Adjusting Pumptrol pressure switch Range
I can't do that Dave
I hope not too far off topic.
My well pump is not able to make 50psi anymore and I don't have the
cash to replace it. It is making about 40psi reliably so I adjusted
the pressure switch Range to cut out at 38psi. BUT, because that is a
"range" it now waits until 18-psi before coming on. The spec sheet
states the stock Range is 30 to 50.
I want to shorten the Range so it cuts in around 25 and out at 35. I
have a 200 gallon pressure accumulator so hunting on/off will not be a
major problem.
My guess is to cut some off the length of the Range spring or try for
a lighter spring.
Anyone ever played with this stuff? Suggestions?
I have emailed Square-D but still waiting on a reply.
Thanks in advance.
Dave
Ecnerwal
<6acada21-bd27-45b7...@q28g2000prb.googlegroups.com>,
"I can't do that Dave" <dave...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My guess is to cut some off the length of the Range spring or try for
> a lighter spring.
>
> Anyone ever played with this stuff? Suggestions?
This is why you save the directions. There's two different adjustments
on a typical Square-D pumptol - one is the cutout, the other is the
differential. If there's not a differential adjustment, the differential
is not adjustable. Simply adjust the correct screw to adjust the
differential. Chopping off the cutout screw spring won't help a bit.
If there are two springs, the smaller one off to the side is the
differential - Schneider (Square-D) has either hidden carefully or
failed to make available on the web the instruction card that should be
tucked into your pump-related documents from when your switch was new.
Mine is at the pump, so I can't recall which way you turn it to adjust
it down - experiment and see what happens - just be sure to remember to
turn the pump power off before adjusting it, since the input leads are
hot whether or not the pump is running.
--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by
I can't do that Dave
I have the directions from when the pump was originally installed. The
Range can only be adjusted (extended) upwards. Using the main
adjuster, the 20-lb differential Range moves up or down such that it
cuts-in at 25-lbs it will cut-off at 45-lbs. The small screw increases
the cut-OFF pressure to increase the range differential up to 30-lbs
such that the cut-in would be 25-lbs and the cut-off at 55-lbs -- or
30-lbs and 60-lbs.
I need to move the cut in pressure up for a differential Range of 10-
lbs and there is no adjustment for the cut in other than moving the
entire Range where the differential remains at 20-lbs.
Dave
Bob F
Which way do you turn it to "increase the range differential"? Turn it the other
way, with both screws starting where they were origionally.
harry k
If the small screw will only _increase_ the range and can't decrease
it below a 20psi range you just can't do what you want.
A new and different control switch is only in the 20-$30 range and you
may find one that you can do what you want. Be warned though that the
major wear factor on a pump is the start cycle - what you want to do
will increase by about a third the number of starts per day.
Harry K
I can't do that Dave
Thanks for the reply. On closer inspection of the design of the
Pumptrol, I realized that it was impossible to achieve what I needed.
Yesterday I bought a FURNAS (I use caps as lower case makes it look
like FUMAS (Furnas)) control which is much better designed. It has
one screw for adjusting both cut-in and cut-out up or down. It has a
second screw that adjusts the cut-out pressure **without affecting the
cut-in**. It can range from 10 to 40 psi cut-in with a minimum
differential of 7-psi and a max cut-out of 80-psi. Perfect.
Starting at zero pressure, I ran the pump until it showed 20-psi and
adjusted the cut-in to just click in. I then waited until it got to 35-
psi and adjusted the cut-out screw to click open. Bingo, we have a
winner. I will replace the Pumptrol on my other well with a Furnas, a
much a better design.
I am not too concerned about the start/stops as the 200 gallon
accumulator buffers the water nicely. The pump will now run about
twice every three days. It runs for about 18 minutes to replenish the
accumulator. So for the $5 Furnas (used) control, I have extended the
life of the pump. I just had a shower and 25-psi is quite adequate.
Dave