How to prevent a water pump from running for days..
#1
07-10-16, 12:01 PM
How to prevent a water pump from running for days..
Maybe not 'days' ...but I have a spare shallow well pump that we use for basic non-drinking water. It's in a shed about 100' from the house.
The most recent episode was a 'vacuum gage' failed internally and allowed air in the system ..the pump ran for ??? It's a Goulds so nothing melted, but it got hot.
The only switches I know of turn the pump ON when there is a lack of pressure .. I need to find one that will turn it OFF if there is a lack of pressure for some specific period of time - 20min? ..or if the motor body exceed some temperature..
I just got two (always spares..) liquid filled vacuum gages - hopefully these last longer. Thanks.
Jim
The most recent episode was a 'vacuum gage' failed internally and allowed air in the system ..the pump ran for ??? It's a Goulds so nothing melted, but it got hot.
The only switches I know of turn the pump ON when there is a lack of pressure .. I need to find one that will turn it OFF if there is a lack of pressure for some specific period of time - 20min? ..or if the motor body exceed some temperature..
I just got two (always spares..) liquid filled vacuum gages - hopefully these last longer. Thanks.
Jim
#2
07-10-16, 12:20 PM
Group Moderator
How how would a vacuum gauge be used on a shallow well ??
What turns the pump on now ?
They do make pressure switches that come with a form C contact meaning they have a normally open and normally closed switch.
What turns the pump on now ?
They do make pressure switches that come with a form C contact meaning they have a normally open and normally closed switch.
#3
07-10-16, 01:32 PM
#4
07-10-16, 10:05 PM
There should be a pressure switch that turns the pump off again when the pressure gets too high. Usually the low pressure turn on and high pressure turn off are in the same switch module so they are coordinated.
Unless the pump is intended for on-demand operation, there should be a pressure tank, that holds an air cushion, so there is a spread (typically about a 20 PSI difference) between turn on and turn off pressures which keeps the pump from turning on and off too frequently.
Unless the pump is intended for on-demand operation, there should be a pressure tank, that holds an air cushion, so there is a spread (typically about a 20 PSI difference) between turn on and turn off pressures which keeps the pump from turning on and off too frequently.
#5
07-11-16, 06:47 AM
Thanks Guys... Yes - there's a conventional pressure switch .. set at roughly 30/50. When it hits 30.. pump comes on of course.. when it hits 'Zero' ..pump stays on because the only shut-off is at 50.
I got a 'large' pressure tank so the pump would not have to run so often.. but when you're running two sprinklers.. you could just as well have one of the tiny ones that sit atop the pump ...'it's going to run anyway.
PJ.. I put a vacuum gage on the suction side of the pump because I was having difficulty with keeping a prime in this well. Ultimately, I simply ran about 40' of black pipe within the casing because I wanted a known-direct line below water level. I was concerned that the casing had an air leak. That was a few years ago.. I got to like knowing (being able to see) the pump's draw.
Sped.. that's the one I need. Problem is: the pressure is always low when you have a couple of sprinklers running.. I need one with a timer: after one hour of low pressure - STOP. If you need to water more, go back, press re-set.
(maybe I simply have to wire a basic timer in the 120v supply...)
Jim
I got a 'large' pressure tank so the pump would not have to run so often.. but when you're running two sprinklers.. you could just as well have one of the tiny ones that sit atop the pump ...'it's going to run anyway.
PJ.. I put a vacuum gage on the suction side of the pump because I was having difficulty with keeping a prime in this well. Ultimately, I simply ran about 40' of black pipe within the casing because I wanted a known-direct line below water level. I was concerned that the casing had an air leak. That was a few years ago.. I got to like knowing (being able to see) the pump's draw.
Sped.. that's the one I need. Problem is: the pressure is always low when you have a couple of sprinklers running.. I need one with a timer: after one hour of low pressure - STOP. If you need to water more, go back, press re-set.
(maybe I simply have to wire a basic timer in the 120v supply...)
Jim
#6
07-12-16, 08:52 AM
Does the pump look like it is overheating?
Most pumps will run continuously longer with less wear and tear at lower than normal pressures assuming the pump does not run dry.
Still there is an ultimate lifetime in terms of running hours and, with large quantities of water needed for sprinklers, the lifetime, although lengthened by the lower pressure demands, will come to an end sooner compared with a pump that supplies only household water needs.
You might want to keep track of oiling the pump. It will probably need oiling more often than a pump that supplies only household water, although not so many times more often in proportion to the amount of water pumped.
Most pumps will run continuously longer with less wear and tear at lower than normal pressures assuming the pump does not run dry.
Still there is an ultimate lifetime in terms of running hours and, with large quantities of water needed for sprinklers, the lifetime, although lengthened by the lower pressure demands, will come to an end sooner compared with a pump that supplies only household water needs.
You might want to keep track of oiling the pump. It will probably need oiling more often than a pump that supplies only household water, although not so many times more often in proportion to the amount of water pumped.
