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Anyone familiar with well cycle stop valves?

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APG12

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Dec 28, 2014
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I installed the CSV PK1A system about a month ago, and other than the supplied pressure not working (I used another one I had on hand), it’s been working great.

Two days ago I developed a leak in my well supply line under the slab in my garage. After a lot of cursing and big mess, I broke open the slab and patched the poly line. All was good after that and the system pressurized, though the pressure seemed a bit lower than normal. I figured I would mess with the settings today.

This morning I found my pump running constantly and the system not pressurizing to reach the cut off. As soon as I turn the power on to the pump, it reaches about 30 PSI and continues to run, whether or not there is a faucet turned on. The pump does not shut off as it is not pressurizing and not reaching the 60 psi cut off.

Any ideas? I am far from a professional plumber so I’m not really sure where to start. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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Spook001

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Howell, Michigan
Developing a leak under the slab is not good. You said you patched it. Their is a reason it leaked, and btw, that poly is pretty tough stuff. I’ve had outside hydrants freeze up, the poly didn’t break, but the cast iron elbow at the bottom of the hydrant cracked open. I’d want to replace the poly line. To see if the well is leaking internally, use a rod like a stephoscope to listen for a leak. But I’d bet on another leak.
 
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Gladiator

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30 years ago I was installing water to my shed. It was 200' from my house. Bought that plastic stuff. The excavator said "I can install that, and I will be back to dig it up in a few years." He recommended copper tubing, expensive but I did it and no problems.
 
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rmanrman

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When was the original poly pipe installed? Why because when you install a CSV valve you need 160 psi poly pipe min. I have this system in my house and it works great. I’m pushing water 325 feet from well motor to house. It’s hung on 160 psi poly pipe. Sounds like you got another leak in the poly from motor to house. Good luck
 
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APG12

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I would imagine the poly is original to the house, which was built in 1977. The water isn’t running at any higher pressure than it was before the CSV was installed.
 
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scottydosnntkno

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It is running at max pressure (140-160) onto the pump side.

A CSV is essentially a regulator that only lets what it’s set to (50-60) psi through. Unless you have a newer constant pressure/variable flow pump which you wouldn’t need a CSV for, once the pump kicks on it’s running full speed even though the CSV is only letting through 1-2-3 gpm whatever the demand is. So on the pump side it’s pushing it’s max pressure but it’s a reduced flow into the house and normal pressure.

Like an air compressor, the tank/pump side is 175psi and your regulator let’s out 90. The difference is a CSV is installed between the pump and tank unlike a compressor so when the pumps on it’s pushing all it’s pressure into the line feeding the valve. A compressor has a tank to store this extra then the pump shuts off , your well does not now so all the pump pressure dead heads against the valve. It did with the bladder tank it would run up to the shutoff never reaching over what the cutoff is for the tank.

A CSV is a poor mans version of a constant pressure pump. $300 vs $2000. If you don’t want to keep busting up concrete and replacing parts, pony up for a grundfos SQE pump and never worry about it again. Your time in repairs has value
 
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SuperD

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Okanagan BC
I have two properties with wells, my newest home is the variable speed demand pump. After 8 years I just replaced the defective controller at $1800 Canadian.

I am also looking into using the cycle stop valve, on my other property as I use a large pressure tank with a conventional pressure switch. Are there any good success stories out there with the CSV?
 
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outdoorspace

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SuperD said:
I have two properties with wells, my newest home is the variable speed demand pump. After 8 years I just replaced the defective controller at $1800 Canadian.

I am also looking into using the cycle stop valve, on my other property as I use a large pressure tank with a conventional pressure switch. Are there any good success stories out there with the CSV?
Click to expand...

My Grundfos controller failed a couple years after I installed it. Turns out the relay failed, they used a super cheap one. I upgraded with a $6 relay and it's been fine since.

I do love that city water like pressure!
 
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APG12

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So when I pulled the cap off the well head this morning, I could hear a very faint bubbling. I had a plumber come take a look and by the afternoon it was gurgling like a sumbitch.

He is going to pull the pump tomorrow and see where it’s leaking. Nothing visible at the pitless. I got quoted for a standard pressure tank/switch replacement or a much more expensive Aquavar Solo2 constant pressure controller. I like the idea of the Aquavar, but I’m reading a bit about some reliability concerns. It’s a lot of money to dump.
 
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Spook001

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Howell, Michigan
APG12 said:
So when I pulled the cap off the well head this morning, I could hear a very faint bubbling. I had a plumber come take a look and by the afternoon it was gurgling like a sumbitch.

He is going to pull the pump tomorrow and see where it’s leaking. Nothing visible at the pitless. I got quoted for a standard pressure tank/switch replacement or a much more expensive Aquavar Solo2 constant pressure controller. I like the idea of the Aquavar, but I’m reading a bit about some reliability concerns. It’s a lot of money to dump.
Click to expand...

Mine leaked right at the pitiless adapter. I noticed mine because the pump was switching off and on. As long as I had the well open, I replaced the pump, even though the pump was ok, but it was about 20 years old. I put a grundfuss 3 inch pump in, rated the same output as the 4 inch. I hope to never open it up again.
 
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APG12

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Spook001 said:
Mine leaked right at the pitiless adapter. I noticed mine because the pump was switching off and on. As long as I had the well open, I replaced the pump, even though the pump was ok, but it was about 20 years old. I put a grundfuss 3 inch pump in, rated the same output as the 4 inch. I hope to never open it up again.
Click to expand...

My pump was replaced in 2017 so I definitely have something going on here.
 
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