CSV back pressure question

[poe2797]

I bought a CSV1A and haven't installed it yet, but do have a few questions w.r.t. backpressure.  I moved into my house 2 years ago, and know very little about my pump or well setup other than some basic specs I got from the town health dept.  From what I do know, the pump is >12 years old and has 2 wires, 240v and on a 20amp double pole breaker.  Well is 245 ft deep, static level at 45 ft, and has 15 gpm.  I have no idea where in that 45-245ft the pump is set, nor the size or GPM of the pump.  Pressure tank set to 50-73-ish psi.

I was planning on keeping my 44gal tank, and just adding the CSV but I've heard the back pressure on the line to the pump could be between 150-300psi.  Coming from the well, it looks like I have some thick black poly pipe (not sure the size), and it has 2 plastic barb fittings before it goes to a check valve and into the tank.  Are these fittings appropriate for those kind of pressures, and if not what should I replace them with?

[poe2797]

Any advice?

[Cary Austin]

With a 20 amp breaker it can't be any larger than 1/2 or 3/4HP.  That would only build 100-150 PSI back pressure.  That should be 160# pipe, which is good to at least twice that much.  I prefer metal barb fittings with two hose clamps on each side, but it is not too much pressure for the nylon ones as long as everything is good and tight.  And while you are at it, remove that extra check valve that will sooner or later start causing water hammer on pump start.

[poe2797]

Thanks Cary, is there an easy way to check the HP of the pump - maybe measureing amps or something?

I'm going to look for stainless fittings and t bolt clamps to replace the ones I have.  Have to keep check valve there (CT) per code supposedly

[Cary Austin]

On 240V a 1/2HP uses 5 amps, a 3/4HP uses 7 amps, and a 1Hp is 9 amps.