Well Pump sometimes works and sometimes doesn't
#1
01-13-13, 04:37 PM
Well Pump sometimes works and sometimes doesn't
I have problems with my well in the morning. Yesterday I did not have any water at all first thing in the morning. By mid day it was working again. I thought it may be a freeze problem since it is getting down below freezing every night so I started to look at installing heat tape around the plumbing coming out of the well/ to the tank and then into the house. I had a hunch there may be a contact issue so I opened the limit switch for the tank. I found some of the wires loose so I tightened them up and tested. The well pump worked properly. I thought I would wait before installing the heat tape and see how it worked this morning. I did have water this morning but the pump did not refill the tank until about 2 hours after draining the tank down. All the well plumbing and plumbing into the house is very well insulated. The well pump motor is 220 volts. I'm thinking this is a pressure switch problem and not a freeze problem. Any thoughts?
#2
01-13-13, 06:19 PM
Group Moderator
I did have water this morning but the pump did not refill the tank until about 2 hours after draining the tank down
If you have problems every morning and then when it warms up it's ok......then I would say it must be a freeze issue.
#3
01-13-13, 09:28 PM
The tank was drained due to use since it did not refill automatically. What doesn't make sense is why would the cold issue keep the pump from coming on? If the water lines were frozen then I could see an issue but for the cold to keep the relay from turning on doesn't make sense. I'm leaning towards a new limit switch.
#4
01-13-13, 11:05 PM
Group Moderator
This is a submersible pump system right.......the pump is underground ?
If it is......the pressure switch is turning the pump on but it cant pump thru a frozen line.
If it is......the pressure switch is turning the pump on but it cant pump thru a frozen line.
#5
01-13-13, 11:33 PM
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Next time you find yourself with an empty tank, can you get out there with a multimeter and start checking the circuit? You should be able to determine if the limit switch is closed, whether or not power is being sent down to the pump, or if power is being interrupted, possibly by a pressure switch or breaker.
If you have a float type limit switch, the float may be sticking in the off position inside the tank.
If you have a float type limit switch, the float may be sticking in the off position inside the tank.
#6
01-14-13, 03:00 AM
One thing to remember in freezing temps is the small 1/4" "pitot" tube from the switch to the pump lines is the first to go and the most important pipe in the system. If the water freezes in this small pipe, no signal will reach the switch to tell it to turn on. It is the most common wintertime call I get from little old ladies that don't have water early in the morning. I keep a hair dryer in the truck just for that remedy.
