| | Problem with my Pump/WellPage 1 of 1 | I live in the country and had a new pump installed about 8 years ago.
The pump is inside my house, and looks like one of those pool pumps.
It pumps in the water, and then stores it in a tank.
In the last 2 weeks it has stopped pumping.
I go into the room, turn off the pump with the switch on the wall,
and then turn it back on again.
It starts to work.
Once I had to leave it for about 3 hours before I could turn it on again.
Yesterday, it stopped again.
I looked at the pressure on the pump and it was fine.
After a while, it started up, (after I turned the switch on and off).
This is such a pain in the ass.
Especially when I run out of water.
Could someone tell me if it is the pump (which doesn't make sense),
Or am I looking at an electrical problem?
Is the wiring to the pump the issue?
I have to call someone in to fix this, but I want to sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Thanks for your help guys. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/20/2012 12:51:55 PM | Not easy to diagnose without seeing it/testing a few things.
But from what you posted it might be a worn-out pressure sensor/switch or a corroded electrical connection inside the control relay. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/20/2012 1:40:21 PM | Thanks TALL.
That doesn't sound too serious, and can easily be replaced.
Hmmm ... just need to get a man to do it. lol | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/20/2012 2:07:52 PM | I am a plumber and I would start with th pressure swith as
Tall has mentioned. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/20/2012 8:04:59 PM | Knight ... I live on peat, EVERYTHING is consistently wet.
Thanks for the input Worbug.
If this is the problem , would this just require a new pressure switch, or an entire new pump? | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/21/2012 8:12:03 AM | If the switch is the problem, you can buy just the pressure's switch.
You ca usually buy one at your local home center like Home Depot, Menards, Lowds, rtc. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/21/2012 7:54:57 PM | You don't mention if you have a pressure switch on your system or not. From your discription, it sounds like your wall switch is wired directly to the pump, eliminating the pressure switch.
Pump motors have a start winding (high amperage to initiate the rotation of the armature) and a run winding (lower amps to keep the pump running.
When you turn on the wall switch do you hear a "click" from the pump?
It's harder on the motor if you have to consistantly turn it on and off. A larger holding/pressure tank would lessen the number of on /off cycles.
Let us know.
Good luck. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/21/2012 8:16:19 PM | Your initial post is a bit confusing and needs clarification.
Does your system normally operate completely on it's own? As in, You don't have to do anything other than simply OPEN facets, fixtures, spigots etc.???? If this is the case you have a pressure switch somewhere that YOU might be able to replace yourself if you have any technical skills at all. Do you still have the manual/literature that came with it which would/should show WHERE the switch is located? If not, find the model number on it and Google it. A pressure switch should be less than 10 bucks I would think unless your particular unit is no longer made.
Another slight possibility is a capacitor or capacitors going bad. Again, consult ^^^
Also, as others have already mentioned, it might be nothing more than a loose or corroded connection that YOU can easily check for, just make sure that you "kill" the correct breaker for your pump before opening any electrical boxes. It is not uncommon for wire nuts to work their way loose if not taped. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/21/2012 10:33:38 PM | More than likley its the pressure switch. I think, by what you said, that you had to wait for sometime to restart it your switch is not turning pump off. If thats the case when it does run your pressure at faucet should be higher than normal. You also have a gauge (more than likely). Read it.
When your pump does shut off, it's the overload switch on the pump turning it off. When pump cools and on power interruption its resets. When you turn switch on it starts to run again. Eventually this will kill the motor.
This is easy to check. When the tank builds pressure it should shut off within a few minutes. If it doesn't then pressure switch is not doing its job. I'm assuming it a precharged tank.
Few other things can be checked. The tank bladder needs to be charged with air from time to time. At least bi-annually. If the bladder is busted, you will need a replacement or new tank.
Now be a good girl and when you get it working right again, follow up and post what the problem was, and what fixed it. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/22/2012 9:07:50 AM | hbon ...
I do have a wall switch, so does that mean I don't have a pressure switch?
Sometimes the wall switch does click, sometimes it doesn't.
My holding/pressure tank is a 42 gallon Flotec Pre-charged Tank.
SLAFFA ...
The system was upgraded (8 years ago) with a new tank and pump.
It operates completely on it's own.
As for doing it on my own ... there are many things that I will do,
as I own a 10 acre plot of land in the country, but this one is outside of my comfort zone.
Robin-hood ...
My gauge is sitting at 40 pounds per inch.
A few times the pump just stops and then the tank empties.
When I turn the switch on and off, it will start to refill.
I will check the tank next time it does that.
My neighbour (a plumber) put it in for me 8 years ago.
He JUST moved last weekend and is very busy, so getting him to come over may be difficult.
He has other priorities right now, as he's rebuilding the new home.
I will contact him again next weekend and see if he can come take a look.
In the mean time I will monitor what is happening.
This just started in the last month.
I was washing my car last week and the water just cut out.
I presume the tank ran dry.
Man ... it's always something on a farm.
This is when a wonderful handy man would be so helpful.
I so appreciate your help gentlemen, and I will keep you posted.
It may be a week or 2. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/22/2012 10:42:44 AM | OP: I'm sending you a handy man..........he'll be the one at your door wearing a cowboy hat and a speedo.
If he's wearing a patch on his eye though......he's an imposter and you should slam the door. :)
Have you ever tried "Angie's List for personal recommendations on local people (whose trades run the gamut)? I found a contractor that way..........well worth the $25.00 annual fee. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/22/2012 11:25:54 AM | Thanks organic ...
I have a list of clients that I can call, but I prefer to go back to Brad (the plumber) who installed the system.
I'm sure he'd figure it out in no time.
Just he's so damn busy, that I want to wait until he's got some time.
With that being said ...
my son's buddy's Dad who lives around the corner just called and offered to come over and look at it.
Which is nice of him.
The only problem is he keeps asking if I'll be naked.
Why do men have to do this!
Awkward, awkward, awkward situation.
How about lets just help a neighbour because you are a good neighbour. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/22/2012 1:00:35 PM | ok...you have a pressure tank and a pressure switch.
Switches, load protectors, capacitors, brushes/armatures and foot valves are some of the things to look at when trouble shooting...not necessarily in that order. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/22/2012 1:05:59 PM | Had someone open it up and use sandpaper and then acetone on the contacts.
They are working now.
However he did suggest that I buy a new switch when I'm out.
I will do that this week and ask him to replace it for me.
You men are helpful. ;0) | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/28/2012 3:32:13 PM | | u sound like ur wining? one of those women who cant do anything for herself needy get a grip woman!!!!!! | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/29/2012 11:45:27 AM | ^^^^She was asking for advice, perfectly politely, in an area of home maintenance she has no knowledge of. That does not make her needy - I finished my entire basement alone from the stud walls to the paint - but I still got someone in to do the electrics (Thanks Dad xx). Does that make me needy too ?
You are so far off with your comments to this lady - who has achieved far more then many others. She is also a well respected member of these forums who would not shoot someone down in the manner in which you just have.
I've just read your other thread where you are complaining about those who don't have something relevant to contribute and asking that they keep quiet. I would suggest you take some of the advice yourself. You have a lot to learn and manners should be near the top of that 'to work on' list. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/29/2012 12:05:30 PM |
u sound like ur wining? one of those women who cant do anything for herself needy get a grip woman!!!!!
She is angry that her thread got deleted and that not everyone agrees with her. She asks for nice manners, then shows she is not capable of showing any herself. To boot, because she cannot email me, she followed me to my local forums to be a pest. A normal day in the forums. LOL!! | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/29/2012 12:15:45 PM | The best answer to the OP's question is simple.........
Just do as Charlie Harper used to advocate:
"Just call the guy.........."
Paul K | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/29/2012 12:27:32 PM | | i deleted the other post shame before you spouted you didnt get your facts straight no i dont have family to rely on i can see how you have been brought up no respect obviously dont dish it if you cant take it . | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/29/2012 12:40:56 PM |
i deleted the other post shame before you spouted you didnt get your facts straight no i dont have family to rely on i can see how you have been brought up no respect obviously dont dish it if you cant take it .
Take your own advice. Im not followiing YOU around and posting about you...you are following me around, and everyone can see it pretty clearly. | |
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| Problem with my Pump/Well
Posted: 5/29/2012 2:09:47 PM | Now this is too funny!
lonelyangel ... did people piss you off?
Maybe I was one of the ones who called you a whiner?
Such is life.
As I say to my son...
"Life isn't fair, so get used to it".
As for the well/pump situation, all is working smoothly now.
My buddy suggested that I pick up a new switch, but when I went to Home Depot,
they had 3 different models to choose from.
So I chose none.
My buddy called this morning and said not to buy one yet.
Wait until it's broke, then get a new one.
As for lonelyangel ...
one of those women who cant do anything for herself needy get a grip woman!!!!!!
Let's see, I have taken care of this home (on my own) for the last 10 years.
Want to come see what I have done on my own?
I think your face would fall off in disbelief.
As for asking a man's advice on something that I am not 100% sure off.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.
In fact I think smart people ask for advice.
Enough said. | |
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