Another lightning strike another Well Control Box

[steve tym]

If the relay (the other component) in the control box has failed, it will keep the start winding engaged and the overload will trip. Sounds like you have a spare.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

The spare needs to be rebuilt. I’m at the hardware store now buying a new miltimeter because the fancy klein I bought is not working properly so I didn’t even have the ability to test the capacitor. I’m going back and test everything.

 

[RayIN]

This is why a successful lightning arrestor cannot be made:Lightning | Voltage, Causes, & Facts | Britannica

When I worked for Westinghouse Electric, at one time they tried to develop a successful home lightning arrester. I've no idea of how many designs were made, but that project was canned after about a year of failures. The shear force of lightning was simply too much to shunt to ground quickly enough to prevent damage.
It was supposed to fit into the entrance breaker panel, which would not have helped anyway with lightning traveling through the ground.
On the subject of lightning, this is an eye-opener.

Home Lightning Protection

Home lightning protection can help reduce the risk of lightning damage and help protect your home.

www.statefarm.com

 

[steve tym]

I tell my customers, lightning is this big (hold arms wide apart) while a lightning arrestor is this big (hold fingers close together).

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I thought I had something to brag about. I sat down with my multimeter and tested the start capacitor that I replaced this morning. 111.8. So that tests good. Then I tested the start and run capaciters on the original control box from several months ago and it both capaciters test good. But the relay shows nothing between 2 and 5. It should be 4500-7000 ohms

I had a spare. It tested at 5140 I installed that in the current control box. Turned on the power and. Nothing. At all. And something clicked but I don’t know what it was. I took it all apart again and checked the components. They test out fine And when assembled, it doesnt do any thing. The pump does not come on. There is voltage to the L1 L2 but almost no voltage to the pump. Overload buttons, start overload tests less than .5. Main overload shows OL.
The inside of the box says that the overload button should show lesss than .5. Could it be down to just the main overload button now?

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I think I fixed it. Came out to the kitchen, made myself a drink and sat down to watch more videos. R C Worst has an entire series about troubleshooting the control box and pump, specifically this brand of box so I watched the video that walks you thru how to test the components and when they got to the part about the overload button they mentioned having to push hard. I had pushed it a dozen times today, including when I would do it so we could flush toilets and even did it so my wife could take a shower. Then I read the comments and at least one person talked about how he had to really lean into the button to get a reset, so I went back in there and pushed it again and it reset. I flipped the breaker and it worked. I started counting and hot past 10 seconds, where the overload usually tripped but it didn’t this time. I measured voltage. 363 v to the pump. That falls in line with what I saw last time I replaced the pump control box.
So a new relay and in the process, the main OL button got stuck. I’m gonna order a spare relay. I already have 2 spare start capacitors and a run capacitor. I still have not resolved the underlying weakness that causes these things to pop. It sounds like lightning does crazy stuff is my answer but i’m gonna be looking at some remediation actions. Thank you everyone for the great suggestions and information. Much better than feeling like I am completely alone out here.

Here is the link for that RC worst video series.

Check out this video, "bad overload button on well box" https://share.google/wbWmD9fTn6MUeIb0x

 

[ponytug]

@WoodChuckDad Congratulations!

I hope that being firm with the reset button solves it for you.

All the best, Peter

 

[grsthegreat]

R.c.worst

Located in my town. They have helped solve many issues for me over the years. A fine bunch of people.

 

[grsthegreat]

Speaking of lightning. We had a whopper of a lightning storm come thru tonight. Got about 1.5” of badly needed rain and about 1.5 hours of constant lightning. Some were REAL CLOSE to me…..closer than i like. Glad it was raining real hard, as we dont need any more fires. We've had our share of fires this year. Never lost power.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

RC worst is where I ordered my submersible pump and they were very helpful in getting the properly sized control box and all the wire and everything else that I needed, back in 2021 when nobody else had pumps available.

I can relate on the needed rain. That storm dumped more than half an inch on us and the next week has more rain in the forecast. I am hoping it comes, just more gently.

Wife and daughter have already stress tested my work. The dishwasher was going at midnight and the laundry started around 5 am. Everything is holding steady.