Help me with my well pressure tank please

[General Lee]

Hello all,

I'm wondering if I have an issue with my pressure tank. I feel the pump kicks on to much. I did some tests today and here is what I found. Let me know what you all think. First off, the pump does not kick on unless the pressure switch calls for it so I'm good there. No leaks

I'm not sure the gallon size of my tank, its just shy of 4 foot tall and measures about 16 inches across the top. (Don't have a fabric tape to get circumference)

Pressure switch is set to 50/30 and pump kicks on about 28 psi give or take depending on how accurate the gauge is. It cuts off at about 51 psi.

It takes roughly 5 minutes with one faucet running to drop pressure from cut off to cut in. Well pump can fill the take in about 1 minute.

I drained the pressure tank by faucet and opened the bottom valve on the tank to drain the remaining water. Tank pressure measured 25.5 psi with a tire pressure gauge. With a cut in pressure of 30. Like I mentioned earlier, cut in was about 28 psi according to the gauge so it seems the bladder pressure is close to where it needs to be or is it? Wondering if I need to add a couple pounds?

Does all this seem normal for a tank this size..... I wish knew the gallon size. Maybe the bladder is a bit small for our demands. 2100sf house not including unfinished basement. 2 full bath, 5 sinks and 3 garden hose faucets, so there is a lot of piping.

 

[Cat_Driver]

32 Gal. Pressurized Well Tank-HT32B at The Home Depot

Looks like a 32 gallon tank

 

[DaveOmak]

When the pump turns off, turn on the tap and measure the amount of water that comes out until the pump turns on again.... Add air and recheck the volume of water between the pump off/on... If the volume increases repeat until you are satisfied the pressure tank has enough air in it... or decrease the amount of air until the volume of water is what you expect...

Dave

 

[General Lee]

32 Gal. Pressurized Well Tank-HT32B at The Home Depot

Looks like a 32 gallon tank

That looks about the size of it. According to the recommendation stated it the product description, to judge the size needed count all faucets, spickets, to include washing machine connections and multiply by 3. If that's the case I may be under sized.

 

[General Lee]

When the pump turns off, turn on the tap and measure the amount of water that comes out until the pump turns on again.... Add air and recheck the volume of water between the pump off/on... If the volume increases repeat until you are satisfied the pressure tank has enough air in it... or decrease the amount of air until the volume of water is what you expect...

Dave

I really don't know what volume is acceptable. My main concern is if my well pump runs to much, worried about longevity I guess. I'm satisfied with pressure. I always thought the air in the tank should coincide with what the pressure switch is set at. If I go and add air I will have to adjust the pressure switch wouldn't I? That is if I add over 30psi of air and the cut off is set to 30

 

[Craig Clayton]

I am also on the exact same system as you have. I installed my own system. I work in the electrical trade not on well pumps.
My cutout pressure is slightly lower 40PSI ( without checking ).
I run my cutin pressure lower 21 PSI (" ).
I spanned my differential pressure wider.
All seems fine with your description.
The only test I can think of is the volume test

With the tank charged turn off the well pump.
go outside and into a 5 gallon bucket fill it with tape water.
keeping refilling and dumping and counting how many buckets of water you get before the flow stops.
This will give you a volume per pump cycle.
Turn the well pump back on.

maybe post the volume ?

I added a sand screen of 1 1/4" NPT to the system years ago because I was getting micro dirt particles under my pressure switch. My entire flow comes through the screen as it enters the house. I clean this screen 4-6 months.

Craig Clayton

 

[General Lee]

With the tank charged turn off the well pump.
go outside and into a 5 gallon bucket fill it with tape water.
keeping refilling and dumping and counting how many buckets of water you get before the flow stops.
This will give you a volume per pump cycle.
Turn the well pump back on.Craig Clayton

I'm a bit confused. With the power to the pump off, I will get more water because I'll get whatever is left in the tank after volume falls below cut in pressure. Power is off so I won't know the "per cycle" volume. I can see doing this without the power shut off, that way I know what I'm getting between cut in and cut out.

 

[Craig Clayton]

In my system my cutin pressure is say 22 PSI. So my pump cuts in just before the flow stops.
so in my system starting at the top
pump stops, pressure cutout 40PSI ,tank full.
bathtub is on water flows filling tub
the flow pressure does slow
then click at 22PSI the pump starts
flow picks up
tank charges ,tub is also filling
40 PSI pump cutout.

My thoughts were that you can control the experminent as to the volume .
with the tank at cutout PSI
with no other water usage at the moment
turn off the pump.
with 5 gallon pails fill, dump ,count
until the flow stops
this will give the MAXIMUM volume available in your system.
turn the pump back on ( kids need P )

Repeat experiment
tank filled to cutout PSI
power on with a reliable helper at the pump controller listening for the cutin cycle
5 gal pail fill,dump ,count
but with your helper listening at the pump controller for the cutin and they shout upstairs ( Dad the pump just started) you stop counting pails.

This should give you MAX volume and cutin volume.

This is going to show us something ??

None of these tests should harm your system.

Craig Clayton

 

[General Lee]

Craig - have you ever volume tested your system? Curious what your results were.

 

[Gary51]

According to a couple of well digger sites I read, your tank when completely empty of water should be 28 psi air pressure (2 pounds below your cut in switch). When in use, they recommend that the pump run at least 1 minute or more to fill and then be off at least 2 minutes before kicking back on. This allows for proper cooling of your pump motor. You could certainly install a larger tank to increase your useable drawdown if needed. It may be that the current drawdown is acceptable for your family use if it is not excessively cycling. If you see that you are getting less than 1 minute run time or less than 2 minute off time, then probably do need a larger tank.