Well Priming

dickfoster · Mar 15, 2016

speedbump said:
I wouldn't be surprised but they outlawed them in Michigan in the 60's for new construction. I'm sure there are still quite a few left. And I'm sure some are bootlegged in.

If you mean the jet pump, it's controls are the same as a submersible. Pump, pressure switch and storage tank. There are constant pressure pumps out there now too, but they still need a tank and a pressure transducer.

By pump do you mean another pump besides the jet pump in the well?

speedbump · Mar 15, 2016

By pump do you mean another pump besides the jet pump in the well?

I'm not sure what the questions is. The jet pump would be above ground. Submersible would be in the well. Putting a booster pump on along with the original pump wouldn't help at all, so there would only be one pump.

turnkey4099 · Mar 15, 2016

dickfoster said:
By pump do you mean another pump besides the jet pump in the well?

Jet pumps build pressure up to the residential use level...maybe higher, I don't know about that. Back in the day they were about the only thing available for deep wells - inefficient but they worked.

Harry K

Qapla · Mar 16, 2016

We live in Florida so freeze is not a problem. We have a submersible pump that has 4 wires going down to the pump with the control box mounted on a pole next to the pump. The well casing sticks above ground so no need for a pitiless. The pressure tank is next to the well as is a manifold that allows us to turn on/off individual pipe runs.

It is much less expensive to run the needed size power wire to the controller at the pump then it would be to run that much pump 4-wire feed wire.

It is also easier to feed the distribution manifold.

Therefore, for us, much more practical to have the controls at the well.

speedbump · Mar 16, 2016

We live in Florida so freeze is not a problem.

Same here.

Egon · Mar 16, 2016

speedbump said:
They outlawed well pits in Michigan years ago. I would rather lift the lid and go down in a well pit than have to dig the well up and work over a hole to repair on the well. That's when Pitless Adapters became popular and put an end to all that digging. Many people had well pits attached to their basement, but the hole in the wall was much bigger than the OP's. They were toastie in the winter too.

confined space with the possibility a gas displacing oxygen. Same as the garage pit.

turnkey4099 · Mar 16, 2016

Looks like a very good, well thought out system. Everything out in the oopen for easy access. I for sure would do it the same way if it weren't for freeze protection up here.

Harry K

Zerk · Mar 16, 2016

Egon said:
confined space with the possibility a gas displacing oxygen. Same as the garage pit.

The well pits I see are usually around 4x4 around 4-5 feet deep. I don't consider that a confined space. Not sure if OSHA would consider it not intended for continuous occupcy, but I don't have hole monitor when I go in.

Egon · Mar 17, 2016

Zerk said:
The well pits I see are usually around 4x4 around 4-5 feet deep. I don't consider that a confined space. Not sure if OSHA would consider it not intended for continuous occupcy, but I don't have hole monitor when I go in.

It would qualify. Pretty sure anyway. Haven't look at any spec sheets for many a year now.

jaotguy · Mar 20, 2016

just tap in another pressure tank to the system with a 1 way check valve and a manual on/ off valve to bypass the 1 way valve when the time comes ... keep the new valve closed and let the water fill the new tank thru the 1 way valve ....

part 2 ... install another on/ off valve to the bleed port and have it inside the house ...

result ... when you run out of water ( air lock ) ... simply open the new valve at the new tank full of pressurized water ... it will try to fill the well pipes ... then open the new bleeder valve to let the air out... the system will fill with water .... when full , turn the well pump back on and close the bleeder valve , then close the manual valve to the new pressure tank ...