Water well pump

Linho

Does anyone know anything about pumps and wells? We have had a problem with our well for the last 6 months. But when started in May we eventually discovered that well had gone dry. Same prob has started again but seems to be water in the well this time. (Had about a month mid-aug when ok)The pump keeps tripping out. When button pressed up at the well the water will come back again but could be gone again the following day. We've had plumber look at it but they not sure what it is. Would it be an electrical fault or could the water be low and therefore causing the pump to trip out?

The Hill Billy

Not relevant to East forum. Moved to Plumbing & Heating.

HB

kscobie

it sounds like 1 of 2 things, either, and most probable, like an electrical short, or else you have a saftey cut out wired in which prevents the pump kicking in if the water level drops in the well. Is the pump just for the house or are you using a lot of water eg stables/farm etc.

cabledude

I had a problem with my pump tripping out last weekend.( even posted on boards to seek help).

Problems similar to yours in that the pump was tripping out, I would reset it, pump worked again for a little while and then cut out again. Very frustrating. I called out an sparks friend and he checked all wiring etc and told me that there was power getting down to the pump in the well.

So I called out the lad who installed the well in the first place and he changer the capacitor in the pump control box. Problem solved now working perfectly.....


Just as a matter of interest, when the pump cuts out is it tripping the reset switch in the control box outside or is it tripping your RCB (trip switch) in your garage/house.

Linho

Hi. Thanks.
It's just tripping the reset switch out at the well. Little black button. We thought it was iron build up cos cleaned something to do with pressure switch and didn't go for few days but gone again twice today. Usually push that reset button couple of times and it comes back but this eve took ages for it to kick back in.
You reckon it could be the capacitor then?
How much does a replacement cost...not that it matters if needs to be replaced!

cabledude

Well its hard to tell what the actual problem is but it sounds pretty similar to my complaints and replacing the capacitor did the trick for me. €20 is all they should set you back.. Anyone with a basic knowledge of electrics will be able to change it out. BTW have you check all the wiring inside the box? Might be a good idea to have a quick look to make sure there are no loose connections before you call someone out and look like a tool....:eek:

kentucky2010

Hi Linho, I have the same problem I think. Was away at the weekend and noticed i'd no water in cold taps yesterday. So I hit the re-set switch (little black one) yesterday and the pressure came back up and water to the taps. I noticed it then this evening that there is no pressure to the pump again, power is still coming to it but the re-set button is not working. Will i need to get someone out to look at it. No knowledge of electrics or pumps if anything other than hitting re-set buttons? Only have pump in a year since I built, should it go so early on? I had it taken off the rcd back in the summer as it was tripping the power to the garage.

kentucky2010

How I wish it was the capacitator!!! The motor was burnt out, pump had to be hauled out of the well, all 420ft and think the fact that it was tripping back in July was a hint something was up. It was taken off the meter board back in July so if it tripped, it didn't knock out that whole meter board. So now 500e but am pleading with installer to re-think, in since May 2009, only one in house, no supply to farm or stables so we'll see. Rule: Something wrong, if something trips!