We recently replaced our pump, its a shallow well pump about 330ft and we redid the piping from the holding tank to the outside pump to the pressure tank. Our problem is we have something that sounds like switch chatter, where there is a rapid on off cycling of the pressure switch and the motor. WE have completely drained both the pressure tank of water and air, and the cut in psi is between 38-40 psi and cut out is 58psi. I can't figure out the problem and how to stop it. Also how do I know the pressure tank is good, that the diaphram isn't ruptured? Any help is thanked and needed. Currently the chatter affects our power to our house and daily living as it makes us nervoius to run the water.

Thank you again for any help or insight.
Luke

 

Welcome to the forum.
Not 330 feet deep ?!?!

In the picture I hijacked below.... I circled the pressure switch and there is a red arrow pointing to what should be the water line to the pressure switch. It sounds like your pressure switch is not reading the correct water pressure. That line could be partially plugged or where it connects to the pump could be partially plugged.

 

Welcome to the forums....

You need to add air to the tank. Put in about 30 psi... Then give the pump a try..

If water comes out that schrader valve then the bladder is shot...

Let us know...

 

Here is what we did, we replaced the pressure switch and relocated it to get a more true reading as to when to start and stop for cut in and cut out. YES 33ft deep, sorry about that, I forgot to add that. So far so good, still seems as though there is either air in the system or the pressure is fluctuating. I'll keep you updated, thanks for the help so far!!

Luke

 

since we have been having trouble with the system, we have drained the pressure tank completely and aired back several times to where the booster pump kicks on about 38 psi and cuts out at 58-60psi.

"If water comes out that schrader valve" nevermind, no water comes out of that valve. I just been reading on if your booster tank is bad, you should hear a thud both on the top and bottom meaning the water seal or diaphram has broke internally and water is passing through to where the air pressure should be.

 

330ft deep, its shallow compared to the vineyards around us drilling at 1,500-2,000 ft!!

 

33' for a jet pump is nothing. 330' is impossible for a single line jet pump.

Those vineyards would be using some large submersible pumps.

 

Let's go back to your chatter issue. Is this chatter just at the cut in and then it eventually goes away and fills the tank. If that is the symptom then you most likely have too much air in the tank. Let out a couple psi and see if the chatter goes away.

If the chatter is something else, please give us a better description.

 

Yep! I was doing a load of wash and heard this terrible switch chatter. Turned out it was only on cut-in and adjusting the tank air did the trick!( Whew – what a relief. lol)

Hopefully it is that simple for Luke.