Doodlebug Pump -- FAQ

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Pump Accesories

General Questions about pressure switches, gauges, footvalves, checkvalves

1. i just replaced a bad check valve that did not have the normal symptom of bleeding water down and turning the pump back on and so on, my check valve would only open a fraction and wouldn't let enough water in to build up pressure but was able to close itself when the pump shut down so you did not have the water bleeding down like a normal bad valve. the bad check valve i had proves that if your pump shuts off and keeps pressure it does not mean that the check valve is good.
   
2. How to narrow the cut in to cut out psi from 20/40 to 35/40
   

Pump Accesories

1. i just replaced a bad check valve that did not have the normal symptom of bleeding water down and turning the pump back on and so on, my check valve would only open a fraction and wouldn't let enough water in to build up pressure but was able to close itself when the pump shut down so you did not have the water bleeding down like a normal bad valve. the bad check valve i had proves that if your pump shuts off and keeps pressure it does not mean that the check valve is good.

   You are correct. The typical failure is for the check to not seat on shut-off, thereby allowing water to flow back into the well or cistern. This causes the pump to stop, the pressure gauge starts to fall, the pump starts again and this cycle repeats itself. A check valve that does not fully open will cause the pump to cavitate, with very little water being pumped. This is unusual in that the normal cause of low water flow is a plugged impeller or suction leak. The suction leak is evidenced by air bubbles being present in the discharge line. Trouble shooting a pump problem is always a process of going from the most likely cause to the least likely. And it can be a time consuming process.

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2. How to narrow the cut in to cut out psi from 20/40 to 35/40

   Depending on the manufacter & type of switch, some types will allow you to adjust the "range". The recommended range is 20 PSI. For example: The typical settings are 20/40, 30/50 & 40/60. I do not recommend closing this setting. By doing so it will cause the pump to "cycle" much more frequently, causing the motor to use more electricity, generate excessive heat and result in early failure.

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