Why can't I buy a 60/80 pressure tank.

[beenthere]

That was very helpful pressure information, from many aspects (especially the "disconnect the power" safety reminder). Thanks for taking the time.

[Pat]

There are pumps sold already set up with pressure switches etc expressly for "boosting" low water pressure. Even Harbor Freight sells them. Look at the on-line catalog.

www.harborfreight.com

[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[mysticokra]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We got relief in a way one wouldn't expect.

The whole house filter casing on our 3/4 inch line broke.
Since I then needed to replace the filter, I looked into a larger filter that used a 1 inch line from the pressure tank to the filter. The guys at Home Depot assured me that 3/4 inch should be adequate, but it only required $2.00 worth of new pipe to put 1 inch to the filter.

Coming out of the filter we step down to half inch, because I am not yet ready to re-plumb the whole house.

Nevertheless, this one seemingly minor change "doubled" the perceived pressure at the shower head. Even with the tub and toilet running at the same time, we have plenty of pressure.

Who'd a thunk it? [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Pat]

It is very unlikely indeed that the change from 3/4 to 1 inch for that short of a run was the answer. Much more likely is the new filter is not nearly so restrictive to the flow. The old filter was probably either plugged up with fine materials or possibly was just too fine and restrictive.

Most importantly, for whatever reason, you get a good shower now!

[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[twstanley]

I think you are already know this and are planning on it, but you really need 3/4" lines feeding the 1/2" lines that run to individual faucets, etc.

You should have a pressure stem on your tank, you might check that the pressure in the tank is set about 2 pounds less than the pump cut in pressure. So if your pump turns on at 30 psi, your tank needs to be at 28 psi.

If your tank is filling back up in 10 seconds or less, it sounds like there is not enough pressure in the tank, or the tank is way undersized.

[ginahoy]

I'm familiar with the Simer booster pump you mentioned (Harbor Freight item #9670). It has an input limit switch at 45psi, so the bladder tank must be set to 20/40. This will yield a house-side pressure of approx. 60/80. It requires a 1" hook-up line and a check-valve. They're about $400 installed.

Perhaps a less expensive option would be to add another bladder tank in series. This will increase the usable capacity allowing you to either increase pump run time or increase tank pressure (and/or reduce the differential).

BTW, as a followup to my previous post, one should never set differential to more than 20psi (e.g., to increase pump run time) unless the tank is designed for that. This will fatigue the bladder and void the tank warranty.

DB

[JP11]

Which would work better?

A super large pressure tank (or two in series)

or one of those harbor freight "booster pumps"

I really would like to have BIG water pressure in the new house. We currently have a point for a well, I have a large bladder tank.. but it's still minimal pressure.

Thanks
JP

[Pat]

Actually there is no good reason I can think of for putting 2 or more bladder tanks in series. Placing the tanks in series may cause the pump to repetitively short cyle. Placing them in parallel will work OK. I got quite a lecture on this topic from an engineer at a sumersible pump manufacturer when I was exploring alternatives for my well/water distribution system.

Placing tanks in series or parallel will not increase your pressure, just the volume you can draw before lowering the pressure to the pumps cut in pressure. A booster pump will increase your pressure IF it doesn't, over time, outrun your well's production rate. If you don't have a problem supplying the volume you are interested in but just need more pressure then the booster pupm is a good choice.

[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[turnkey4099]

One possible reason not to have 2 or more tanks is pump run time. It would have to run longer and may not be designed for lengthy running.

Harry K

[JP11]

Ok.. so it sounds like a resonable size tank would keep a good volume of water (assuming my drilled well comes in with a good amount of GPM)

But it seems like 4 hundred bucks would be well spent at harbor freight to boost up from 40 to 60psi.. to up around 60 to 80.

Not quite "hotel water pressure" (I travel a lot and a REAL good shower at a high quality hotel is one of the few things I wish I had at home) but as close as I will get.

JP