No water, where to look?

[Lasgambler]

One more dumb quesiton...

Well tidbits...

Depth is 310 feet, ok, I get that

Static level 104' Is that to say if I drop a rock DOWN the hole, once the rock travels 104 feet from the TOP, I'll hit water? Or, does it mean if I go to the bottom, 310 feet down, that I have a 104' column of water above my head, such that the top of the water is really 206' down below my feet?

Static level is where the water is, or "was" when they drilled and filled out the well log. Terry

 

[EddieWalker]

... wire size is 12-4 ...

Can somebody explain this for me. I use 12-2 for 20 amp wiring, 120 volts. I use 12 -3 for three way switches of the same amps and volts.

What is 12 -4? What is the fourth wire for? How many amps at 220 volts is this rated for? Does the volts affect the wire size?

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Tig]

What is 12 -4? What is the fourth wire for? How many amps at 220 volts is this rated for? Does the volts affect the wire size?

Thanks,
Eddie

12-4 would be for 3 phase power. 3 hot and one neutral.
Wire size relates to current only. So 12-4 would be protected by a tripple 20 A breaker.
I've seen 3 phase power in industrial, farm and large computer systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_power

 

[kenacp]

12-4 is also used as:2 hot ,1 neutral,and a separate ground for 220vt,single phase. (Some new codes call for a separate ground)

 

[Tig]

Thanks kenacp. That would make more sense in the context of a well pump. Though I'm not sure what you mean by separate ground. My well pump used 12-3. The 4th (bare) wire was used as the ground.

 

[Matt_Jr]

As for pulling the well pump it's pretty easy. You'll need a piece of 1" threaded gas pipe with a "T" handle at the top. It screws down into the pit less connector inside your well. Wiggle it, just a little bit, and pull. I used a device made out of two wheel barrow wheels(pulleys) to guide the pipe up while pulling with my tractor so that the pipe didn't kink up. You'll need someone to watch the pipe as it comes up and another to guide the pipe around obstacles as you pull with your tractor. Once it's up replace the pump and the wiring, spread a little petroleum jelly on the o-ring on the connector, and drop the new pump back down in the the well. I've only done 2 and my second one took me about 1.5 hours (around 280 feet deep). It's easier than one would think. 3 guys and a 12 pack should do.

p.s. Don't forget the heat shrink with the new wire.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Forgot to mention, if you have mud on your pipe, cut the pipe about 10' above the line where the mud is on it. I learned all this from a guy that does this stuff for a livin'.

 

[CurlyDave]

I would not recommend pulling the pipe and the pump yourself. If you drop the pump back down the hole during this process you have to pull it back up by the wires, which may not be strong enough. This can get very expensive in a hurry.

How expensive? Less than $10k, but more than $5k.

Do not ask how I know this.

 

[MossRoad]

Do not ask how I know this.

I think we can all offer that advice on at least one experience in our life!

 

[The Dougster]

The static level is how far it is from land surface to the water level.... If you are in fire ant country, they are notorious for jamming up the pressure switch, another thing to check the next time this happens.. Okidokers?