Need help with well pump project

[woodlandfarms]

So we went on city water a few years ago and were required to abandon our old well. But I made sure I saved the pump (it was fairly new). I now have a use for it (pumping water out of a pond) but I am unsure of wiring. My hope is that I do not need all the complicated control panels as I have them, but they are now buried behind shelving.

The pump is a gould 4" submersible model # 10LS05412. Wire colors are Red Black Green and Yellow. I intend to run this off my 5K generator which as 220. But now I am stumped. Green appears to be ground as it is thinner (and the color would be correct) but I am unsure of the other colors.

Anyone have any advice they can impart. I have struck out on the net other than tech specs that are over my head.

 

[Iowachild]

Well, yeah you are going to need the stuff that is buried behind the shelving. What you have is a 3-wire system that utilizes a control box to house the capacitors and relay, rather than having them in the submersible pump itself. I have attached a drawing which shows how it is hooked up. Hope this helps.

 

[FourSonsFarm]

I think you're going to need the control box. It has a start and run capacitor inside of it that you will need.

-Joey

 

[Scooby074]

Iowa has it covered. Control box is likely required.

But Im curious as to why you went off your well? Im on a well, and although I could go onto city water, I wont. They're frequently raising rates, and I want to be in control of my own source of water. If I want to run the sprinkler for hours, all it costs me is power!

 

[woodlandfarms]

Darnit. So, help me with this, I understand the cap gives an extra boost to the pump motor to get it rotating. Is it necessary? Or, How necessary is it? Can the pump start and run without the cap?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Iowa has it covered. Control box is likely required.

But Im curious as to why you went off your well? Im on a well, and although I could go onto city water, I wont. They're frequently raising rates, and I want to be in control of my own source of water. If I want to run the sprinkler for hours, all it costs me is power!

We have a bad deal with Arsenic in the water. While our house did not have the issue, our well was very shallow and we ran out of water in the summer. We were also told that a better loan would hinge on water. So, we consulted with the local drillers and they said while they would find water lower, they could not guarantee the quality given the issues we are surrounded with. Also, the city made an offer that was hard to beat (compared to drilling a new well).

Saddly the City changed the prices and our deal ended up not being much of a deal in the end. We are now working with the city and our attorneys to resolve (an entire community was ambushed)

 

[CliffordK]

There are shallow and deep well pumps. Since yours was a shallow well pump, it will probably be OK. However, many people pumping out of ponds will have the pump located on dry land, and only a hose & foot in the pond.

Nonetheless, your pump should work, but I'd make sure the intake doesn't sink down into the silt.

How much water are you planning to pump?

With a generator? Not running power from the house?

I'm pumping a bit under 1 GPM out of my spring with a small 12V pump. For now, I'm using a battery charger with extension cords, but soon it will have a solar panel installed.

If you need a LOT of water, you're better off with a gasoline pump, rather than a gas generator and electric pump.

 

[Larry Jones]

Darnit. So, help me with this, I understand the cap gives an extra boost to the pump motor to get it rotating. Is it necessary? Or, How necessary is it? Can the pump start and run without the cap?

You are likely to burn the motor up with out the cap.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Is that because the motor will overheat trying to get up to speed? I am just trying to get the theory down to see how far Ican push and what I need to be careful on. It is a $500 pump motor and I would be bummed to kill it, but by the same standard, It is pumping 7 feet vertical and across a dirt road into a ravine. Maybe 20 feet total with 7 of it vertical.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Also, back to the wires. I see in the diagram Red, Black and Yellow. So, what are the hots and what is nuetral. It has it all running into a switch box with no explanation.