Can't figure this out...Please help! Brand new set up not producing more than 30PSI.

[michaeljones725]

Could use some help with my well water system:
I recently replaced my 1/2 horse well pump (same that was in prior), 30/50 regulator and pressure tank after my well pump went out. Just before it went bad, I notice it was staying on almost constantly and the pressure tank was completely full of water.

After replacing everything, I turned everything back on, the pump won’t go past 30-32psi. It just keeps running. I let it run for 10 minutes, and the PSI didnt budge from 30-32.

Just so I can have water in the meantime, I adjusted the regulator down just so the pump will shut off at 32 psi. I also adjusted the pressure tank down to 12-13psi (2 psi lower than the new cut in range). But now my bleach injector doesn't work because it isn't getting enough pressure to engage.

So that’s where I am right now. Super low bottom end psi, a bleach injector not working, and a pump that doesn’t make more than 32 psi.

What I've checked:

• Pump is getting full power (220).
• Pulled the pump and there doesn’t appear to be a break in the line from the pump to the casing.
• Dug up the ground from the casing to the house and there doesn’t appear to be a break there either.

My questions:

1. Is there another reason why my pump won’t go past 32 psi? We have never run out of water before. The pump has about 10-13 feet of water above it.
2. Can I install an inline water pressure booster pump inside the house to help bump the pressure up?
3. If so, where should I put that in the line? I really need my bleach injector to start working again, so install before the injector?
4. Does the pressure booster pump “suck” water, and will that somehow affect my well pump?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Valveman]

No you can't add a "pressure booster" pump. You have to make this one work. Start with the basics. What kind of pump is it? How deep is it set?

 

[michaeljones725]

This is the pump I bought. It goes down 72 feet. The water line looks to be around 60'.

Projex 1/2 HP 3 wire 600 gph Stainless Steel Submersible Well Pump from Ace HardwareView attachment 36500

 

[michaeljones725]

This is the pump I bought. It goes down 72 feet. The water line looks to be around 60'.

Projex 1/2 HP 3 wire 600 gph Stainless Steel Submersible Well Pump from Ace Hardware

 

[Valveman]

From a water level of 60', that pump can only make 38 PSI. Since you are seeing 32 PSI, my guess is your actual water level is 76' instead of 60'. That is just all that pump can make. But I will bet the motor will fit the old wet end, which will work with your pressure switch as it always has.

 

[michaeljones725]

Makes sense @Valveman . So in this case, bigger is better? Using this logic, if I go get a 1.5 hp submersible pump and swap it out, I should get more pressure at the house?

 

[Valveman]

Makes sense @Valveman . So in this case, bigger is better? Using this logic, if I go get a 1.5 hp submersible pump and swap it out, I should get more pressure at the house?

NO!! They will probably give you a 1,5HP, 50 GPM pump that won't build any more than 32 PSI either. Each HP motor can have one of many different wet ends, depending on if it is used in a 20' deep well or a 2,000' deep well. It is the wet end that makes a difference. You could use a 1/2HP motor, but it needs a 7 or 10 GPM wet end, not a 15-20 GPM wet end.

 

[michaeljones725]

@Valveman Can you explain what a "wet end" means. And, can you recommend a specific unit for me?

 

[Valveman]

Any 10 GPM, 1/2HP or 3/4HP pump will work. Just make sure it has a mx head of at least 250' not 150'.

But the wet end on your old pump is probably still good. After taking off the cable guard and screen, there are four nuts to remove and the wet end or pump will just pull off the motor end. Any 1/2 or 3/4HP motor you can find will probably fit your old pump or wet end and you will be back in business.

 

[michaeljones725]

Thanks @Valveman. Like a dummy, I pitched the entire unit that was bad. I didn't think to keep any of it. You've been a big help. I'll start looking around.

 

[Valveman]

A 10 GPM, 1/2HP or 3/4HP is very common. All the box stores have them. Try to pick one with a plastic end to screw the pipe into instead of a steel one painted black. The steel ones rust up quickly.

 

[michaeljones725]

@Valveman Would this one be a good option? Says it has 300ft of head.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/pumps-and-pump-parts/pumps/4005014

 

[Valveman]

@Valveman Would this one be a good option? Says it has 300ft of head.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/pumps-and-pump-parts/pumps/4005014

A 1HP that has 300' max head should do more like 900 gph not 600. But yeah that will work. Your going from not having enough pump to having way more than you need. But that is something I can help with. The new 15 GPM pump will want to cycle on and off a lot because it is much larger than needed. A larger pressure tank would normally be required. But adding a Cycle Stop Valve will make your much too large pump act like a small pump when small amounts of water are being used. You also will not need a larger pressure tank if adding a CSV, as a tank as small as 4.5 gallon would be fine.