reasonable/cheap shallow pump that'll do 40/60?

[Lynn H]

EDIT; this is a spring system, not a well system. Storage tank is gravity fed.

Wondering if anyone can recommend a reasonably priced/cheap above ground shallow well pump that can take a 40/60 pressure switch or comes with one? I'd be happy with a cheap one that lasted 8 years or a reasonable one that lasted 15 - 20.

What I have now is a 1/2 HP Home Depot one that they said would take a 40/60 switch- but it won't. That HD one would be fine if it did take a 40/60. Just one floor, 2 showers. I'm on a 5000k gal water storage tank which is up a hill.

Be nice if the pump had 1 1/4 intake and 1 inch out, wouldn't have to redo as much plumbing.
Thanks if anyone can.

Also, I'm reading that a pressure tank that is at 38 psi needs a 40/60 for the system to function well. If this isn't true let me know? My water pressure isn't the best.

EDIT; Oof.. The water storage tank is maybe 60 ft away but is uphill. Is this the head footage? My friend installed a system but I think I have to re-figure it out and replace the pump myself.

 

[Reach4]

I am not understanding your situation

1. Is the pump at ground level?
2. Is the pressure switch at ground level and/or at the pump? Are you saying that the current pump comes with built-in pressure switch, and that pressure switch cannot be adjusted up to 40/60 psi, or are you saying that the pump cannot achieve 60 psi?
3. Does the only pump pump water up to a storage tank that is X feet above the altitude of the pump? What is X?
4. What keeps water from pouring out of the storage tank?
5. How far down from the pump is the surface of the water?
6. Is this a 2-inch diameter well or is there some other reason that you cannot use a submersible pump?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Lynn H]

Spring system, not well system.

1. yes pump is at ground level.
2. pump comes with pressure switch. Specs say do not adjust over 50 psi. Switch can not be switched out.
3. pump pumps water from storage tank to pressure tank to house. Storage tank is gravity fed from a spring. pump is below storage tank.
4. it's a capped plastic/resin tank.
5. no well. spring is above storage tank.

The pump's drainage plug also broke last night when I tried to tighten it. Piece of absolute crap- it isn't even a real bolt- it's a piece of plastic welded onto metal threads..

 

[Lynn H]

I am not understanding your situation

1. Is the pump at ground level?
2. Is the pressure switch at ground level and/or at the pump? Are you saying that the current pump comes with built-in pressure switch, and that pressure switch cannot be adjusted up to 40/60 psi, or are you saying that the pump cannot achieve 60 psi?
3. Does the only pump pump water up to a storage tank that is X feet above the altitude of the pump? What is X?
4. What keeps water from pouring out of the storage tank?
5. How far down from the pump is the surface of the water?
6. Is this a 2-inch diameter well or is there some other reason that you cannot use a submersible pump?

Got one. All the town had under $900 was flotec. Got a 1 HP good for 40/60. Thanks for responding Reach.

 

[Valveman]

If the storage tank is 60' above the pump, the pump is being fed with 25 PSI. That 25 PSI can be added to whatever the pump will do. A pump that will work at 40/60 will work at 60/80 when being fed with 20 PSI. But no matter what you set the pressure switch to work at, you will be at the low end most of the time. With a 40/60 switch the pressure is closer to 40 when water is being used. Adding a Cycle Stop Valve and using a small pressure tank you can have 55 PSI string and constant for the entire time water is being used. Although 55 PSI is within the 40/60 band and you are not really increasing the pressure setting, constant 55 PSI will seem so much stronger than when the pump is cycling between 40 and 60 over and over that you will no longer even need soap in the shower. Lol! If you can turn it up to 60/80 and use a CSV to get 75 PSI constant, shower pressure will feel like a car wash wand. The CSV was really designed to make pump systems last longer and use smaller tanks, but the strong constant pressure is a major benefit.

 

[Lynn H]

Valveman thanks. I looked up the CSV valve last night and may get one later. Right now just need the water on. Looks like a nice idea.

They didn't have 3/4 hp in stock so I got a 1 hp only to find out it's too much volume for the PT. 18 per minute vs 11 actual capacity for the PT. Not much in stock in town..

 

[Valveman]

Valveman thanks. I looked up the CSV valve last night and may get one later. Right now just need the water on. Looks like a nice idea.

They didn't have 3/4 hp in stock so I got a 1 hp only to find out it's too much volume for the PT. 18 per minute vs 11 actual capacity for the PT. Not much in stock in town..

Lol! All pumps are "too much volume for the pressure tank". That is why a Cycle Stop Valve is so important. The CSV fixes that problem and many others.