Home & Garden Best Posts in Thread: Water Pressure Systems

We have a 1500 litre storage tank, which is good for 3 - 4 days (3.5 people) and a pressure tank holding about 50 litres. It's the size of the pressure tank which affects the pump cycle time. The system operates at about 40 psi. You will also need a non return valve between the storage tank and the pump and a float switch in the storage tank which will turn the pump off when the water level in the tank is too low.
Noel at Citi Hardware can advise and fit the system. Excellent guy.

 

i've installed a few pressurized systems but i'm not an exspurt or have i experienced the following myself but your system components are sposed to last longer if you get a larger tank so the system recycles less often.

also, a larger tank will get you more use during a brownout and longer showers at a more steady pressure..

 

My observation is that pumps wear out faster if they have to suck the water and push it uphill. So I have a plan (if I ever get around to it ) to put a water holding tank at the highest level that the municipal water pressure will fill on a good day. That is about equal to the ceiling of my second floor CR.

Then I need only attach a pressure system that feeds from that tank without having to suck and pressures the water downhill so has gravity as an added assist.

The water holding tank will fill slowly and at certain times of the day will not even get any water (be sure to have a one way check valve to be sure the water does not leak back into the municipal supply), but so long as the tank holds 1,000 liters (more or less) then I can go a couple days without it being fed and one good night will fill it up again.

I know this system works because a house I used to rent had this system and it had the added advantage that during a brownout you still have gravity feed water pressure.

 

Attached is a schematic of the water supply layout I have - relatively simple and ensures a supply even if/when the municipal supply fails. For info - the tank is on a 20ft tower but the elevation is not absolutely necessary. The pressure pump is set to kick in at about 15-20 psi (& off at 42 psi) so even if the municipal supply pressure drops we get good pressure at all the outlets.

 

I have installed my system in Dauin now 7 years. I have a deepwell and submersible pump. Well is 120' deep and pump is at 100'. The deepwell pump fills a 800 litre SS head tank positioned 18' above ground level, Standard Blue 3/4 hp pressure pump fills a pressure tank. I found that the crappy brass non return valves with swing flap that you can buy in most places were NBG. The pressure pump was short cycling causing pump wear and additional power useage. I now have fitted a Simmons 1'' Check Valve USA manuf, (Polaris Supply) with rubber seat, no more back leakage and worth every penny. Deepwell pump is controlled by float SW in head tank with manual overide facility. In times of brown outs I can bypass the pressure system. I have a fully prepared spare pressure pump ready to fit. Deepwell pump was quality product from Italy, with correct 60HZ motor.

 

You usually need two check valves. One as the town water is entering your system, to prevent the pressurized water from going back into the town supply. The other is between the storage tank and the pump, as with most pumps, after the pump finishes, the pressure can push the water backwards through the pump into the storage tank. Some pumps may prevent this, so you would not need the extra check valve.