CSV / Tank sizing recommendation

[billw]

I am in the process of updating our well and went searching for a better solution than large pressure tanks, which have been a source of grief for us over the past ten years.  That landed me here and I'm really happy to have found you.  The CSV looks like a much better solution.

We have a 1HP, 20GPM pump, newly replaced.  30/50 pressure switch.  220 gallon pressure tank with a busted bladder that I need to replace soon.

3 homes on the well, but two are vacation homes that aren't used much.  I also run an irrigation system about 4 hours per day in the summer.

What CSV / tank combination would you recommend for this scenario?

More info that may or may not be useful: The well is 50 feet deep, the pump sits at 40 feet, and the water level is about 20 feet.  Eight inch casing.  There is a fair amount of fine sediment.  This was once a community well that served 12 houses, but only serves one full time residence now.  We don't know what the well recovery rate is because the pump can't withdraw enough water to change the level even running flat out for an hour.

[Cary Austin]

I know it sounds unbelievable, but you can replace that 220 gallon equivalent tank with a 4.5 gallon size tank. 

A 220 equivalent tank only holds about 30 gallons of water.  That is still a pretty small tank for a 20 GPM pump and/or an irrigation system that might use 2,000 to 4,000 gallons per day.

Your well is strong and that is where your water comes from.  The tank is only there to slow down the cycling on/off of the pump.  With a Cycle Stop Valve the cycling is eliminated because the water goes right past the tank at the exact rate it is being used.  So you don’t need a very large tank.

You can purchase the entire PK1A Pside-Kick kit with the CSV1A valve, 4.5 gallon tank, 40/60 switch, 75# pressure relief, pressure gauge, and other fittings for much less than the cost of a big replacement tank.  Believe it or not your pump will last longer from cycling less, and the pressure will be better, especially when running the irrigation system.

You can purchase one here.  http://cpkits.com/products/pk1a