Strange Well Pump Cycling @ Home Show Daily

Question:
My well pump seems to be cycling more often than usual. I have checked my pressure tank (30 PSI).No water comes out of the valve stem. The pump starts at about 42-45 PSI and shuts off at 50-55 PSI. The only thing that has been added to the system since I've moved in (12 years) is a water softener that I installed last year. It seems to have started about 2 or 3 months ago. Any Ideas?

Answer:
Your well pump switch has a built in 20 lbs PSI differential.
In other words, if you're well starts pumping at 35 LBS it will stop at 55 lbs. Your well tank has a rubber diaphragm built in it to keep the water on the bottom and the top is pressurized with air. On the very top of the tank is a valve (like on a tire) to pressurize the air. The correct pressure should be a couple of pounds lower than the high-end shut off pressure. You say your pump switches off at 45 lbs. Then the correct air pressure would be 42 or 43 lbs PSI.