Over the weekend, I had to replace the pressure switch and a good deal of PVC in my pump house. When I got done, I realized that I no longer had a pressure gauge in the system. :smack: I have a 30/50 pressure switch and a pressure tank that shows about 45psi. Should I cut into my PVC (again) and add a gauge? I don’t think that it would be terribly difficult to do I just don’t know if there’s that much utility to one. My friend’s tank is buried and all that he can see is the pressure switch.
Mine broke and I don’t miss it. I am never in a position to see it anyway unless there is a problem. It is helpful adjusting the pressure cut in/off but if that’s OK then you would really not need one.
Also if I really needed one I would look to one I could attach to a hose fitting for temp use.
The only real need for the presure gauge is for calibration. I never countil on them working more than a few years after they are installed. Your 30/50 preset switch is rarely correctly set but it’s close enough on a home owner job. Professionals tend to care a bit more about such things.
As a well water professional I’ve considered doing away with the altogether. From my perspective I could screw in a gauge service the system by setting air pressure and switch, take the gauge out and put in a brass plug. Then I wouldn’t be charging my customers for new gauges all the time.
The pro’s of still replacing gauges are: People like them. They sometimes allow laymen to identify an issue and provide data over the phone. I make 1-2 dollars on the part. They are relatively inexpensive so customers don’t object to new gauges, regular service on a diaphragm pressure tank is only every five years so it’s barely a noticeable expense in most people’s lifetimes.
If you’re pressure tank is anywhere leaking could be an issue I’d reconsider PVC. PVC can stress fracture and often does so when pumps, cycles, and pressure is involved. While it is substantially cheaper than brass, I’ve seen people cause far more damage than they saved due to burst piping.
the gauge is a failure point.
they can spring a leak after a number of years. not a flood leak but a get everything wet where they are leak. so they can cause rot of where they are and things nearby.
Not in my experience. They just stop working. Switches on the other hand will rot out and leak.
If you plan to sell the house in the near future - you might put it in now than later.
Thanks for the info Dopers. Although the pump is no where that a leak would do any damage, I think I’ll just leave the system as it is for now. It just feels like I lost my security blanket.
I always prefer to have a pressure gauge on the system.
It makes me feel better.
I can afford one.
So there.
If that’s a haiku
The meter is incorrect
But thanks anyway
Hi pot… 