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OIL TANKS
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WATER PRESSURE REPAIR GUIDE & COSTS
WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS GUIDE
  WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
  WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR
WATER PUMPS & TANKS & WELLS
WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES
  IDENTIFY WELL PUMP TANK COMPONENTS
  MAIN WATER SHUTOFF VALVE
  PUMP ELECTRICAL SWITCHES
  PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL
    WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
    WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR
    WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPLACE
  PUMP RELAY SWITCH
  TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS
  TANK AIR INLET VALVE
  TANK PRESSURE GAUGE
  TANK DRAIN VALVE
  TANK RELIEF VALVE
  CHECK VALVES
  WATER FILTERS
  WATER FILTERS
PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY
WATER PUMP & TANK SAFETY
WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING
WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL
WATER TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY
WATER TANK REPAIRS
WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD
WATER TANK PRESSURE CALCULATIONS
WATER TANK SIZE & VOLUME
WATER TANKS HOW THEY WORK
WATER TESTING
WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS
WELL, PUMP, TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY
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How to Find & Maintain the Water Tank Air Volume Control
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How to Find & Maintain the Water Tank Air Volume Control - what it looks like, when do you need one, or is an AVC even installed on your water tank?

What are the controls, switches, valves found on water tanks and water pumps, what do they do, how are they repaired?

Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures

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This article describes How to Find & Maintain the Water Tank Air Volume Control. Readers of this document should also see Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case which offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost. © 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS

Photograph of a water pressure tank air volume control

The air volume control or "AVC" device mounted (usually) on older steel water tanks (ones that do not use an internal bladder to keep water and air separate) is designed to automatically add air to the water pressure tank when it's needed.

If a water tank loses its air charge it stops working properly and usually results in the water pump turning on and off rapidly - "short cycling" of the water pump. This condition, in turn, can damage or even burn up the water pump.

The air volume control might also be located right on top of a one line or two line jet pump such as is visible at the top center in this photo.

This alternative air volume control does not include a disc-shaped device and has lost any connection to the water system's pump or other piping. We wouldn't assume it's working.

But you may hear air hissing in at this fixture (it's working), or you may see water leaking out of it (meaning it needs repair). For a perspective view of where this device was installed on this galvanized steel water tank click the photo. You won't see a control like this installed on a bladder-type captive air water tank.

See AIR VOLUME CONTROLS for a detailed discussion of air volume controls and their repair or replacement.

Here's one more photo of a (probably not working) air volume control attachment on a water tank, to help you recognize just what these devices may look like.

Remember if you see this device on your water tank, the tank is not a bladder-type or "captive air" or "Well-X-Trol" (TM) type water tank. It's an older steel water tank wherein the air charge is ultimately lost either by absorption into the water passing through the tank or by leaks.

See AIR VOLUME CONTROLS for a detailed discussion of air volume controls and their repair or replacement.

Water Tank Maintenance & Repair Chapter Index

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Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost
Water pressure tank failures & water pump short cycling diagnosis and repair
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