Cistern is the Grundfos SQE pump and a small 4 gallon pressure tank (Flexcon FT18). I have been told by well & pump guy the pressure tank should not be mounted in the cistern and horizontal isn't good either. I would like to move it to a different location but can't find installation instructions on the web.
Currently the 4 gallon stainless steel pressure tank sites inside my main water cistern attached in a horizontal position about 4 feet directly above the SQE pump.
Have been told the purpose of this tank is to provide some (electrical term) capacitance for the pump as it turns on and off while providing water pressure to the house. Flush a toilet get a drink of water the pump would just click on then suddenly off and that i have been told is bad for the pump. So the purpose is to be a bit of a spring so the pump doesn't surge. (this is what I have been told its reason for existence. )
Question #1 Must this 4 gallon pressure tank be as close to the pump or can it be anyplace in my entire water system as long as no check valve is between the pump and the FT18?
My thinking is that if the tank was moved from inside the cistern and placed in the garage but on the same cold water line it would perform the same action. There are no check valves between the pump and my water heater in the garage. Just the house with all it's water pipes and sinks and toilets. However if placed in the garage then the pressure tank would be basically the last thing on the line before the water heater.
Question #2, If I cannot or should not mount it in the garage, (other end of the house) can I mount it about 15 or 20 feet from the pump and tank. I have a good clean location and it would work well. It would be the first thing on the line from the pump before the house. It would be moved from inside the water tank and be outside in the elements, but I would put a small housing over it to protect it.
Two pictures are attached since pictures were requested.
Image called FT-18-post.jpg is the image of how the tank is mounted now.
Image called FT-18-Place-POST.jpg is the distance from the tank to a window where I would place this thing if my Garage idea isn't good.
Any help would be great Don't hesitate to ask me computer questions.
Water pressure / tank
Flexcon Flow-Thru
Model FT18
Manufactur date shows 09.03
Installation date is May of 2007
Type of pump?
Submersible__YES______
Two wire (no control)__NO______
Three wire (control box)__YES____
Wire Size_____? 10 gauge____ Wire Length__? 10 feet______
Pump is inside water holding tank.
Size of Pump?
Motor Horsepower?_____? think 1/2 horse_____
Pump Model #__Grundfox SQE__
Date Pump Installed__2007___
Pumping from?
Cistern tank___YES____
Depth to water_4 feet___
Pump Setting__? ____
Pipe Size__1 and 1/4 __"
Drop Pipe Material
PVC_YES_______
Pressure Tank?
Bladder or diaphragm tank (one pipe to tank)___4 1/2 gallon bladder _______
Size or model of tank_Flexcon Flow-Thru FT-18 _
Air charge in top of tank, with pump off and water drained____40 +/- 5 pounds last time checked_PSI
Pressure Switch Setting?
On 30, off 50 __? Unsure______
Pump Control Method?
Cycle Stop Valve model #__? controler is CU 301 _______
Variable speed control #___?_______
Pump Start Relay (sprinkler timer, no tank)__?________
Manually turned on and off__NO Auto__________
Pump Protection
Cycle Sensor_________
Pumptec_____________
Low pressure cutoff switch (lever on side)__________
Other__Water level in tank switch _____
Filters or Softeners___Filter and softener___________
Before or after pressure tank_AFTER both pump and tank__
Type of filter____1 inch line into compressed carbon single block filter from Home Depot____
Bypass available__Not yet can be installed if recomended______
Water Used For?
House Use__Yes_____ Number of baths__3__ Number of People__2___
High Flow Showers__? no clue ___gpm?
Plus/Or
Irrigation with timers________NOPE
Irrigation with hoses________NOPE
Heat Pump_~NOT ~ _gpm?
Problems Experienced
No Water__Nope
Water only part time__Nope_
Water at all times but weak__Nope
Air in water___Nope
Pressure surging___Nope
Water Hammer (noise)___Nope
Too Much pressure___Nope
Pump makes clicking or buzzing sounds__Sounds normal______
Pressure gauge reading__Set to 80__psi
Do you have, and know how to use
an Ampmeter and Voltmeter___Yes, I also have the Grundfos R100 controller that will control the CU 301 pump control panel. Great at soldering copper pipe and electronics. SUX at PVC piping.
Mounted inside my 1750 Gallon Water Cistern is the Grundfos SQE pump and a small 4 gallon pressure tank (Flexcon FT18). I have been told by well & pump guy the pressure tank should not be mounted in the cistern and horizontal isn't good either. I would like to move it to a different location but can't find installation instructions on the web.
Currently the 4 gallon stainless steel pressure tank sites inside my main water cistern attached in a horizontal position about 4 feet directly above the SQE pump.
Have been told the purpose of this tank is to provide some (electrical term) capacitance for the pump as it turns on and off while providing water pressure to the house. Flush a toilet get a drink of water the pump would just click on then suddenly off and that i have been told is bad for the pump. So the purpose is to be a bit of a spring so the pump doesn't surge. (this is what I have been told its reason for existence. )
Question #1 Must this 4 gallon pressure tank be as close to the pump or can it be anyplace in my entire water system as long as no check valve is between the pump and the FT18?
My thinking is that if the tank was moved from inside the cistern and placed in the garage but on the same cold water line it would perform the same action. There are no check valves between the pump and my water heater in the garage. Just the house with all it's water pipes and sinks and toilets. However if placed in the garage then the pressure tank would be basically the last thing on the line before the water heater.
Question #2, If I cannot or should not mount it in the garage, (other end of the house) can I mount it about 15 or 20 feet from the pump and tank. I have a good clean location and it would work well. It would be the first thing on the line from the pump before the house. It would be moved from inside the water tank and be outside in the elements, but I would put a small housing over it to protect it.
Two pictures are attached since pictures were requested.
Image called FT-18-post.jpg is the image of how the tank is mounted now.
Image called FT-18-Place-POST.jpg is the distance from the tank to a window where I would place this thing if my Garage idea isn't good.
Any help would be great Don't hesitate to ask me computer questions.
Water pressure / tank
Flexcon Flow-Thru
Model FT18
Manufactur date shows 09.03
Installation date is May of 2007
Type of pump?
Submersible__YES______
Two wire (no control)__NO______
Three wire (control box)__YES____
Wire Size_____? 10 gauge____ Wire Length__? 10 feet______
Pump is inside water holding tank.
Size of Pump?
Motor Horsepower?_____? think 1/2 horse_____
Pump Model #__Grundfox SQE__
Date Pump Installed__2007___
Pumping from?
Cistern tank___YES____
Depth to water_4 feet___
Pump Setting__? ____
Pipe Size__1 and 1/4 __"
Drop Pipe Material
PVC_YES_______
Pressure Tank?
Bladder or diaphragm tank (one pipe to tank)___4 1/2 gallon bladder _______
Size or model of tank_Flexcon Flow-Thru FT-18 _
Air charge in top of tank, with pump off and water drained____40 +/- 5 pounds last time checked_PSI
Pressure Switch Setting?
On 30, off 50 __? Unsure______
Pump Control Method?
Cycle Stop Valve model #__? controler is CU 301 _______
Variable speed control #___?_______
Pump Start Relay (sprinkler timer, no tank)__?________
Manually turned on and off__NO Auto__________
Pump Protection
Cycle Sensor_________
Pumptec_____________
Low pressure cutoff switch (lever on side)__________
Other__Water level in tank switch _____
Filters or Softeners___Filter and softener___________
Before or after pressure tank_AFTER both pump and tank__
Type of filter____1 inch line into compressed carbon single block filter from Home Depot____
Bypass available__Not yet can be installed if recomended______
Water Used For?
House Use__Yes_____ Number of baths__3__ Number of People__2___
High Flow Showers__? no clue ___gpm?
Plus/Or
Irrigation with timers________NOPE
Irrigation with hoses________NOPE
Heat Pump_~NOT ~ _gpm?
Problems Experienced
No Water__Nope
Water only part time__Nope_
Water at all times but weak__Nope
Air in water___Nope
Pressure surging___Nope
Water Hammer (noise)___Nope
Too Much pressure___Nope
Pump makes clicking or buzzing sounds__Sounds normal______
Pressure gauge reading__Set to 80__psi
Do you have, and know how to use
an Ampmeter and Voltmeter___Yes, I also have the Grundfos R100 controller that will control the CU 301 pump control panel. Great at soldering copper pipe and electronics. SUX at PVC piping.