tomtwotone

[tomtwotone]

Great Website-We moved into our home about 3 years ago. It is a 10 year old converted cottage. We have been very satisfied with our purchase. We have a water system, that, while not unique. seems to be something other than standard. I call it "constant replenish system" The pump cycles at about 2 second intervals. The tank is small about 10 gals, pressure guage, which cycles at 40/58. It has a bicycle valve stem. First two and a half years everything ok. Now it it shutting down on random occasions. Two or three times during dish washing, twice during showers and twice overnight. The latter, it was difficult to restart. Any idea of what my problem may be?

[Ed Imeduc]

The pump cycles at about 2 second intervals.

Right off here I say check the air tank sounds like its water logged. Can be the bladder is shot See if you get water out of the schrader valve there on the air tank.

Shuts down ???? just turns off motor hot????? :confused:

Post back in same post

ED ;)

[tomtwotone]

Ed-thanks for your reply-guess I didn't express the [problem properly. sorry about that. The repressuring switch trips, called a "DUMPTROL" It is necessary to reset. The pressure has dropped to "0" at that point.

[nomind]

Hi Tom,
- you must mean Pumptrol (not Dumptrol) surely. If you have this, it was originally installed because your water level is very close to the intake level. This is to prevent your pump running dry. There are also LLC pressure switches, this is a P/S with a small lever on the side, -same purpose.
If you intend to live on this water then you need to learn how to repair and maintain your equipment quickly. There is NO "constant replenish system"- it is a regular system running on the verge of collapse ! -If your pump has operated like this for 3 years, it is screaming "help me" !
- If possible, post some pictures of your system so we can help better. There is definitely more than just a waterlogged tank at fault here, and we need to understand this setup to give you proper advice. :cool:

Do it Right - Do it once.

[tomtwotone]

Nomind--thanks for your reply. Yes it's pumptrol not dump as I suggested. Guess that makes sense. Wish I could post a picture as you suggested but do not have that capability. will try to describe as best as i can. The well head is about 70 feet to the tank. The well is 50 feet deep. I have checked the bicycle type valve in the in/out tank line' and released water only. Guess this is a bad sign! This morning, the system quit during a toilet flush. It has restarted with turn of the "Reset switch" but by the sound of your message I need professional help here. Thank you for your advice here. Tom

[nomind]

Hi Tom,
- you can get it running for now by pumping air into the tank. Here's my generic tank pressurising instructions.;
To fix this, shutoff the pump, drain the water out of the tank till it's ALMOST empty. Now if you have an older galv. tank, the air nipple can be almost anywhere, on the side of tank, on inlet pipe or output pipe. In a newer bladder tank it will be at the top of tank. Find this and pump in air with a compressor. ( yes, you can use a bicycle pump, but it takes forever). Put in 28 psi of air. Now start the pump again and see what happens.

Try it and see if it works - you may save some money. Also post back and describe this 'reset switch' ? :cool:

Do it Right - Do it once.

[tomtwotone]

Nomind--Thanks again for your reply. The reset is the lever on the side of the pumptrol, that resets the pressure in the tank. The tank is 10 gal. I guess, and painted white. The bicycle type valve is located on a pipe coming in and out of the tank. Not really sure I know how to drain the tank but will take it from here. thanks again for your input. Tom

[nomind]

Hi Tom.
- the lever you are describing is a LLC or -Low Level Cutout. It DOES NOT reset pressure in the tank. It activates the pressure switch manually.
The fact of this lever being operated automatically by the pressure switch, means it senses loss of pressure . Generally when the pump is sucking air !
- It is essential for you to check the static water level relative to the pump intake. :cool:

Do it Right - Do it once.

[tomtwotone]

Nomind--Thanks again for your help. A friend of a friend is coming over Sat. and will help in checking water level. I have reviewed your previous comments with him and we will be re pressuring tank as you have suggested. I think we are on the right track, thanks to you. If I have anything further I will report. Keep up the good work.