I'm on a well getting 20 gpm, irrigating with controlled sprinklers currently using 3 zones. New controller. New solenoids. One zone works just as it should: pump comes on when the pressure drops to 40 and shuts off at 65 at full pressure. The other 2 are messed up. They start out fine on a charged tank (65 psi) run a cupla minutes at 65 when the pump switches on - yes at 65. At the moment the pump switches on, the sprinklers all quit. While the pump is running, the pressure now drops to 40 which is the moment the sprinklers come back on. They run until the pressure reaches 65 and the cycle repeats. Cycle is about 6-7 minutes. It it completely opposite of what it's supposed to do! What the heck!? Tank is 81 gal. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
What the Heck??
- Thread starter Armbee
- Start date
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First, a pump should never be allowed to cycle on and off while the sprinklers are on. Second, it sounds like your gauge is sticking, which will cause a bad diagnosis. Get a new gauge. If the water quits completely for a minute or so, the overload in the motor is probably tripping. That is what starts happening before the motor goes bad from all the cycling on and off.
Your zones probably don't have the exact same number on heads, or the same size nozzles. And, you possibly have a bad zone valve. My zone valves can be turned on manually, so maybe you could do that to troubleshoot. Like Valveman said, each zone should use enough water so the pump runs steady.
I might be way off here but……
Could the air tank be water logged and short cycling on zones that don’t use enough water ? But the one zone that works closely matches the pump output so it works ?
Just a dumb guess, I might not even understand that’s being said.
Could the air tank be water logged and short cycling on zones that don’t use enough water ? But the one zone that works closely matches the pump output so it works ?
Just a dumb guess, I might not even understand that’s being said.
That would be the first thing I would check. But if the gauge isn't sticking, I don't think the pump is actually coming on until it gets down to 40. The sprinklers should be working if there is any pressure on that gauge. NO sprinklers, means NO pressure. The gauge cannot be good.
Hope you can find a knowledgeable pump guy. Most won't know as much as you do about it. They will just start changing equipment and charging you until something finally works.
Yes, and that’s a problem.
