Submersible well pumps.

[jsbush]

I'm converting my well system from a 1/2hp jet pump to a 3/4hp submersible pump.

My well is 65' deep and about 50' away from the tank.


Two types of submersible pumps are available. One is a two wire model which doesn't require a control box. The other pump is a three wire pump that requires a control box.


Anyone know the advantages of the two?

 

[RiverDog]

I did this work for about 10 years and I always liked the two wire. The real difference is just the capicator and relay is located in the two wire motor and not mounted on a wall. The water keeps the statrting components cooler as well. There is a cost difference for the wire. Either one will last the same amount of time so no real advantage there. A 65' well only needs a 1/2 horse pump. The pumps are rated by the amount of water they discharge, the horsepower allows deeper operation. Unless your using this for other purposes, save the money on the horsepower. You won't get any more water then the GPM it's rated at.

 

[Minerva]

good info here on installation including the pitless adapter

 

[RiverDog]

Excellent Article!! One more thing I would recommend is pouring a gallon of pure bleach down the well, let it set about 30 minutes and pump it out of the top of the pitless. This will kill any bacteria. I do this to my well every year.

 

[jsbush]

Thanks for the great info!


Reason why I was going to go with a 3/4hp is the price difference is only $10. Should I still stick with a 1/2hp?

 

[RiverDog]

For that little difference I'd go with the 3/4 HP. Reason being, if you should need to go deeper that pump will work down 300 feet or more. Amperage draw will be slightly higher but no enough to make much difference on the electric bill. The only execption to the article is the pipe. I always used 160# test. It isn't the pressure but the wall thickness, the heaver wall gives better protection to rock pentration.

 

[jsbush]

They say to use a pitless adapter??. My well is currently 6 foot in the ground with a steal cap and two pipes with 90degree elbows going into the basement, then to the jet pump. I was thinking I would condemn one pipe, and use the other for the submersible pump, but how would I get the water from going back down into the well?

 

[RiverDog]

When you remove the jet pump just run the single pipe from the outlet of the jet to the pressure tank. You need a tan tee to put the pressure switch on. If you need to buy a new one I'd get one with a low water cutoff (Square D type M-4) that way if the well goes dry or a pile breaks underground you won't burn up the pump. If you're not using the pitless adapter then all you need to do is just connect it as planned.

 

[jsbush]

Originally posted by: RiverDog
When you remove the jet pump just run the single pipe from the outlet of the jet to the pressure tank. You need a tan tee to put the pressure switch on. If you need to buy a new one I'd get one with a low water cutoff (Square D type M-4) that way if the well goes dry or a pile breaks underground you won't burn up the pump. If you're not using the pitless adapter then all you need to do is just connect it as planned.

Thanks for all the advice!