Hi Everyone,
I just brought a rental house which is right next door to me, how convenient and the house has sat for several years empty. I have a jet pump with ejector type system. I recently replaced the pump with same HP and voltage and the system came to full charge. With the main valve off to the house side, I watched the pressure drop off. So, I know some where I have a leak or the foot valve is malfunctioning. No leaks in the house, so off I go with shovel in hand and dig up my well, which I found to be several feet under ground. As I got closer water started to come up to the surface, showing that I am real close. I relieve the pressure from the system. Fixed the faulty leaks and pull the pipes from the well to inspect and make sure the foot valve was in working order, which it was, water remained in the piping. Put everything back and Primed the system, bleed the air several times. Run water from the nearest faucet, got great water pressure and volume. Nothing but water, turn off the faucet and waited for the system to fully charge, never did. The pressure comes up to 40 PSI and no more than that. I turned off the water pump to see if the system holds pressure. I left it set for 45 minutes, the needle did not move a bit. I am not sure what to do next. The system worked fine before messing with well, except for leaking outside part. In fact, I cycled the system several times before messing with the outside part. I am stuck. Any advice will be appreciated and welcomed.

 

Do you have a pressurized tank or galvanized? If pressurized/bladder tank you need a spigot at well. Secure power to pump. Open well spigot and allow all water To drain out. Once drained you need a air compressor or bike tube air pump. If bladder tank it will have a service valve stem like tire valve. Use tire air gauge and check air psi on tank. If a bladder it should have 38 psi of air on tank. If not 38 use compressor/air pump to pump it up. You also need a psi gauge at well which by you seeing psi on plumbing you spoke of you have. Power still secured remove pressure switch cover. It's little black box with wires running to it. Cover off reset power to pump. You need a 11/32 nut driver it may be 3/8 nut driver. I say nut driver because they are insulated thru plastic handle. You can purchase complete set at walmart home depot cheap. Under no circumstance use wrench or socket as ac current exist it can and will KILL you. Nut driver in hand power on water hose connected at well spigot there maybe 1 or 2 adjustment nuts with coiled spring under them begin with 3/8 nut turning clockwise watching gauge and pump. Continue cranking slowly clockwise till pump comes on and begins the fill. Once pump energizes allow psi to rise. Watch gauge psi and when it begins to approach 60 psi start cranking 11/32 nut clock wise and stops pump at 60 psi. If it passes 60 psi open spigot allow pressure to decrease and water flow. Crank this nut until pump stops at 60 psi. What you want is a 20-30 cut in cut out. I set most at 40 come on and 60 shuts off. This way you don't have to run around in the shower to get wet. Hope I may have been helpful and not to ramblely for you. Be safe not sorry and if in doubt call a pro.

 

When you say the system gets to 40 psi and no more, is the pump still running?

If so, did you disassemble and clean the venturi when you had the well pulled? Often when messing with older wells you can dislodge rust or sediment that can get clogged in the venturi at the bottom of the well. The more clogged it becomes the worse the well performs.

 

The pressure tank is pressurized at 28 psi and pump is running while maintaining 40 psi water pressure. The system will not reach the 50 psi water pressure. The pump has 30/50 limit switch. The system worked great prior to me replacing plumbing parts to the well and pulling the foot valve and venturi. Come to think about it, the well water has a lot of iron present. I believe past water test shows 15 PPM of red iron. I will pull the well again and clean the venturi. Off the find a schematic of a Venturi.

thank you for your assistance your advice has been a great help, I let you all know the outcome and more assistance if need. Thanks again.

 

At 30 seconds into the video they show you what a venturi is and how it works. In the video the venturi is the cone shaped yellow piece. They show it as removable in their unit.

Valco jet well video

 

Hey Folks,
Finally got around to getting to pulling the well. Pilot Dane you were spot on. The venturi was clogged, it had about 3/4 inch of sediments. Cleaned and flushed the ejector, foot valve and piping. Re-assembled everything and installed, primed the lines, burped it the system a few times and cycled the pressure tank several times. I shut off the power to see if the system will hold pressure. I want to thank everyone for their advice. I really would not know what to do if it weren't for your expertise.


Thanks
Steven

 

Thanks for stopping back and updating us .... Good to hear you got it back to working condition.