Why has my water pressure reduced after installing a check valve on a flotec 1.5 hp shallow well pump?
Question:Prior to the check valve, the water pressure was enough to use for my spinklers. I put in the check valve on the line coming out from the well right in front of the pump. Now my PSI bounces never above 5 and water comes out but now at a rate that dribbles out of the sprinkler
Answers:
you might have a clog on valve or line,maybe you put the check valve reverse.
Sounds like the wrong type check valve or improper installation. Remove it and see if pressure increases. If so, their is a problem with the check valve.
Pressure drop across the valve. Is the check spring loaded? If so, then it will cost you some pressure to open it. There is a restriction at the valve. The check valve may be too much for the pump to over come.
The flow tech valve has a much reduced volumetric rate than an ordinary flapper brass check.
What you need to do is return this valve and go a size larger on diameter and then bush the valve down to your pipe size.
the reason is that your jet is clogged and cannot let the pump build pressure . Find the jet orifice and clean out the stuff that is in the jet way
Assumng the 5 psi you are seeing is downstream of the valve.
Make sure your check valve is installed in the correct direction!
Check the ratings on the check valve for flow. (or is it a regulator that you installed for your sprinklers)
If the 5 psi is measured at the pump, check for broken lines / heads downstream, (there could be an open line which won't let the pressure build up.)
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