30lbs pressure when irrigation and shower running seems low?
#1
05-18-11, 07:09 AM
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30lbs pressure when irrigation and shower running seems low?
And the submersible pump is running. Recently I had alot of air in my lines, and no pressure. I put a new backflow valve in near the tank (not in the well).
I'm thinking if I have a leak in the well supply black flex PVC I'd see a bubble up in the yard. So if this continues I need a new pump (3 yrs old) or the flex PVC in the well has a leak.
Thoughts?
I'm thinking if I have a leak in the well supply black flex PVC I'd see a bubble up in the yard. So if this continues I need a new pump (3 yrs old) or the flex PVC in the well has a leak.
Thoughts?
#2
05-18-11, 07:56 AM
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The pressure you get when irrigating and taking a shower at the same time will also depend on the power of the pump. For example, if you are using 10 gallons per minute that may be the limit for your pump at that flow rate. A 1/2 hp pump will not be able to pump as much water and maintain pressure as a 1 hp pump.
If you draw less water (gpm) does it achieve a higher pressure?
If you draw less water (gpm) does it achieve a higher pressure?
#3
05-18-11, 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Pilot Dane
The pressure you get when irrigating and taking a shower at the same time will also depend on the power of the pump. For example, if you are using 10 gallons per minute that may be the limit for your pump at that flow rate. A 1/2 hp pump will not be able to pump as much water and maintain pressure as a 1 hp pump.
If you draw less water (gpm) does it achieve a higher pressure?
If you draw less water (gpm) does it achieve a higher pressure?
#4
05-18-11, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by glmccready
H...but I had more pressure until I turned the irrigation on this year...
I am guessing you have a deep well submersible pump?
A 1/2 hp deep well pump bringing water up from 100ft can deliver about 10 gpm at 30 psi and only 6 gpm at 50 psi. If you are seeing the pressure drop when running the sprinklers it could mean you are drawing as much as the pump can produce.
Can you adjust you irrigation schedule to times when you are not using water elsewhere in the house. Do the irrigating at 4am?
A leak is possible. If you have a pressure gauge on the system turn off everything that uses water and see if the pressure drops. If it does it could be a leak or faulty/leaky check valve. Not all leaks in the main line from the pump will bubble to the surface. The water will take the path of least resistance. If it can soak down into the soil it will.
#5
05-18-11, 10:52 AM
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Fixed! Brass fitting on top of sub. pump was rusted through.
Pulled up pump (45 ft) and brass fitting at the top was corroded through! Guys at plumbing supply said they had never seen anything like it? They didn't have stainless and said plastic wouldn't hold up to the torque so I put another brass one in. I think it should have lasted longer than 2 3/4 years, and I hope this one lasts!
Thanks Pilot Dane and my plumbing buddy, who said pull up the pump and take a look!
Thanks Pilot Dane and my plumbing buddy, who said pull up the pump and take a look!
#6
05-19-11, 09:20 AM
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I'm glad you found the culprit. I've never seen a brass fitting corroded through especially in less than 3 years. I wonder what's in your water that is eating brass so quickly. Is it screwed into a stainless steel pump?
#7
05-19-11, 01:25 PM
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Yes Dane, it was screwed into the stainless steel fitting of the pump. There wasn't even any teflon tape left on it, it was so corroded.
Made this video if you want to see the fitting:
YouTube - Submersible Pump installation
Thanks again!!!
Made this video if you want to see the fitting:
YouTube - Submersible Pump installation
Thanks again!!!
#8
05-19-11, 07:31 PM
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Never seen brass corrode like that....and I always use stainless nipples going into brass pumps. Normally you cannot screw steel into brass or this will happen.
It almost looks like it had a leak and the hole was ate through by water erosion, not electrolisys. That 25GS Goulds probably does 30+ GPM at that high water level. Next time use two joints of sch 80 PVC and skip the brass insert for poly or just use stainless inserts if you can find them.
It almost looks like it had a leak and the hole was ate through by water erosion, not electrolisys. That 25GS Goulds probably does 30+ GPM at that high water level. Next time use two joints of sch 80 PVC and skip the brass insert for poly or just use stainless inserts if you can find them.
#9
05-20-11, 04:48 AM
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Texas: I asked about PVC and they said the torque would split it, but that was prop. sch 40. They didn't have stainless for that fitting either. Sure is odd though!
