Goulds or Meyers 1 HP Submersible Pump

[Carl_NH]

Currently we have a 1.5 HP 10GS15 2 Wire Goulds pump set at 360',(total depth 400') static water level varies from 85-150' depending on time of year (we have 14 zones irrigation). The well flow rate is 10GPM + and we have never ran out of water.

We had this well drilled in 97 and installed the original Goulds 10GS15 and this lasted unitl 2007 when the motor failed, so I replaced with a new pump/motor setup.

During usage with irrigation on, the pump cycles are 4-5 minutes on/off as it is pumping on average 12-13 GPM (have twin 42 Gal xTrol tanks in series) and I know the cycles are what kill the motors typically.

So my thought is to go with a 7GS10 (1 HP 7 GPM) which would run about 10 GPM at the average static water level, but still pump 6 GPM at 300' (never gets this low) thus staying on reducing the cycles. Is this a good idea?

The next choice is the pump - I can get the 1 HP Goulds 7GS10 for $740 or a Meyers Predator 8 GPM 1HP with the Pentek motor for $580. Both have similar flow rates at a given depth. Also I want to buy a new pump as a preemptive measure to have one on hand when this one fails.

I have one other option and that is buying a new 1.5HP Franklin motor for my old 10GS Pump for $400, but to me spending another $250-300 is worth it to have a new pump.

I am leaning towards the Goulds/Franklin setup due to history but the $160 delta to the Meyers/Pentek is considerable, so wanted to hear what you all thought about the pumps and motors as I have no history with the Pentek motors and also backing down to 1 HP/7 GPM pump setup.

Thanks in advance

Carl

 

[Damifino]

Before I would replace pump, adjust more outflow in your irrigation system to keep pump running, your right, short cycling is hard on the pump, since it is always in water, it is better to run consistley than cycle during your irrigation.

If you can add a few more heads to irrigation system, I would go that route myself, you can fine tune until you get pump to run continuously.

Also make sure the air in your tanks is set properly, with no water in tanks, check psi at snifter, should be 2lbs under cut in pressure, ie 40 psi when pump kicks on, you should have 38 psi in tanks.

 

[Kays Supply]

I put a pressure regulator on my submersibles. I adjust it to just under the cut off pressure while the pump is running. Then when the flow stops it builds up enough to shut it off. It will run as long as water is being used and not short cycle. You will probably need to pipe the relief valve back into the well if it builds enough pressure behind the regulator to blow it. This has worked for me for 30+ years.

 

[Carl_NH]

Thanks guys,

Each year I drain out the tanks and set the pressure @ 38 under the 40 cut in and change the large filter on the irrigation and small one to the house.

I like the idea of adding heads/merging some zones - I might double up some (10 heads) I did do that on two zones already (4- 3 and 4 head zones are now two 7 head zones) so I may merge more of the 5 head zones together and maybe can cut some heads out in some shady areas. The heads have 1 or 1.2 GPM nozzles so this should work fine.

The other question was Goulds vs Meyers and their Pentek motors? Any thoughts on the Meyers vs Goulds?

Thanks for your ideas and feedback.

Carl

 

[Damifino]

Carl,

Just setup your system until you have running continuously, keep a eye on gauge so you don't over tax the pump or pressure will suffer.

As far as Goulds vrs Meyers, that's like a Chevy vrs Ford vrs Dodge kinda issue, they have both been around a long time, my personal flavor and what I have in the hole is Goulds, it's a 33gpm 3hp and has done excellent for 15+ years now.

 

[Carl_NH]

Thanks Damifino,

Its real easy to double up zones and test run for say 15-20 minutes. We run the irrigation on alternate days for the current zones, (1-8 and 9-14) and most have 5 heads but there are two with 4 heads now so I will double up those with the first two in the cycle when the well static level is the highest then go from there. If it runs well on 9 heads say at 55 PSI (40-62 is current setting) it should do fine with 10 heads on a zone. Also it runs from 3:30 AM to 5:30 or 6 - before normal house use.

On the Goulds vs Meyers thats sort of my feeling too, Franklin/Goulds have been around for a long time and $150 is not that much over 10-15 years.

The other nice thing about your suggestion is if we do go to a 1 HP 7GS10 I can easily switch the irrigation back with a two minute swap of the solenoid wires. The overall goal is to lengthen the "on" time for the pump, as right now for house use it runs for 2 minutes to fill the two bladder tanks (about 30-32 gal total)

Re; Kays Supply reply - yes I sort of understand your suggestion, but the well head is 60' from the pressure tanks and running a return line would not be simple (thru a crawl space, then digging up the supply line and more) and I would rather tune the usage to the output..

Thanks a lot guys,

Carl

 

[tommu56]

I put a pressure regulator on my submersibles. I adjust it to just under the cut off pressure while the pump is running. Then when the flow stops it builds up enough to shut it off. It will run as long as water is being used and not short cycle. You will probably need to pipe the relief valve back into the well if it builds enough pressure behind the regulator to blow it. This has worked for me for 30+ years.

Regulator is a good suggestion or look at a constant pressure system by a reputable manufacture.