Q&A on water pump pressure switches.
This article series explains How to Find & Adjust or Repair or Replace the Water Pump Pressure Control, what it looks like, where it is usually connected.
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These Q&A about the pressure control switch used on pump and well systems were posted originally at WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH - please check out the advice given there.
On 2018-10-16 21:42:20.462876 by (mod) -
Sounds odd; I still suspect a bad start capacitor - or you had a loose, corroded or bad electrical connection and the pump lacked voltage.
On 2018-10-16 21:33:40.719183 by Ralph Martyn
The Leader pump when plugged tries to start but does not run, when wired directly by passing the the board it works okay, where is the cause
On 2015-03-05 20:40:07.473560 by SharonMurray
I hope someone can help me. I am $400.00 lighter today due to a suspected frozen pipe. Called a nationally recognized plumber. Pipe from the wall prior to the pressure switch was replaced. I had water for 12 hours after and now nothing. The tank is empty. I had created a small closet around the tank with plastic shower curtains and added an electric heater to prevent a future freeze. I don't hear the pump engaging at all. I placed my ear to the pipe I would have heard the pump from there. It was working prior to the repair. I cannot afford another service call and would never call RR again. Whoops did I drop a name?
On 2015-01-06 22:12:06.826310 by (mod) -
To me it sounds as if the pressure switch is not accurately sensing water pressure - typically that means its sensor port is clogged. Replace the switch.
On 2015-01-06 20:57:13.521690 by Karen
I am wondering if I have a leak in the bladder.
On 2015-01-06 20:47:45.331600 by Karen
DanJoeFriendman, I have read both of those links and many more of them here. That is how I knew what to do and adjust. I have tried to lower the cutout to 60 but in doing so it also lowers the cut in well below 40. I can not adjust the small spring nut any further to compensate for the adjustments to the large spring nut. I raised the psi in the tank as suggested and backed off the nuts. It is now 45/65 but when it cycles through- when it gets to 45, it takes a sudden drop to 30 then the pump comes on. Now what?
On 2015-01-06 14:42:48.705290 by (mod) -
Karen In the ARTICLE INDEX see the article titled
PRESSURE SWITCH NUT ADJUSTMENTS
for details on how to adjust the control nuts.
Do not set pressure above 70 as doing so makes leaks more likely.
Set the pressure tank air pre-charge to 2 psi below the cut-in.
Finally, based on what you describe as the trouble you probably want to read the article (also in More Reading above) titled
WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home
On 2015-01-06 00:33:30.333120 by Karen
Also, my unit is a 40/60 unit.
On 2015-01-06 00:31:43.426690 by Karen
I had a problem with inconsistent and low water pressure. I raised the bladder pressure to 20 psi, but it did not really improve the problem, so then I adjusted the pressure nuts. Originally my cut in pressure was 24 and my cut out was 65. I adjusted it and now My cut in pressure is 37, my cut out pressure is 70. How do I lower the cut out pressure when the spring is already at its loosest point, any more and it would have no pressure at all. Am I at risk of blowing out the water lines or anything else at 70? In the complete cycle it goes from 70 to 60 in less than 10 seconds and the complete cycle takes approximately 2 minutes. Do I need to make further adjustments or do I need to replace the pressure switch unit? Can I take it off and clean it? Is there something else I can do? I have extremely hard water and do have a water softener but it is after the unit. I have not checked for plugged lines into the unit. HELP!
On 2014-12-11 22:54:55.977640 by (mod) -
RE-posting without commenter's advertisement
Ashley said:
I want to adjust the water pressure in my house. We use well water sometimes though, so I'm not sure if I can do that. I think it would be nice if we had a little more pressure when trying to shower, or even washing the dishes.
On 2014-10-11 07:56:31.968780 by Ernesto
I have a jet water pump with water pressure switch and a pressure tank, it's running well on Start/Stop automatically. I want to add a relay switch for motor protection that could run auto also on cutin/cutoff pressure of the pump discharge to the pressure tank. How to wire a relay switch of the mentioned water pump with water pressure switch.
On 2014-07-17 17:45:24.710050 by (mod) -
Ron,
Most water pressure control switches can be adjusted within a range, allowing you to up your cut-out and cut-in pressures above the factory 30/50 cut-in / cut-out pressures.
However you need to watch out: setting the pressure too high may
1. cause the pump to run indefinitely if the pump can't reach the new high pressure
2. cause plumbing leaks
Be sure that your water pressure tank has an appropriate pressure-relief valve installed.
On 2014-07-16 13:53:50.791530 by Ron Brown
I have an artiesan well 600 ft deep and would like to increase my water pressurs. I have a 1hp submersable pump with a 30 gal bladder tank. Someone told me that they mfg a swith with a higher on/off pressure paramiter, is this true. I currently have a swith that is a 30/50 on/off. Can I increase my pressure with a higher swith, thanks Ron.
On 2014-05-26 17:02:09.105730 by (mod) -
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On 2014-05-26 11:29:28.447540 by (mod) -
Andy I can't tell if the problem is that the pressure switch has failed or if the pump motor has failed and the switch is buzzing trying to turn on the pump. And if this is a deep well with a submersible pump in the well there MA be a second relay that actually turns on the pump. I would turn the system off -electrical switch - and get some help from an electrician or plumber familiar with pumps and controls. Keep us posted.
On 2014-05-26 01:31:46.108400 by Anonymous
hi my name is andy i have no water coming into house, when i cut the power on i hear a buzzing noise coming from a box under the house and no power is coming threw the grey box, how can i get water back in my house please help andy
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