Submersible Well Pump Off Pressure Craziness

[BREALYTREN]

Hello,
When adding salt to my softener near my pressure tank and while at the same time my daughter was taking a shower, I noticed my pump was short cycling. The switch installed is a 30/50 and as I watched it cycle, this what I noticed. Pressure on the gage would bleed down to 32 psi and the pump would come on, however as the pump ran and the pressure rose I noticed that once it got to 40 psi, the pressure would rapidly spike to 50 psi....the pump would shut off....and the pressure would immediately fall back to 40 psi. This then gives me about an 8 psi swing from on to off...i.e. my short cycle. My question...what could be causing the split second pressure spike from 40 - 50 psi as the tank fills? I'm at a total loss. Thanks in advance!

 

[Valveman]

Probably a waterlogged tank. The normal everyday cycling makes the tank bladder go up and down until it tears, then water gets on top and makes the pump cycle rapidly. Nearly all problems with a pump system are caused by the pump cycling on and off. Stop the cycling, make everything last longer, and get strong constant pressure to the house.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

Hello,
When adding salt to my softener near my pressure tank and while at the same time my daughter was taking a shower, I noticed my pump was short cycling. The switch installed is a 30/50 and as I watched it cycle, this what I noticed. Pressure on the gage would bleed down to 32 psi and the pump would come on, however as the pump ran and the pressure rose I noticed that once it got to 40 psi, the pressure would rapidly spike to 50 psi....the pump would shut off....and the pressure would immediately fall back to 40 psi. This then gives me about an 8 psi swing from on to off...i.e. my short cycle. My question...what could be causing the split second pressure spike from 40 - 50 psi as the tank fills? I'm at a total loss. Thanks in advance!

It could be that your air precharge is way low. Some better tanks have an interior dome that prevents the diaphragm from over-expanding. That is good.

Drop the water pressure to zero. Check the air precharge, and set to 30 ( if you cut-in is 32 -- 2 psi lower than cut-in).

When the pump is turned on, but not running the air pressure will be about the same as the water pressure. That test is only to compare calibration on the air and water pressure gauges.