A some of the time well problem.
#1
07-17-13, 08:39 PM
A some of the time well problem.
Having problems with our well pump, about 6 months ago, we had no water one day, Had a blown fuse. Replaced the fuse, worked fine for a few months.
About 3 months ago my wife did two loads of laundry back to back, and the fuse blew again. I replaced with a slightly larger fuse (i know).
Now this last weekend, my wife did two laundry loads back to back and that fuse blew again, so now I'm trying to pay attention to the pump, and I realize that when it starts, it seems to fill fine, get plenty of pressure, cuts in and out at the right points, but occasionally, especially if its had to kick on a few times in a short period, it will try to start, but can't seem to kick over. It'll try a few times and eventually it gets there. Usually when it does this, I shut the pump off and let it rest for 5 minutes, when I flip the switch back on, it usually fills right away.
Well guy says we need to replace the pump. Father in law says, pumps either work or they don't so it's something else, says maybe I need to clean out a sand/grit trap? I thought maybe it sounded like an electrical problem, capacitor maybe?
Any ideas?
About 3 months ago my wife did two loads of laundry back to back, and the fuse blew again. I replaced with a slightly larger fuse (i know).
Now this last weekend, my wife did two laundry loads back to back and that fuse blew again, so now I'm trying to pay attention to the pump, and I realize that when it starts, it seems to fill fine, get plenty of pressure, cuts in and out at the right points, but occasionally, especially if its had to kick on a few times in a short period, it will try to start, but can't seem to kick over. It'll try a few times and eventually it gets there. Usually when it does this, I shut the pump off and let it rest for 5 minutes, when I flip the switch back on, it usually fills right away.
Well guy says we need to replace the pump. Father in law says, pumps either work or they don't so it's something else, says maybe I need to clean out a sand/grit trap? I thought maybe it sounded like an electrical problem, capacitor maybe?
Any ideas?
#2
07-17-13, 10:00 PM
Group Moderator
It's possible that it's a starting capacitor. Do you a control box that is wired between the pressure switch and the pump ? If not......you may not have any replaceable caps and the pump may have to be pulled.
Do you have any info on the pump ?
Do you have any info on the pump ?
#3
07-18-13, 05:03 AM
Group Moderator
First, go back and put in the proper size fuse. The bigger fuse may be more resistant to blowing but it can be allowing your wiring to be overloaded which at any weak spots can become hot enough to catch fire. It's better to replace a fuse when it blows than burn the house down.
I would also check the air pressure in your pressure tank. If it's not set properly the pump may cycle on and off more frequently exasperating the problem. Turn off the breaker and open a faucet until the water flow stops. Then check the air pressure in the tank. It should be 2-3 psi less than the cut in (turn on) pressure of the pump.
I would also check the air pressure in your pressure tank. If it's not set properly the pump may cycle on and off more frequently exasperating the problem. Turn off the breaker and open a faucet until the water flow stops. Then check the air pressure in the tank. It should be 2-3 psi less than the cut in (turn on) pressure of the pump.
#4
07-18-13, 06:19 AM
Super Moderator
CAUTION.... Working with high voltage.. You can be injured or killedTest your motor/pump...
TESTING SUBMERSIBLE PUMP MOTORS
Test your control..
TESTING SUBMERSIBLE PUMP CONTROL BOX
Without doing this you are only guessing...
Father in law says, pumps either work or they don't so it's something else,
#5
07-20-13, 11:16 AM
7/20 Update:
So, I emptied all the water out of the system, checked the air pressure on the tank, it was under 5. So, I refilled the tank to 28psi, cut the pump on and it clicked on like a dream, sounded nice and quiet (has been rattley for years).
Did some dishes used up some water, it kicked on, sounded good. Then I took a shower and it tried to kick on again and it failed and sounded rattiley again. I shut the system down, emptied the water and checked the pressure in the tank.
It was at about 25 now. I refilled it to 28. Turned the pump on and it sounded great.
Is losing 3 psi in that short time indication of a leak in the tank or is that reasonable loss due to startup or whatever? Does the fact that it sounds good when its full indication that if I replace it that possibly the pump is okay?
So, I emptied all the water out of the system, checked the air pressure on the tank, it was under 5. So, I refilled the tank to 28psi, cut the pump on and it clicked on like a dream, sounded nice and quiet (has been rattley for years).
Did some dishes used up some water, it kicked on, sounded good. Then I took a shower and it tried to kick on again and it failed and sounded rattiley again. I shut the system down, emptied the water and checked the pressure in the tank.
It was at about 25 now. I refilled it to 28. Turned the pump on and it sounded great.
Is losing 3 psi in that short time indication of a leak in the tank or is that reasonable loss due to startup or whatever? Does the fact that it sounds good when its full indication that if I replace it that possibly the pump is okay?
#6
07-20-13, 05:31 PM
Group Moderator
The tank's job is to store some water under pressure so that when you only need a small amount of water it can supply it without the pump running.
It was recommended to check the tank pressure so that the pump didn't short cycle. That is not your problem now. You have a pump issue. Either you have a well control box in your basement or you don't.
If there is a well control box then it can be serviced. If there is no well control box you are probably going to need to pull the pump.
When we service pumps and fans we connect an ammeter to see what the unit is drawing. This tells us a lot about the motor itself. If you don't have a clamp on ammeter then you'll probably need to call for service. If it is a motor issue like it sounds like.....it will only get worse.
It was recommended to check the tank pressure so that the pump didn't short cycle. That is not your problem now. You have a pump issue. Either you have a well control box in your basement or you don't.
If there is a well control box then it can be serviced. If there is no well control box you are probably going to need to pull the pump.
When we service pumps and fans we connect an ammeter to see what the unit is drawing. This tells us a lot about the motor itself. If you don't have a clamp on ammeter then you'll probably need to call for service. If it is a motor issue like it sounds like.....it will only get worse.
#7
07-22-13, 01:52 PM
Just had the well guy out, he quoted me at $1800 to replace all the pipe drop a VFD pump down there . Said the windings on the motor are starting to go bad. Said it was fine to leave the 15amp fuses in there and just let the thing wear itself out.
Seem like a fair price?
Seem like a fair price?
#8
07-22-13, 06:18 PM
Group Moderator
A VFD pump ??? variable frequency drive ??
Can't comment much on the price. Only way to know if it's fair is to call another company. Prices vary widely by area based on local labor costs.
Can't comment much on the price. Only way to know if it's fair is to call another company. Prices vary widely by area based on local labor costs.
