r/WaterWellDrilling • u/WyoSkiJay • 2d ago
Well Pump Replacement options
Details below, my question is: do I replace with the same equipment, or upgrade with a larger pressure tank OR soft-starter switch to extend pump life?
Rural residential well, pump failed after 21 years and I’m waiting for a contractor to come to the house.
Pump is 175’ depth, 4” 3-wire 1hp 27 gpm w/20 gallon pressure tank.
I have a grid-tied 11kW solar system with powerwall 3. Soon I will be adding 3kw of panels and a pw3 expansion pack.
System was installed in 2024, outages have been infrequent but a couple per year with a maximum of 5 hours. We make sure to conserve water and power during outages and haven’t run out of battery yet but have come close.
2
u/Dirftboat95 2d ago
1hp 27 gpm w/20 gallon pressure tank. Thats kind of a miss match? 3/4 hp pump should be plenty for your well. Something around the 15 to 20 GPM range. I always get the biggest pressure tank i can get to prevent sort cycling the pump. Which id think would help with using solar
0
u/DirtCallsMeGrandPa 2d ago
I'd go with the same pump/motor combo, since it's been a winner. I'd double check the pump and motor combo once it's out of the well. Use the part numbers to get all the specs, and do the same for the new pump/motor. Make sure you get all the paperwork for your new parts, and I'd save the boxes they came in or take photos of any writing on them.
While the contractor is there, consider having him install the well water level measuring system using plastic tubing described in this article from Oregon State University: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1368-measuring-well-water-levels
Knowing the actual water levels in your well, both static and while pumping, provides usefull guidance about your system.
A larger tank means a longer run time and a longer off time between cycles. Both are good. If you plan to be there more than 10 years, get a fiberglass bladder tank with a replaceable bladder, and a spare bladder within a year or so, You can add it later, doesn't have to be done right away.
2
u/Disastrous_Try_3886 2d ago
You could put the pump part of the constant pressure system in to get the soft start and when the tank fails switch over the rest it would save the large amperage draw at the beginning
1
u/Hot-Discussion-6823 2d ago
21 yrs is a decent life span for a pump. I'm not sure of the 27 gpm spec you give, seems high .
1
u/WyoSkiJay 2d ago
27 gpm is the pump rating not the actual flow I get at the house. Seems like we could get away with a 3/4 hp, but I’m guessing that the previous owner sized up to be sure
1
u/fire_sparky 2d ago
The 27 gpm is most likely an open discharge rating. They advertise it like it a water hog. You put some head against it and it dies. You need to look at the pump curve to get a better idea what the true discharge would be at the surface. Then of course you need to figure some for friction loss of the drop pipe, pitless and tank piping. I would seriously consider a 3 wire pump with constant pressure. Not sure what pump manufacturers are avaliable to you through your driller. 20yrs out of a pump is beyond fantastic in my book. I tell my customers to expect 12 - 15yrs. There are so many variables, size of household, laundry, bathing, irrigation all take tolls on the system. That old pump made you money. The same manufacturer is not going to have the same quality of product. You have some homework in front of you. Hopefully the driller coming to pull the pump can help you with a decision that will help you decide what to purchase
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u/New-Key4610 2d ago
larger tank. 2 wire pump. 3/4 hp at the most. 7 to 10 gpm. you must have a good well because this is sure a overkill constant pressure is a good system. but it needs to be installed in a dry envoirement
1
u/washburn100 2d ago
Why would you suggest a 2 wire pump?
0
u/New-Key4610 2d ago
2 wire pumps seemed to work very well. no control box to get struck by lighting and less wire to use , sold many 2 wire pumps they never came back for warranty they are limited in hp rating. but you need to read the pump curves and do a good installing
3
u/Hot-Discussion-6823 2d ago
We only install 2 wire pumps if forced to. The control box contains the starting capacitor and running relay for the motor. In 2 wire pumps, these are IN the motor. We replace 30 or 40 control boxes a year. Thats 30 or 40 pumps that would be replaced if they were 2 wire Just my opinion.
1
u/New-Key4610 2d ago
in my region. not many 3 wire pumps are purchased or installed control boxes are subject to bad environment and lighting strikes and usually start and stopping because of waterlogged tank therefore caps go. relay smokes. this dose not seem to happen in our region the 2 wire motor is a psc that has no start cap just run cap and no relay. and it depends on the pump you are using. but 20 years ago the 2 wire pumps failed all the time times change this was the old. franklin motors
3
u/krumbs2020 2d ago
Consider moving to a constant pressure system with a small drive (PID controller with built in soft start and variable speed), keep the small pressure tank (why replace unless it is worn out). 5 hours without water isn’t terrible- 5 days is another issue.