Well Pump Pressure Switch

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I don't care if I have to pay $100. I want an American made pressure switch. I've been putting in the ones from Lowes and Home Depot. I got 1 year out of one and 10 months out of this last one. All of which are made in a foriegn country. Just torques me to the max knowing one can't get anything of great quality anymore. So what manufacture is made in the USA, and will it last for at least 15 years like the original that was on my well? Thanks...........SS

 

[j_martin]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

I don't care if I have to pay $100. I want an American made pressure switch. I've been putting in the ones from Lowes and Home Depot. I got 1 year out of one and 10 months out of this last one. All of which are made in a foriegn country. Just torques me to the max knowing one can't get anything of great quality anymore. So what manufacture is made in the USA, and will it last for at least 15 years like the original that was on my well? Thanks...........SS

You won't find one. What's the failure mode? If the contacts are burning, you need a relay, using the pressure switch for pilot duty to operate the relay.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

You won't find one. What's the failure mode? If the contacts are burning, you need a relay, using the pressure switch for pilot duty to operate the relay.

The contacts aren't the problem. It fails to kick on when the pressure drops below 40 psi. I run 60 psi, and 40 psi for it to kick on. That is what it was set at when I moved in 10 years ago. The one that was on it originally was put on 1991 when the new pump was installed. Both has failed the same way.

I do have a contactor that the pressure switch controls, so its not a problem with line voltage running through the contacts.

 

[rbh]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

When was the last time you drained the tank and gave it a fresh aircharge?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

When was the last time you drained the tank and gave it a fresh aircharge?

10 months ago when I installed the new switch. The pressure will drop so low, water will stop flowing. My pressure tank is a 80 gallon. Precharge is 40 which is the same as my cut in. When the switch hangs up, I just tap on it with my finger lightly and wah lah, it kicks on. I know it is hanging up, the same as the old one. The area is not damp and does not have condensate on the line going to the switch. Think I will spay some lube on the pivot points to see if that will help.

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

SS, I'm not sure where Square D switches are made, but I put one on my well in '97 when I bought the house and never had any troubles with it.

Is the area it's in dusty? Only reason I asked is you said a tap of the finger gets it to engage. A little dust may be the culprit.

The lube may do the trick for you.

Best of luck!!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

I work with commercial hvac pneumatic controls, I have about 100 control air compressors all of which have pressure switches that fail, 90% of the failed switches are the ones that are mounted verticle, vibration and gravity work at the mechanism as well as the contacts, whenever possible we re-mount the switch to orient it rightside up, (cap straight up rather than off the side). sguare D seem to be pretty good.

 

[mike243]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

most of my failures with the switch has been from sand/trash blocking the line,also the tank needs to be charged 2lbs less than the cut in psi ,that might be the reason a very lite tap kicks it on,mike243

 

[j_martin]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

+ on that. Perhaps lime in the water is blocking the small port on the switch. Like eliminator says, vertical mounting would help that. My water is so hard I almost have to grind it to get it out of the hole, and I don't have trouble. My switch is vert mounted and covered with condensation and various "cultures" about now. Works fine.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

SS, I'm not sure where Square D switches are made, but I put one on my well in '97 when I bought the house and never had any troubles with it.

Square D pressure switches are made in Mexico now.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

The line coming from the well is 3/4 copper. It is "T"d with a 3/4 line going vertical about a foot. There it is reduced down to 1/4. Then the 1/4 line is brass that is 10" long. On top of that is the pressure switch. Cap is on top. I too thought that the line feeding the switch was clogged or restricted, but it has always been clear without any scale buildup in it.

I don't have any problem with sand. When I've drained the tank, nothing is flushed out. Actually I do have pretty good water considering it is a deep well. I'm thinking about removing the 10" nipple and put the switch on top of the 3/4 copper. Only thing is that I will have to run longer wires to my contactor which shouldn't be a problem.

I'm just thinking that these off brand El Cheapo switches are just junk.

I have some Furnas brand pressure switches that I use on the pneumatic systems I maintain at work. Just not sure if they would hold up to water or even if they are rated for water?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

Square D pressure switches are made in Mexico now.

I think even with them made in Mexico would be better quality than China. Just too much stuff coming from China with toxic materials and poor quality IMHO

 

[mike243]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

You know it makes me wonder just what it would cost to make stuff as well as it use to be made.Could we afford it or would too many companys go out of buisness due to lack of sales? .Working in the refridgeration buisness for several years i found when the parts said made anywhere else but the usa i used a lot more of them.I have seen a box that a part came in say made in usa but the part have mexico stamped on it when i opened it ,reckon it meant the box

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

I know what you mean Mike. I bought some Honeywell contactors awhile back. They had a sticker on them "Made in China"........I peeled the sticker off and it said "Made in Japan". Figure that one out. Even my wholesaler was wondering how stupid of a move that is. I figure that certain foriegn country figures that we are stuipid and dumb not to figure stuff like that out. Well,,,I better quit before this becomes to controversal........SS

 

[rbh]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

I know on our jet pump it is 35 (psi) air charge .
45 psi on 65 psi off.
the switch has a rubber/plastic line from the water line to the diaphram under the switch.
I will wonder out to the well house and get you the name of the mfg of our switch later on.
Now off for the first float of the year, I hope.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

I know on our jet pump it is 35 (psi) air charge .
45 psi on 65 psi off.
the switch has a rubber/plastic line from the water line to the diaphram under the switch.
I will wonder out to the well house and get you the name of the mfg of our switch later on.
Now off for the first float of the year, I hope.

If you are using a bladder tank, you want your precharge to be 2 psi below pump cut in. This is regardless of the style of pump. If you have a non-bladder (captive air) tank, I would precharge to 5 psi below pump cut in.

In any case you are cheating yourself by running it 10 psi below pump cut in.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

Cool ! I called an old retired plumber friend of mine. He has a new in the box Allen Bradley pressure switch. It is about 20 years old and never been used. I think I may have found my ticket to success........

Plus I'll get that 2 psi differential adjusted accodingly. I was going by the tag on the tank to match the cut in and the pressure in the tank.....Thanks again for the help......SS

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

Cool ! I called an old retired plumber friend of mine. He has a new in the box Allen Bradley pressure switch. It is about 20 years old and never been used. I think I may have found my ticket to success........

Plus I'll get that 2 psi differential adjusted accodingly. I was going by the tag on the tank to match the cut in and the pressure in the tank.....Thanks again for the help......SS

Good on you SS. The info on your old tank might be...well, old. Any new bladder tank that you would get would specify the 2 psi differential. In fact, most bladder tanks I have seen come with 38 psi already in them. Although you can find others, most pressure switches that you buy (square D) come marked and set at 40/60 psi, as well.

 

[rbh]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

So I guess I will be setting the air charge for 43 PSI, THANKS

 

[dolluper]

Re: Well Pump Pressure Switch

Where the line goes into the pressure switch will sometimes clog ...a thin wire will clean it out .....or sometimes an air bubble in that line.....Diffently always have your air pressure in the tank below 2-5 lbs like stated by others and depending on how accurate your guage is