Installed a new jet pump for shallow well (gravity feed to pump) - used old pressure tank - after about 4 months pump began kicking on and off constantly when in use - troubleshooting guide suggested it could be the pressure tank - bypassed the pressure tank but no change in on-off cycle - also checked to make sure impeller was clean - I suspect that the bypassing of the pressure tank is the problem???

do you have a pressure tank or what, are you doing a gravity type deal with a pump to back it up, all pumps need pressure tank too. or your pump will constantly be on or your tank fill hole is not tight a pump is designed to trip the breaker if it wired direct, if it is not wired direct like wired to an extension cord, then who knows what it will do burn up I imagine if it is constantly going on without water pumping thru it need more details

Check for something stopping up supply to the pump, or allowing air into the pump.

your foot valve in the well is faulty replace

Clean electric switchcontacts with crocus cloth. Adjust higher cut in pressure on this switch.

Hi mid_age_elf
Your problem is that your "water bound"...
Your water tank must have a cushion of air for the pressure switch to work properly.
Turn off your pump and drain about 1/3 of the water from your tank.
Once you have an "air cushion" the pump and switch will work properly.
You can also add air pressure using an air compressor and an air valve installed on the top of your water tank or maybe on the side or bottom of the tank.
You would put air into the tank until about 1/3 of the water is gone replaced with the air.
Once that is complete your problem will be solved.
Please take time to rate me
Bud

Good you got it working. Please post again if you have more trouble on this or another item. Also be sure and check what I mentioned just in case you are operating at the margins, don't want a failure right after you got it going!

No response.

Hi, Tom, W/D here.
You shouldn't really need a check valve as the foot valve is in effect a check valve.
Next time that you are near the pump when it kicks on and you are using no water, let it achieve full pressure and kick off. Close the discharge valve, isolating the pump and suction line. Watch the pressure gauge. If the pressure falls, you either have a leak in the suction line, possibly a leak at the well head (sucking air), a leak in the casing riser pipe or bad foot valve.
If the pressure holds steady, open the discharge valve and note the pressure. If it falls immediately upon opening the valve, the leak would be on the house side if the pump. Look then for any sources of water usage (ice maker, drips in the tub, water from the pop-off valve at the water heater, etc.).
Best regards, and good luck.
If I can be of any further assistance, please post back.
--W/D--

I don't think the power shortage had anything to do with the pump, I think it is the impeller or a gasket, or both. It is hard to say, a pump like that should **** dry and pull water right in.If you put your hand over the end of the pipe, it should make a mark like an octopus on your hand. I would take off the impeller, look for trouble, and replace 3 or 4 parts in there , you should have water. Hope this helps.

There are tow screw adjustments on the switch. One is the high shut off and the other is 'differential'. This is the one you need to adjust. It gives the 'window' that the system needs 'between' on and off.

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