Cycle Sensor with 600 Gal storage - tuning questions

[chuckcintron]

Last year we installed a Cycle Sensor for a well that only had 80' (about 120 gallons) of static volume. It helped out a lot, with protecting the pump from run-dry.

Recently, we installed (inside house) two 300 gal reserve tanks with a jet pump. Now, I would like to tune the Cycle Sensor so that it locks out for a much longer period (I'm thinking maybe 4 hours), so the well has a long time to recover and the pump will run continuously until we hit a dry condition.

The problem is that when the Cycle Sensor locks out, it is already "too late" -- and we are seeing a lot of sediment being delivered.

Is there a better way to set this? I followed the instructions and set the current adjust on the Cycle Sensor to 0.95 of current draw right before the pump stopped filling the original pressure tank. Should I set that at a different threshold - and if so, what is a good way to figure this out, so we turn the pump off just before we hit the point where the pump is churning up sediment?

Thanks!

 

[Valveman]

It is always best to develop the well by pumping hard or blowing with air to get the sand out. If that is not possible then restricting the flow of the pump so it can't draw the well down is the next best option. The pump can be restricted down to 1 GPM if needed, and the reduced flow rate will greatly reduce sediment from the well.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

Is there a better way to set this? I followed the instructions and set the current adjust on the Cycle Sensor to 0.95 of current draw right before the pump stopped filling the original pressure tank. Should I set that at a different threshold - and if so, what is a good way to figure this out, so we turn the pump off just before we hit the point where the pump is churning up sediment?

How long does the pump run before running out of water?

How about turning off the power for a while, restore power, and watch the power draw. Note the current as it drops, and pick a higher point to adjust to.

 

[chuckcintron]

Thanks, I think we need more than 1gpm, though. It’s really tough to tell how much we get before it hits dry. Sometimes we get 100 gal in a few minutes. Other times it can sit off for three hours then hit dry after less than two minutes.

I was thinking of setting the lockout time to four hours, and hope to recover around 300 gal per 24 hour period.

 

[Valveman]

100 gallons in a few minutes is really drawing on a low producing well. I would put a ball valve on the line to the storage tank and restrict the flow so it takes at least 20 minutes to put a 100 gallons in the storage tank. Lower velocity in the well will stir up less sediment.

 

[chuckcintron]

That makes sense, thanks. I’ll try it.

 

[Valveman]

That makes sense, thanks. I’ll try it.

You will have to reset the Cycle Sensor as the amps will get lower from the restriction.