Low pressure shut off

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Dadster1

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Location
48039
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Piledriver
I am looking for ideas on a water pressure issue. I have a well with a whole house RO system. I am getting a lot of gas bubbles being drawn up the pump. So much so occasionally (once a week) the well pump pressure drops down to 3-5 psi and with the pump running, fails to get back to the 50 psi I need. When I notice the pressure drop, I shut the well down for 1 hour, turn it back on and I'm usually good for a week. My question is: If this happens when my RO is calling for water, it is not getting nearly enough, and I need a way to shut off the RO. I was hoping there is some type of switch out there that could detect when I lose water pressure and then shut down the 110 supplied to the RO. I have done small electrical jobs but I'm not familiar with anything available for this application. The RO has a low-pressure shutoff, but it hasn't worked in many years and the company was in Tiawan and out of business. Thanks for any help.
 
Low pressure shut off switches are available, but they must be manually reset. They look just like a well pump pressure switch, but have a reset arm. Available at a lot of hardwares and pump supply stores.
 
Is this a jet pump? Unless you are running the well dry, you most likely have a rusted out jet if a deep well pump, or a hole in the suction line if a shallow well pump.
 
Dadster1 said:
I am looking for ideas on a water pressure issue. I have a well with a whole house RO system. I am getting a lot of gas bubbles being drawn up the pump. So much so occasionally (once a week) the well pump pressure drops down to 3-5 psi and with the pump running, fails to get back to the 50 psi I need. When I notice the pressure drop, I shut the well down for 1 hour, turn it back on and I'm usually good for a week. My question is: If this happens when my RO is calling for water, it is not getting nearly enough, and I need a way to shut off the RO. I was hoping there is some type of switch out there that could detect when I lose water pressure and then shut down the 110 supplied to the RO. I have done small electrical jobs but I'm not familiar with anything available for this application. The RO has a low-pressure shutoff, but it hasn't worked in many years and the company was in Tiawan and out of business. Thanks for any help.
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Questions:
1. Have you determined why you are losing pressure in your system. Maybe your pump is under-rated and does not meet your demand. if this be the case then up size your pump.
2. It could be a supply and demand issue if your pump is rated sufficiently. Your well NPSH drops too low(borderline) at your highest demand and your pump is borderline cavitating causing air in the lines and pressure drop. This being the case then your pump will not last very long. Consider a storage tank your pump fills when demand is low and level sensor to shut off pump when full(Auto level control/float)
3. There are low pressure switches available on Amazon you can replace the original one with and you can easily install it with your electrical know how. You didn't say how low your PSIG drops. GamaTech Pressure Switch for Water Pump and Air Pump, Digital Adjustable Pressure Controller, 110V, 0-145 Psi, 1/2" Male Npt. This is adjustable 0-145psi. should fit/replace the the existing LP
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Yes, as stated, the area has an extremely high increase in methane gas. That is an issue I have always had only it has gotten worse. Also, as stated, as this air bubble in the well casing increases, the pump will eventually stop bringing water up from the well. At this point I might have 5psi max. Thanks.
 
What's your highest psi and flow. Too many unknowns or lack of information to troubleshoot issue.
How deep is the suction end of your pump and what height/head you're trying to push the water.
What's your pump specs, gpm & Head in feet
 
Thank you to everyone who has responded, but I am simply looking for some type of switch that could detect when I lose water pressure and then shut down the 110 supplied to the RO. So like a switch I plug into a wall outlet and the RO is then plugged into the switch, I would then connect this" switch" to the incoming water line at the RO. So, no water pressure, no voltage. When water pressure resumes the switch activates and power resumes. I use the term "switch" simply to indicate what I view as the simplicity of this. Kind of like a residential timer you might plug into an outlet at home to control a lamp when you're out of town. The only difference is I want to sense water pressure. Thanks everyone.
 
Hillbilly1, my well guy said it's methane gas. At my hose bibs outside where the water is not filtered, I can turn on the spigot, hold a lighter next to the running water and get a six-foot flame!!! Been this way for the 23 years I've been here.
 
Dadster1 said:
Thank you to everyone who has responded, but I am simply looking for some type of switch that could detect when I lose water pressure and then shut down the 110 supplied to the RO. So like a switch I plug into a wall outlet and the RO is then plugged into the switch, I would then connect this" switch" to the incoming water line at the RO. So, no water pressure, no voltage. When water pressure resumes the switch activates and power resumes. I use the term "switch" simply to indicate what I view as the simplicity of this. Kind of like a residential timer you might plug into an outlet at home to control a lamp when you're out of town. The only difference is I want to sense water pressure. Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...
The switch I mentioned in post #4 will do what you want, but requires plumbing and electrical connections. You would need an electrician to install.
 
If you want an automatic reset, then post #8 integrated with a timer to allow the gas bubble to dissipate before resetting, would be what you need. But that would require someone familiar with controls and design to build.
 
Buy the cheapest at Amazon 1746477796129.png Buy the Low psi switch I posted before. Cut the float off this. Cut a T in your water line for the Psi switch and mount it. Wire the Psi switch N/O to the pigtail(blk/blk, wht/wht). Plug this into the wall outlet then plug your 110V pump to this and it should turn off your pump when there is low psi and restart when there is sufficient psi to whatever you set it for.
PS: I believe the float switch cable is a 16ga rated approx. 13.0Amps. If your pump draws more than that then this will not work as it will fry the wire. This is a disclaimer. Good luck
 
Hi Dadstar 1. Sorry the psi switch I recommended will not work since its a Low Psi start and High Psi shut-off. You want the opposite. But you get my drift. Look on Amazon for a low psi open and a set psi start then connect it to the float switch pigtail and you should be fine. I will look when I get a chance
 
Hi Dadstar1.
Glad you knew all along your air bubble problem causing low psi was methane gas. I feel a little taken thinking it's a regular pump or hydraulic issue. Forget my previous suggestions as any spark caused by the low psi switching might cause that methane to ignite. You need to find a way to vent that methane(tall pipe inline) and naturally alleviate your low psi issue without resorting to some sort of low psi switch.
My apologies. Good Luck.
 
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