pressure tank pressure - what is appropriate?

[RussMan]

I should have performed a search on here before "axing" my question - I just built a house, and am on well water. I have plenty of water, and the pressure is adequate. But I'm a guy that likes lots of pressure. My pressure tank is at 40. Is that about normal? Is there a way to "take it up a notch"? What would be too much pressure?

 

[MrJimi]

Your switch and pump and tank and lines are what determines that, sounds like you want to "soup up" your pressure some.

 

[Richard]

But as you add pressure, don't you risk issues with seals on faucets?

(I've got no idea what kind of pressure they can live with before it's considered excess)

 

[Soundguy]

Your tank and pvc and valves will ultimately determine your upper 'limit' of pressure.. however.., the actual setting will be set at the pressure switch. You usually see these with a standard 'set' cut in/cut out pressure of something along the lines of 30/50 as a preset, and then you could tweak there if needed. Many tanks won't like over 75 psi.

I have tweaked mine at my house to be 40/60 with no ill effects.. but then i have more water needs for a few long runs for animals at the end of a pasture.

30/50 is a safe bet...

soundguy

 

[MrJimi]

But as you add pressure, don't you risk issues with seals on faucets?

(I've got no idea what kind of pressure they can live with before it's considered excess)

When I added CPVC, the building inspector had me pressurize it to 100 pounds with air and an accurate Gage for a few hours and it stayed there overnite.

 

[RussMan]

I have tweaked mine at my house to be 40/60 with no ill effects.. but then i have more water needs for a few long runs for animals at the end of a pasture.

30/50 is a safe bet...

soundguy[/QUOTE]

 

[RussMan]

I have tweaked mine at my house to be 40/60 with no ill effects.. but then i have more water needs for a few long runs for animals at the end of a pasture.

30/50 is a safe bet...



Is it difficult to adjust tweak the pressure on the pump?

 

[turnkey4099]

Standard residence pressure settings are (cutin/cutout):
20/40 - I have heard of it used but never seen one. Don't think I would be happy with it.

30/50 but some impulse sprinklers don't work too well at the 30 and a 'needle' shower won't be too 'needly' at 30. Mine is 30/50 but I occasionally think of boosting it to 40/60

40/60 - very good, useable setting. Sprinklers work well, showers are great, etc.

Pressures over 60 are not recommended for residence except for special circumstances. Over 60 is hard on fixtures.

Changing pressure settings is a simple operation. Just a matter of adjusting the 'tall' screw on the pressure switch (assuming you have one with two screws, one low, one high). The high one changes both cut in and cut out maintaining the 20 psi difference. The low one changes teh 20 psi differential.

If you change it, you have to adjust the 'precharge' in the pressure tank. That is the air bubble that makes the system work. It needs to be set at about 2psi below the cut-in pressure and is set by completely draining the tank then adding/releasing pressure as needed. I am assuming you have a bladder tank.

There is now a 'constant pressure' pump controller. Pump comes on when a tap is opened and maintains the set pressure. I have never seen on or worked on one so I don't know the details.

Harry K

 

[Soundguy]

I told you it is done at the pressure valve!

That lil think with the plastic cover on it that has the electric run to it. When you pull the cap, there will be a spring tensioned rocker that makes / brakes connection of the points. Older ones you have to set 2 adjustments.. both cut in, and cut out.. newer ones are ratio locked at 20psi difference.. so there is one adjustment.. usually just a nut you spin down a threaded spring loaded shaft near the rocker. ( for safety, if you don't know what you are doing.. kill the breaker to the pump before opening the cover.. ).. Generally the adjustment instructions to adjust it are under the cover. I can't remember off hand.. but if you want to up the pressure, I believe on most setups you will be screwing it down to increase the spring tension the 'cut out' has to overcome before kicking the contacts open... but check yours.. etc. Adjust only little bit at a time, then powe rthe pump and see what she pumps up to... till you hit your desired upper limit ( and safe upper limit ) .

soundguy

 

[WVBill]

There is now a 'constant pressure' pump controller. Pump comes on when a tap is opened and maintains the set pressure. I have never seen on or worked on one so I don't know the details.

I had one on my well tank - It was a Smart Tank Pressure System system.

It is basically a constant pressure valve that holds the pressure at - say - 50 PSI as long as there is flow above a trickle. This keeps the tank pressure valve from getting to the 60 PSI cut off so the pump doesnt cycle as long as there's flow.

Trouble is, there is a screen on the valve that on my system kept getting clogged with tiny bits of shale from the well and I had co clean it out every couple of months. Eventually the O ring wore out and it's not a standard size and they don't sell replacements. So I junked it and went back to the old system.

WVBill