Well tank air PSI?

[RMR&C]

My well tank has a valve where you can check/add air to the bladder. It has a tag that says "air pressure should be 2 PSI below pump start up pressure".
So is this measured AT pump startup, or after it shuts off?

 

[nh_yota]

The cut-in pressure for the switch.

 

[RMR&C]

The cut-in pressure for the switch.

So does the tank have to be empty to set the air pressure? Obviously the air pressure changes as the water pressure increases/decreases.

 

[nh_yota]

Yes, I believe so but others will chime in. The pressure inside the tank bladder determines the volume of air and water the tank will hold at the cut-out pressure of the pump switch.

 

[nh_yota]

The reason you need the tank empty is because you need the bladder to be at resting equilibrium when setting the charge pressure.

 

[58Yeoman]

 

[RMR&C]

Thank you!

 

[3robert 1]

Tank empty check your pressure switch common switches are 30/50 or 40/60. Those are cut in cutoff pressures. There might be others but im not aware of them

 

[larry4406]

Check your existing cut in/out pressures first. Then if you like the pressure of your water, then bleed down your system to check tank air pressure to -2psi relative to cut-in pressure.

I’ve upped my pressure settings as have many others so best to see first where it’s actually set then adjust tank pressure accordingly.

If you are on septic and you increase system pressure, check your toilet tanks after to make sure they aren’t overflowing and continuous flushing. When I changed my 30/50 to 40/65 all my toilets started overfilling ever so slightly and septic alarm started coming on.

 

[RMR&C]

Got it all done, works fine. Just in time too, supposed to hit single digit temps by Wed.


Thanks to all that replied!

 

[Copymutt]

That’s a biggie
One additional add on that saved my **** was the addition of a monitor gauge.
It can be anywhere in the feed. I put mine in the garage on the stub out for the john. Just tee’d in. This allows you to see what’s cycling and how often. I had a leak under slab last winter. Would never have known it w/o the gauge.
Also a high pressure blow off valve from your supply tied back into the well casing will prevent damage inside the home/ garage should the upper limit shut off contacts fail. Again with the gauge you’ll be able to see the pump constantly cycling in this event. Self insurance is the cheapest you can buy.
Jim