Well Pump Planing???

[dieselscout80]

I want to make plans for the replacement of my well pump (unknown age) and I'm trying to decide what pump to get. My well is 170' deep. Lowes website lists three 230 volt 1HP pumps that are 2 wire like my current pump (unkown HP and GPM) 10 gpm (max depth 350'), 18 gal (max depth 200') and 26 gpm (max depth 175').

Product Comparision Tool

Our house has 3 bath rooms (hopefully 4 in the future) and I'd like to run sprinklers off the pump too for the yard and maybe for a pasture if its really dry.

I think I should get the 26 gpm pump, but are there issues with a higher gallon per-minute pump?

 

[ace10]

What's the well producing in terms of GPM?

 

[troutsqueezer]

When you are taking into account the number of bathrooms, size of family and such, I think the size of your tank is the most important factor rather than the pump motor. If the tank is large, the motor need not be the most powerful.

For motor lifespan, the smaller the tank, the more your pump will kick on. The more the pump kicks on, the shorter the life span due to heating and cooling effects on the motor windings. A motor would be nearly as happy running full time as it would be not running at all. Turning on and shutting off is what kills it eventually.

If something like fire control enters the picture and you have fairly large diameter piping to some sort of fire hose in the event of a wildfire you would consider the largest pump size which is what I did.

 

[DaveOmak]

How many GPM does the well make? What is the depth to water?
As an example: If the well makes 20GPM and depth to water is 100', a 25GPM pump will run the well dry.
A 10 or 15 GPM would be the choice.

 

[mickish]

I want to make plans for the replacement of my well pump (unknown age) and I'm trying to decide what pump to get. My well is 170' deep. Lowes website lists three 230 volt 1HP pumps that are 2 wire like my current pump (unkown HP and GPM) 10 gpm (max depth 350'), 18 gal (max depth 200') and 26 gpm (max depth 175').

Product Comparision Tool

Our house has 3 bath rooms (hopefully 4 in the future) and I'd like to run sprinklers off the pump too for the yard and maybe for a pasture if its really dry.

I think I should get the 26 gpm pump, but are there issues with a higher gallon per-minute pump?

get a 50gpm at a plumbing supply

 

[dieselscout80]

How many GPM does the well make? What is the depth to water?
As an example: If the well makes 20GPM and depth to water is 100', a 25GPM pump will run the well dry.
A 10 or 15 GPM would be the choice.

I was told that when drilled the well tested at more than 160 gals per-minute. I'm not sure of the depth to the water. I've only owned the place abit longer than a year.

 

[dieselscout80]

get a 50gpm at a plumbing supply

Do they make a 50 gpm pump with 2 wire setup?

 

[DaveOmak]

Diesel scout, If you measure the "depth to water", that will provide a more accurate GPM delivery rate for the pump.

One scenario would be to provide 10 GPM to the biggest pressure tank you could find. As previously mentioned, cycling of a pump is not good. That would provide the house with "more than adequate" water supply.

Second. For the irrigation/fire supression system.
Install the biggest storage tank/cistern practical. You could fill it when house demand was low. Learn the flow rate of the sprinklers you want to install. ie: 10 sprinklers at 1.5 GPM = 15 GPM/60PSI. Fire hose nozzle 1/4"@ 60 PSI~12 GPM.
You might install a 20 GPM pump on the storage tank for these applications w/60 PSI relief valve or return line to the tank.
Lots to consider. If you have a farming/irrigation supply store, they would be a good source for info.

 

[pontiacman]

I don't believe they have a two wire available, but we installed a pump with a VFD, and it is very nice. The supply in not cyclic at all. We run a irrigation system the lawn, and a tree belt and there is no noticeable difference in pressure at either the shop or house when they are running.

 

[jonyyuma]

I see no mention of a pressure tank? Size of drill casing? Size of pipe down to connect said pump?Be certain the wiring is correct to the motor.

 

[dieselscout80]

I see no mention of a pressure tank? Size of drill casing? Size of pipe down to connect said pump?Be certain the wiring is correct to the motor.

This is my pressure tank.
Shop WellSaver 25-Gallon Pressure Tank at Lowes.com

I'll have to measure the casing.

The pipe coming out is 1.25" or 1" not sure.

It currently is pumping fine just trying to be prepared and to accout for future irrigation needs.

 

[dieselscout80]

Here are some pics of the well from when I replaced the pressure tank.

 

[E/S]

In the first picture, what does the well tag say?
E/S

 

[jonyyuma]

Here are some pics of the well from when I replaced the pressure tank.

Your electrical connectors sure look rough, make sure none of them are loose or close to touching. Bugs love to get on top and mess up the contact, don't leave any openings on switch, ahla ducttape...

 

[Kays Supply]

Years ago Jacuzzi had an Aqua Genie system that ran as long as water was used. It used a 1 gal tank. It was the state of the art back then. It didn't cycle at all. Today I have to use a pressure regulator to make my own version. It works very well. Also there is a great difference between a Lowes pump and a name brand, Gould , Jacuzzi , etc. They cost more but they are made of brass and SS parts where the cheaper models are plastic and not repairable. Also a 3 wire pump has parts above ground that can be repaired where the two wire has to be pulled and the motor replaced. My 2 cents worth.

 

[dieselscout80]

In the first picture, what does the well tag say?
E/S

Well it's a bit different than what I remembered being told, but I've been known to get facts turned around.

The tag states:

1. Date - hard to read (house was built in 1990)
2. Depth - 150
3. Casing depth -130
4. Diameter - 6
5. Screen Interval - blank to blank
6. Gravel Depth - looks like 0.2 (may just be zero) to 20
7. Static water Level 30
8. Yield - 50 GPM

 

[E/S]

With that info, now you can size the pump. To run your house you can do just fine on 10 gpm. If you are going to irrigate, pond, ect. you can run the 26 gpm pump.
How much you run depend on $, at higher gpm you need more storage, electrical and probably larger pipe.
How big is the power source for your existing pump?
E/S

 

[ace10]

I'd sell one of my dogs for 50 GPM. kidding.

But seriously, that is amazing production. I'm going to have to sink a second well (mnay X deeper than that) just to have 10 GPM combined.

 

[dieselscout80]

What does the static water level of 30 mean?

Does itmean the number of feet of water in the well when not pumping?

 

[dieselscout80]

Well the internet has a wealth of data.

ODNR FS 01-62 Understanding Your Water Well