About 2 weeks ago, our water suddenly slowed to a trickle. I went outside to my "pump house" for a visual check. Everything looked good, but when I tightened the electrical connections, the pump came on. This was short-lived, however, and problems continued. A day later it happened again, and I tapped the pressure switch with a screwdriver. Suddenly, the pump took off again. We would have water for hours, but this happened a couple times a day, and I was having to bang on the pipes a little harder each time to get it going. It was getting annoying, as it is also 20 degrees out today. The pump house has heat lamps and stays warm. Last night, I went to do the "tapping" trick, but the pump would not come on, and the control box started "chattering". I turned off the system, and went to bed.
This morning, I opted to run top the hardware store, and purchased a new Square-D 30-50 pressure switch. The old switch was about 8 years old, and looked pretty clogged inside. Upon installation, I got the same results: "constant chatter". I then looked inside the control box and saw that the capacitor was leaking badly. Another run to town, and found a capacitor. Replaced capacitor, same results "chattering".
Prior to replacing the switch and gauge, I drained the system, and put 28 lbs. of air in the tank. The bladder is fine, and the tank only a few years old. As the system was chattering, the pressure gauge went up to 50 lbs., but still no water. It sounds as if the pump is trying to start, but will not. There is 120 volts on each side of the switch. This water system has been in the same place for several years and I did not move any of the components. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
This morning, I opted to run top the hardware store, and purchased a new Square-D 30-50 pressure switch. The old switch was about 8 years old, and looked pretty clogged inside. Upon installation, I got the same results: "constant chatter". I then looked inside the control box and saw that the capacitor was leaking badly. Another run to town, and found a capacitor. Replaced capacitor, same results "chattering".
Prior to replacing the switch and gauge, I drained the system, and put 28 lbs. of air in the tank. The bladder is fine, and the tank only a few years old. As the system was chattering, the pressure gauge went up to 50 lbs., but still no water. It sounds as if the pump is trying to start, but will not. There is 120 volts on each side of the switch. This water system has been in the same place for several years and I did not move any of the components. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
