well water system

Okay, I have lived at my country property
for a little over five years now. I am ready
to do something about the pressure system on my well. I want to upgrade to a larger pressure tank and replumb everything. The problem I am asking about a solution for is concerning a limitation on the size of pressure tank that can be used. At this
time, I have a tank with an 8.5 gallon capacity
and a drawdown of 4.3 gallons. This tank is located in a crawl space. The only access is through an opening between floor joists (16"
on center). I assume this is why such a small
tank was used. My question is: Can I use more than one tank of this size plumbed in line?
Is the drawn down pressure additive? In other
words if I use three tanks with a 4.3 draw
down will I have a total of 12.9 with a 20/40 pressure switch? I am considering this over
trying to enlarge my opening. It would be a huge task since there are gas lines etc. to move.

Thanks,

Tim, Ohio

As stated yes you can add as many pressure tanks as you want. I just intalled a new PT with a 34gal draw down, about $385 from Lowes. You need to order online then they deliver to the local store for your pick-up. They have other sizes available. They say 2wks but they lied, 4wks.

I have a new PT that I'd sell cheap, $100, with 34gal draw down. Never been used but I did bounce it off the free-way a couple times on the way home...LOL

From your picture, I'd also plan on replacing a few fittings when you open that one up. Might also be a good time to clean up some electrical wiring.

Your thinking is correct, buy the largest PT you can get into the system as the larger the PT the cheaper it is to run the pump and the longer the pump lasts. I too would look at adding on a larger PT outside or inside a dedicated closet vs using several small PT, not cost effective, $195 smallest vs $385 for the larger PT.

Allan's system appears like a good idea but I would want to see the 10yr or 20yr gross cost, both installation and utility cost, VS the good o'l standard setup that's pretty cheap for pumping water.

T_Bone

8gal is very small for a house.

--->Paul

Alan
whats that tank in the pic there. and if I can ask whats the ball park price for that set up? had the pump replace in 94' so when it's time I might like to upgrade.

It was somewhere in the "$800-ish" range. Since this was a totally new hole, and after figurin' it up, it was just cheaper to go this direction.

Glad we did, because we are really impressed with this little gizmo.

Allan

My strong suits are painted women, cigarettes and whiskey. You need to talk to the well people. :>)

Allan

Wouldn't it be just as easy to swap out the pump? New systems don't use a tank anymore; they vary the pump speed down in the hole.

Very cost competitive too.

Allan

All digital controlled via a transducer and are way "cheaper" than those old systems.

Added bonus is they throw water like you wouldn't believe.

Allan

A friend of mine has a new variable speed pump setup and he likes it. One advantage is that you can easily vary the pressure up or down; you can have high pressure just when you need it, then turn it back down to save wear and tear on the pump.

On the other hand, when power goes out, I still have a couple of flushes in my old style pressure tank. He's out of water as soon as he loses power.

http://www.rieckesbaysidegallery.com/programfiles/talers/welsyt3.jpg

One of the advantages of the large pressure tank system was that you didn't cycle your well pump as often, they were designed for fewer, longer runs vs many shorter runs ( for instance, you are running your pump every time you wash your hands or flush a toilet ).

Not saying your system will have problems, its new technology and most likely much improved.

=)

There is no starter pack, no switch, no pressure tank. They've been eleminated.

That motor just idles at the bottom of the hole and the speed is increased or decreased as is necessary to maintain the pressure.

The motor doesn't "come on" or "go off" like in conventional systems.

Allan