Wells, Sump Pumps and Septic Sewage Systems - Pump chatter and pressure tank location
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chrisjon
10-15-09, 11:05 AM
Hi,
I have recently installed a jet pump & pressure tank and it has been working absolutely fine however after moving the pressure tank up on a shelf 6 foot in the air (above the pump) I get pump chatter on cut in.
When the pressure tank is moved back down to the floor the problem dissapears.
The vacant pressure tank is set at 17psi with pump cut in at 20psi & cut out at 40.
I would have assumed that given the tank is pressurised there would be negligible change in static head and it would exert the same 20psi back to the pump wether located on the ground or at height?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I have recently installed a jet pump & pressure tank and it has been working absolutely fine however after moving the pressure tank up on a shelf 6 foot in the air (above the pump) I get pump chatter on cut in.
When the pressure tank is moved back down to the floor the problem dissapears.
The vacant pressure tank is set at 17psi with pump cut in at 20psi & cut out at 40.
I would have assumed that given the tank is pressurised there would be negligible change in static head and it would exert the same 20psi back to the pump wether located on the ground or at height?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Valveguy
10-15-09, 11:17 AM
The sensing line to the pressure switch needs to be closer to the tank.
Pilot Dane
10-15-09, 03:01 PM
Water adds .43 psi per foot so raising your pressure tank 6 feet effectivley makes the water pressure in the tank 2.6 psi higher than when it was on the ground. It's not a problem if you also moved your pressure switch up 6ft with the tank, but if you left the pressure switch down low you might try dropping the pressure in the tank by 2 or 3 psi.
I'm not sure the pressure tank elevation is causing the chattering. When you say "pump chatter" what is that? Do you hear the pressure switch rapidly clicking open and closed? Is the pump motor turning quickly on/off? Do you hear a water hammer in the pipes? Or do you hear a metallic clanking like a metal check valve slaming open/closed?
I'm not sure the pressure tank elevation is causing the chattering. When you say "pump chatter" what is that? Do you hear the pressure switch rapidly clicking open and closed? Is the pump motor turning quickly on/off? Do you hear a water hammer in the pipes? Or do you hear a metallic clanking like a metal check valve slaming open/closed?