Well Pump- Pressure/Flow switch?

[VinnieNC]

Hi Anojones,
We had the same situation for a sprinkler pump and here is what we did. On the output of the pump we "T"ed off the outlet and added a small 2.5 gallon or so tank. It has a pressurized bladder and a schrader valve to pressurize it. The directions tell you how much pressure to put in the bladder. The tank mounts "upside down" and sits atop the main outlet line.

We also added a regular shallow well pressure switch, like a 40/60. With the pump running and the valves open, the pump can not catch up to the demand, so the pressure switch is never satisfied and the pump continues to run.

In the event someone turns on the pump with the valves off and causes a dead head situation, the tank fills up, switch gets satisfied and shuts off the pump. See attachment. The pressure gauge is helpfull to monitor the performance of the pump and for tweaking the pressure switch.

If you have plans to use the pump for household use, you may consider using a slightly larger tank, such as a 10-20 gallon model to prevent short cycling when using water.

The small tank, pressure switch and fittings were less than $100 at the local home improvement store.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck.

-Vinnie

 

[moeh1]

I'll try and get a make and model for you this weekend.

 

[moeh1]

Also found this other idea http://www.deanbennett.com/pumptec-well-protection.htm

Might be an even easier way to go since there is no plumbling involved. The unit I have is plumbed in-line and I think it was only 1 inch or 1-1/4.

 

[moeh1]

Got the info on it, but it may not help. It is Sears branded, model is 390.272000. Still shows on the sears parts website, but not the catalog offerings.
It is described as
Sears Pump Guard
submersible low well water safety cut-off switch.

Best of Luck!

 

[anojones]

I found a closed auction on ebay for one- it does appear to be discontinued but looks like it would be easy to put into my system. Thanks for the info- I'll keep an eye out for one.

 

[GaryQWA]

Any plumbing or pump supply house (in your yellow pages) will have one for roughly $15-20.00. Lowe's etc. also have them. Square D makes them. It normally is called a low pressure safety cut-off pressure switch. They have a little handle on the side with the words, Auto, Off, Manual on the case. You hold it to Manual until the pressure is over 20-25 psi and then turn it to Auto and let go. If the pressure falls below 20 psi, the switch opens the contacts and shuts off the power to the pump. Then you don't get water until you reset the handle/switch. They work very well if a pump sucks air

Gary
Quality Water Associates

 

[anojones]

I acutally found one of these Sears discontinued low flow switches for $10- I think it will work well as it is 2" and my above ground line that I will plumb it into is 2". Now I just have to figure out how to wire it to the pump control (i'm no electrician, and it didn't come with a manual).

 

[anojones]

I acutally found one of these Sears discontinued low flow switches for $10- I think it will work well as it is 2" and my above ground line that I will plumb it into is 2". Now I just have to figure out how to wire it to the pump control (i'm no electrician, and it didn't come with a manual).

 

[moeh1]

Black wires go to the pump, red to your pressure switch or power if you don't have the switch. YOu can get a full manual cheap from Sears parts if you want all the other info.
Good Luck!

 

[moeh1]

Black wires go to the pump, red to your pressure switch or power if you don't have the switch. YOu can get a full manual cheap from Sears parts if you want all the other info.
Good Luck!