How to set water pressure - Northstar Pressure Washer 3000 PSI

There may be a pressure setting on your outfit but My feeling is -- your problem will be low pressure on your water line. Most pressure settings is to keep from having too much pressure on what your running. For instance our city water pressure is 70 lbs but in order to keep my furnace boiler system at 16 lbs I have to install a pressure reducer.

Putting 60 lbs. of pressure in the pressure tank is not the answer.

First determine that the pump is working correctly, Open the drain valve and see if you get a good flow of water. If you do then OK, the pump is working. If you are not getting a good water flow from the drain valve, then the pump is not operating correctly - maybe a bad foot valve. Next open the drain valve and watch the water pressure gauge, and note at what pressure the pump kicks on ( that's the cut-in pressure), and when it kicks off ( that's the cut-out pressure). Most pumps are set to operate at 20-40 psi, or 30-50 psi. The cut-in and cut-out pressure is set by the water pressure switch.The pressure in the water tank has to be set 2 psi BELOW the cut-in pressure of the pump. That is, if the pump has a 20-40 psi differential, then the tank has to be pre-charged to 18 psi.

To pre- charge the pressure tank , the pump has to be shut off. The Tank needs to be emptied (drained ) of water. The air pressure is then set to 2 psi BELOW the cut-in pressure. If water escapes from the air valve, the bladder in the tank is ruptured, and a new tank needs to be installed.

So, first make sure the pump is working.
I WOULD RELIEVE MOST OF THE PRESSURE IN THE PRESSURE TANK TO ABOUT 20 PSI BEFORE CHECKING THE PUMP, AND PRCEEDING WITH THE PRE-CHARGE OF THE TANK.

Pressure tanks do just that in a water system. They create pressure for water to flow when the water pump is on the off cycle. A manifold is plumbed into the tank from the main line coming from the well. The main water line continues to the house plumbing from the manifold. So it's line from pump to manifold - to tank, and from manifold to main into house. The manifold also has tappings for the pressure gauge and the pressure switch. The pressure tank creates water pressure. The water does not flow through the tank. Pressure tanks also have to be 'tuned' or adjusted to the low end pressure set by the pressure switch. Actually the tank pressure needs to be set 2psi below the low end pressure. Most residential water systems are set to operate between 20 -40, or 30-50 psi, which is set by the pressure switch, which in turn , turns the water pump on and off. So if a system operates between 20 and 40 psi, the pre-charged pressure of the tank should be 18 psi. Pre-charged means the tank is drained of water with the water pump OFF. The tank pressure is then checked adjusted by way of the air valve on top of the tank ( A tire gauge works). Pressure tank mainfolds are a common plumbing part.

Hi Chris...
Normally you set the air first.... but it can be done either way, just be sure that you have about 1/4 of your tank an air cushion, this stops the pump from cycling on and off to fast
Bud

see this causes and fix it. God bless you
Water Inlet Valve If the washer is overflowing and power is shut off to the washer, the water inlet valve has failed. Replace it.
Pressure Switch If the washer is overflowing the pressure switch might be defective. The pressure switch is attached to a small tube which is attached to the outer wash tub. As the water level rises the air pressure in the tube increases, once the set water level is reached the pressure switch turns off power to the water inlet valve. Check to be sure the air tube to the pressure switch is clear before replacing the switch.

Low Water Pressure from House Supply If the washer is overflowing the water pressure to the water inlet valve might be too low. The water inlet valve requires a minimum of 20 psi to shut off properly. If the pressure is lower, the valve may not close fully when the power is shut off. This results in the valve leaking water into the washer and causing it to overflow.

Certain in-line water pumps utilize different impellers depending if the pump is designed for a pressurized or a free flow application. If a pump is to be used on a free flow set-up, a smaller motor with a free flow impeller can be used to push as much water as the larger motor with an impeller that handles pressurized systems.

There will usually be a difference in water pressure between the pump cycling on and off. The larger, spring loaded nut near the end of the case is the shut off adjustment. The small spring loaded nut next to it is for setting the differential between the stopping point and when the pump will restart. Getting these two points as close as possible will minimize the pressure differential while doing yard work but short cycling is not good for motors of any kind.

pressure switch,look under cover tells you how too set there's low set and high set,look at pressure guage should click on at 30psi shut off at 50psi, adjust to this, just be careful don.t get shocked'power goes to switch for your pump. that would be first thing i'd check.

The pressure tank psi may be too high. To set it you get the system to pressure up and stop then check that water pressure. Whatever that is, is what the tank should be set at. Too much air pressure and the water pressure will suddenly drop before the pump kicks in.
To set the tank properly turn off the pump, drain all water pressure, then set the air pressure in the tank to the same as the water pressure was. Turn it back on and check again.

go to the watts website...there are instructions one there that will guide you through setting it.