Recommended Pressure Tank Pressure Setting

[Luremaker]

Last week I replaced my well pressure tank with a 45 gallon tank. My old 10 gal tank developed a leak. Question is what is the recommended air pressure in the bladder?

My jet pump turns on at 35psi and turn off at 60psi. Right now the tank only takes a few gallons of water before the pump shuts off. Now, the pump is always turning on/off in short cycles.

 

[Car Doc]

How much pressure is in the tank? It sounds like too much air now to me the tank pressure should be a pound or two less than the pump switch on setting so 33-34 psi is what I would say as the air pressure should be but I am no expert that works ok for me with my system. hth

And that is with no water in the tank btw.

 

[dmccarty]

What does the pressure tank manual say about the pressure? I was able to find my manual online which surprised me.

Later,
Dan

 

[Luremaker]

How much pressure is in the tank? It sounds like too much air now to me the tank pressure should be a pound or two less than the pump switch on setting so 33-34 psi is what I would say as the air pressure should be but I am no expert that works ok for me with my system. hth

And that is with no water in the tank btw.

I'll set the pressure to 35psi. No manual came with the tank. Bulk tank from TSC with no papers/manuals. When I get home I'll empty the tank check the pressure again.

 

[dex3361]

I'll set the pressure to 35psi. No manual came with the tank. Bulk tank from TSC with no papers/manuals. When I get home I'll empty the tank check the pressure again.

Let all of the water out of the tank. No water or pressure on the outlet side. Then air it up to 30# that way you will still have water and a small air cushion before the tank goes empty and the pump kicks on. So set the air to 5# below the kick on pressure and it will work well.

 

[Car Doc]

I'll set the pressure to 35psi..

It needs to be a little less than on setting in the switch thats what we are saying or it may never turn on or may be slow to turn on etc thats the reasoning to have it less than cut in pressure like dex said 30 would work great. hth

edit: actually if its turning off at 60 now you may have a 40-60 switch and then 35 would be correct so I would check the tank pressure and go from there most pressure switches are a 20psi differential from on to off that I have dealt with anyway, so its dependent on the actual switch setting as to what the tank pressure is set at.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Let all of the water out of the tank. No water or pressure on the outlet side. Then air it up to 30# that way you will still have water and a small air cushion before the tank goes empty and the pump kicks on. So set the air to 5# below the kick on pressure and it will work well.

Bingo. I set my tank to 2 psi below cut-in, but the principle is the same. A pressure tank should be full of air when the pump kicks on.