Well Driller needs help with 100 GPM pump

[Tom101]

Dear Porky Cutter.  Someone at your office said you could help me.  I have a 100 GPM submersible in a well with 3 big pressure tanks.  This well feeds my house and a restroom at the shop.  The reason I have a 100 GPM pump is that this well is also used to fill my water truck.  When I am filling the water truck at 100 GPM there is no problem.  However, when my wife is watering the yard or using water in the house the pump cycles on and off a lot.  I have to replace the pressure switch often and at least one of the bladder tanks goes bad every year or so.  Would a Cycle Stop Valve help my situation?  If so, what size valve do I need and how would you set it up?

[Porky Cutter]

Installing a Cycle Stop Valve should solve your problem. Contact your nearest well/pump supplier or contact our headquarters in Lubbock and they can help you choose the proper valve for your needs.
Porky

[Tom101]

Thanks Porky.  I talked to the factory and after they got my pump model number and well information they said I needed a CSV3B2T valve.  My next question is, if I have a 40/60 pressure switch and I continue to use the three big tanks, what pressure should I set the CSV?

[Porky Cutter]

The pressure tank should be installed downstream of the CSV3B on a tee at a 90 degree angle to the main discharge line . Pressure tank pre-charge should be 5-10 psi lower than the pressure switch start point. A water line at least 8" or longer and no larger than tank inlet size should be used to connect the tank. Pressure switch must be installed on the line going into the tank, as close to base of the tank as possible. (closer to the tank than the main line). Pressure switch should never be installed directly on the main line.

For start up, loosen the lock nut on adjusting stem of pilot valve (small valve attached to CSV3B). Make sure adjusting stem is loosened completely by turning counter clockwise until you feel it is no longer making contact with the spring. Set the pressure switch to desired settings. Cut off pressure must be at least 10 PSI higher than the desired valve set pressure (ie..40/60 pressure switch, valve set at 50).

[Tom101]

"Cut off pressure must be at least 10 PSI higher than the desired valve set pressure (ie..40/60 pressure switch, valve set at 50)."

Thanks Porky.  With the three WX 350 tanks I have, it is taking 12 minutes for the pump to reach 60 PSI and shut off.  Do I have to remove some of the tanks?

[Porky Cutter]

With (3) WX-350 tanks it will tale longer for the pump to cut off but 12 minutes with a 100 gpm pump is to long. I think you have some other problem with your system. With a Cycle Stop Valve I would say (1) WX-350 is more than enough for the home and system.

I suggest you call Jeff or any of the people at Cycle Stop Valves. They have much more experience with this question.

[Cary Austin]

Excellent answer Porky!  Maybe he could just take off those 2 extra tanks and sell them on another job or keep them for spares.  If he doesn’t want to remove the tanks, the extra storage is not hurting anything and would save a few cycles for the home use.  To be able to leave all three tanks in line and not take so long for the pump to shut off, you can turn the CSV setting up closer to the off setting of the pressure switch. If he is getting 12 minutes run time with the CSV set at 50 and the pressure switch at 40/60 , then he will get 6 minutes run time if you set the CSV to 55 PSI, and a little over 3 minutes if the CSV is set at 57 PSI.  I wouldn’t go any closer to 60 than that because you have to leave a little time for the CSV to catch.  Set at 58 or 59 the pressure switch would probably bounce the pump off before the CSV has time to work.