Anyone here know anything about water wells?
Oct 23, 2018 13:04:24 #
archie bunker wrote:
But..........I would worry that he might over-pressurize the system, and blow out my pipes, and fixtures. 
you're most likely correct
I withdraw my suggestion
Oct 23, 2018 20:19:20 #
archie bunker wrote:
Our pump is out, and I'm getting conflicting information from well fixer people. One tells me that a 1hp 20gpm pump won't push enough pressure, and another tells me that a 10 gpm pump won't push enough pressure. This is out of my vast scope of knowledge about how things work.
My well is more than 250 ft deep, and I'm trying to figure out what pump I need that will last.
My well is more than 250 ft deep, and I'm trying to figure out what pump I need that will last.
Arch not a well guy myself but I can tell you this, the capacity of a pump is based on delivery(gallons per minute) at some developed head (discharge pressure, psig.) If a well is 250 feet deep. Discharge pressure is determined primarily by what the pump is pumping against. In your case a 250 foot well and if the pump was submerged in 50 feet of water. The difference is 200 feet the pump has to develop just to get the water up to ground level. 200 divided by 2.31psi/foot equals 86.6 psi at the discharge of the pump, Now I am assuming you would like some water pressure at the faucet so that has to be added. The gallons per minute is based on what you might want to use the water for. An occasional shower or supplying a dish washer or toilet flushing are comparative low requirements but need to be considered if you don't want to stand looking dumb in the shower if someone starts to sprinkle the lawn. Hope this helps a little. In our area where lots of homes are rural and have wells of various depths, the plumber guys know how to size a pump for your specific needs. Yours should know as well. Ultimately it depends on how much you want to spend. That is the best criteria. Your cost and the warranty of the pump because you want the thing to last. Thing to remember output of the pump (gpm) has nothing to do with it. The pressure (psi)needed to get the water up to you is the criteria in selecting the pump then you want to try to figure how much you might need at any time (gpm). Please post about how you make out.
Oct 23, 2018 20:56:45 #
EN Submarine Qualified wrote:
Arch not a well guy myself but I can tell you this... (show quote)
Very well explained. Thank you! My wife picked up the recommended pump today, and, hopefully we can have it pumping by the weekend. It's supposed to start raining tomorrow, so that may slow things up a bit, but we're getting there. It's only been a few days, and I'm tired of hauling water, and showering at work.
Oct 23, 2018 21:06:00 #
archie bunker wrote:
Very well explained. Thank you! My wife picked up the recommended pump today, and, hopefully we can have it pumping by the weekend. It's supposed to start raining tomorrow, so that may slow things up a bit, but we're getting there. It's only been a few days, and I'm tired of hauling water, and showering at work.
Glad to hear it.
Oct 23, 2018 22:51:28 #
archie bunker wrote:
That's why I'm trying to figure out the pump situation. I've got two different well guys who will both pull, and install it for 600 bucks, but they're telling me two different things. I'm just trying to make an informed decision here.
I would use the Tim Allen method of choice. MORE POWER!!!!
Oct 24, 2018 14:22:10 #
debeda wrote:
I would use the Tim Allen method of choice. MORE POWER!!!!
A little additional info. Installed on a well pump discharge is a check valve called a foot valve. It's function is to prevent draining your well piping back through the pump. This allows the system pressure to go below the start pressure for the pump. Your pump starts when system pressure drops to the start setpoint. Symptom of this problem is continuous starting and stopping of your pump. Your pump starts and builds up system pressure to the point at which it shuts down. If the foot valve leaks by allowing the water column in the piping to drain back through the pump, the system pressure drops and the pump starts and runs to satisfy system pressure then shuts down, pressure drops immediately causing a pump start to be repeated over and over until the pump gives up if check valve isn't repaired.
In my case this is exactly what happened. The well fixer guy pulled piping and pump from the well (125 feet deep) and verified in fact the check valve was worn out. He made the pitch that as long as everything was out, might as well replace the pump which was a small part of his call to do the fix. Installed new pump, check valve and piping. Kept the old pump and the last time I saw it, it was in the garage. Too bad I couldn't have given it to you.
We sold the property when we had to move into assisted living so the new owners have it made for a long time.
Oct 25, 2018 00:07:52 #
Check valves are used on Jet pumps, not submersibles like the 10 GPM 1 HP described. The 10 GPM 1 HP would Dead Head at about 220 feet. That would be 0 PSI or no pressure if the well pumped down in the Summer... Go with the 10 GPM 1.5 HP and install a PRV (Pressure Relief Valve near you pressure switch.
I worked as a Pump Mechanic for over 10 years and have seem most pumping applications.
BTW check the air pressure in you Pressure Tank. A Galvanized tank have 3 working parts, A Schrader valve (Bicycle valve) at the top of the pipe, a Bleed back valve set 20 feet down on the last drop pipe, and an Air Volume Control Valve set on the side of the Galvanized Tank. No Footvalve is used because you want the 20 feet of water in the last drop pipe to drain out the bottom. This adds a shot of air into the Galvanized tank each time the pump starts. The Air Volume Control valve bleeds excessive air out of the galv tank to maintain a proper air pressure in the tank
A Bladder tank is usually Blue or Brown and should have an operating air pressure of 28 psi for 30 to 50 psi and 38 psi for 40 to 60 psi.
I worked as a Pump Mechanic for over 10 years and have seem most pumping applications.
BTW check the air pressure in you Pressure Tank. A Galvanized tank have 3 working parts, A Schrader valve (Bicycle valve) at the top of the pipe, a Bleed back valve set 20 feet down on the last drop pipe, and an Air Volume Control Valve set on the side of the Galvanized Tank. No Footvalve is used because you want the 20 feet of water in the last drop pipe to drain out the bottom. This adds a shot of air into the Galvanized tank each time the pump starts. The Air Volume Control valve bleeds excessive air out of the galv tank to maintain a proper air pressure in the tank
A Bladder tank is usually Blue or Brown and should have an operating air pressure of 28 psi for 30 to 50 psi and 38 psi for 40 to 60 psi.
Oct 25, 2018 09:09:43 #
EN Submarine Qualified wrote:
A little additional info. Installed on a well pum... (show quote)
See info in attached especially #3 in diagram;https://www.cleanwaterstore.com/blog/how-home-well-water-pump-and-pressure-systems-work/
Oct 29, 2018 15:19:29 #
Just an update.
I decided to quit wearing myself out about it, and went with what the old well guy who learned from his dad said.
We put in a 10gpm, 1hp pump that he advised us to, and purchased the extended warranty on it.
They installed it this morning, and we have more water now than we have had in years. I think the old pump might have been getting tired for a while. It was in the ground for 28 years, and wanted to come up for a breath of air, and a dirt nap.
Thanks for all of the input, and information. I now have a better understanding of how this all works. I was over complicating it, I think.
I decided to quit wearing myself out about it, and went with what the old well guy who learned from his dad said.
We put in a 10gpm, 1hp pump that he advised us to, and purchased the extended warranty on it.
They installed it this morning, and we have more water now than we have had in years. I think the old pump might have been getting tired for a while. It was in the ground for 28 years, and wanted to come up for a breath of air, and a dirt nap.
Thanks for all of the input, and information. I now have a better understanding of how this all works. I was over complicating it, I think.
Oct 29, 2018 15:32:43 #
archie bunker wrote:
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, arch. I learned a lot also. Thanks to all for their input.Just an update. br I decided to quit wearing myse... (show quote)
Oct 29, 2018 15:55:29 #
Fit2BTied wrote:
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, arch. I learned a lot also. Thanks to all for their input.
I think I found the unicorn in the water well business around here. Everyone else said anywhere from $2200.00 to $3000.00, and wouldn't install a pump that I had purchased.
This guy told me what pump to get, installed it, plumbed, and wired it, and I got out for a tad less than $1000.00.
Oct 29, 2018 16:02:09 #
archie bunker wrote:
There are still "those kinda people" out there, but boy it's gettin' harder and harder to find them. Be sure to recommend him to your neighbors. I think I found the unicorn in the water well business around here. Everyone else said anywhere from $2200.00 to $3000.00, and wouldn't install a pump that I had purchased.
This guy told me what pump to get, installed it, plumbed, and wired it, and I got out for a tad less than $1000.00.
This guy told me what pump to get, installed it, plumbed, and wired it, and I got out for a tad less than $1000.00.
Oct 29, 2018 16:12:42 #
Fit2BTied wrote:
There are still "those kinda people" out there, but boy it's gettin' harder and harder to find them. Be sure to recommend him to your neighbors.
Oh, yeah!! I dang sure will!
On top of the multiple phone conversations I had with him helping me diagnose the problem, he petted my dog, and wanted to get him a Slim Jim from his truck!
Oct 29, 2018 18:08:49 #
Guys like that don't hurt for business!
archie bunker wrote:
Oh, yeah!! I dang sure will!
On top of the multiple phone conversations I had with him helping me diagnose the problem, he petted my dog, and wanted to get him a Slim Jim from his truck!
On top of the multiple phone conversations I had with him helping me diagnose the problem, he petted my dog, and wanted to get him a Slim Jim from his truck!
Oct 29, 2018 18:12:17 #
archie bunker wrote:
Oh, yeah!! I dang sure will!
On top of the multiple phone conversations I had with him helping me diagnose the problem, he petted my dog, and wanted to get him a Slim Jim from his truck!
On top of the multiple phone conversations I had with him helping me diagnose the problem, he petted my dog, and wanted to get him a Slim Jim from his truck!
sure am glad you solved your problem Arch
now I can sleep nights
BTW
if he tried to pet the dog in your pic
he was brave too
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