Well Expansion Tank Suggestions

What kind of well is it?( Dug or drilled.) What is the recovery rate of the well?( How fast does the water come in to the well to replace whats being taken out.) What kind of pump is being used? These are the questions that need answered to properly size a well tank.There is more info needed but lets narrow things down with these.

I have no facilities on my 2nd floor

The well is Drilled about 125 feet from what was written on a paper i found... does that mean its fact. probably not but its all I have to go on.

I cannot answer any of your other questions unfortunetly.

the water comes in enough usually that if I run it "dry" by the next morning we can do all the normal things (wash clothes and shower) without issue.

It normally doesn't run "dry" per say, it has only happened 3 times, 1 time filling my Boiler and refilling my Boiler in the same day, and the other 2 were both times that the outside water valve was left on for extended period by accident.

Is the pump in the well, or do you have a jet pump? If it's a jet is it a single pipe to two pipe system? If you can run it dry , you without a doubt need a safety switch. Now lets nail down the tank size.

Hi Plumb R

Thanks for your help so far!

The pump is in the well, There are 3 wires from the well. although only 2 go to the pressure switch. The third wire is not hooked up to anything. There is only one pipe from the well for the water.

A safety switch sounds like something I need also. i don't want to burn the pump up!

The tank is approx 16" width and approx 3' height. The tank portion though is probably about 2.5' height. the bottom there is no tank, just the T connection.

I can possibly get a picture of the tank if that will help. It just says Well X trol on it and is blue with the air valve on top. No other markings that I can find that would tell me size.

thanks

From what your describing it sounds like a wx-202 tank. The important thing and I think "coalkirk" said it , is to let the pump run alittle. The hardest thing on a pump is alot of starting and stopping. The pump get hot starting and stopping all the time. Plus start winding will burn out faster. Water being drawn past the motor when the pump is running is what cools it. Most pump manufactures recomend at least about 1 1/2 minutes of run time. My chart shows that at pressure of 20-40 you will get 8 gallons of water from tank before pump kicks on. If your pump is pushing about 5gpm your at about 1 1/2 minutes of run time. If your pump is pushing 7 gpm your short of normal run time. Error on the bigger side since you don't know pump size, depth, ect... I'd install the next size tank up. In amtrol tanks that would be a wx-203. Amtrol is pricy, Ferguson plumbing supply carrys their line of well tanks(proflo) and they are made for them by, Amtrol. The proflo tanks are better priced but your still getting amtrol quality. I heard "State" mentioned, thats a good line also.I would install a low water cut-off pressure switch while your changing the tank since you said you can run it dry. Hope all this helps.

Everyone who contributed to this thread so far:

THANKS

PlumbR thank you for your best estimation of the tank model! that is exactly what I was hoping for since I couldn't figure it out for myself.

I will be going in the coming weeks to purchase these items (after I get my tax return probably).

The safety switch you speak of. Is that something that is built into the Pressure switch? Or a seperate item in line?

I know I don't have one now but certainly am going to add one.

Thanks again

Be sure to visit the State Industries web site I posted previously. The Pump Mate is the only tank I know of that puts the pressure switch on the air side of the diaphragm. This is a significant advantage because only air, not well water, contacts the pressure switch. If you have poor well water quality this is a big deal.

Yanche

Yes I certainly did look at the state industries unit and certainly note the possible superior design.

I can certainly see how that would better on the controls.

I haven't had any luck finding anyone local that had those tanks though yet. But still much to search.

Thanks again.

The safety pressure switch is a pressure switch with a low pressure cutoff built in to it. Looks just like a normal pressure switch but with a small lever on the side of it. It's a simple device and needs manually reset when tripped. As in your case you said it's only run dry one or twice, manual reset is no big deal. If it happened alot there are better amprage sensing devices that automaticlly reset after set period of time.

Well I haven't been able to find anyone remotely close to me selling Pump Mate products so I am thinking I may go back with Amtrol.

One item I have read (and would like to hear if anyone knows anything about it?)

The Amtrol WX 203 (next size tank up from mine) is prone to failure than Amtrol Tanks that are short and Squat?

I ready where if you are considering a 203 and can fit it you should go with a 205 due to construction design?

Any thoughts out there?

I guess I'm pretty well sold on Amtrol and quality from what I read anyway....

Mark (PA) wrote:Well I haven't been able to find anyone remotely close to me selling Pump Mate products so I am thinking I may go back with Amtrol.

I bought mine at Northeastern Plumbing Supply. http://www.northeastern.com/locations

They have stores in Carlisle, York and Hanover, PA Also check Ferguson Distributors, they are a very large national firm that distributes State Industries products.

Carlisle would be the closest to me at about 1.5 hours away

can you buy online and have shipped to your house,or buy from supply house and have shipped. Alot better than driving 1 1/2 hrs. unless you have one of those electric cars. Oh my bad,wrong thread

EDIT: If there that good it may better to spend a little extra money on shipping , since it will be the last one you buy. Then get all your hook up supplies at the local supply house.