What brand of well pump to buy?

[jeffgreef]

Hi folks, looking for a little advice here from those of you with wells on your property.

Next week a driller will be on my site and will start drilling a well. I plan to install the pump, wire and pipe myself. So I've been surfing the web looking at pump options. There are a lot of brands- hard to choose. I'd like your experience and insight on what pump brand to buy.

Judging from my neighbors, I'll probably have a static level at 250-300 feet, then another 50-60 to get up into my 2500 gal storage tank (no pressure tank) so I'm looking at a 5 or 7 gpm pump, 3/4 to 1 horsepower in all likelihood. Probably not a lot of sand in the well for the pump to deal with. Hoping for at least a 10gpm draw rate at the well.

I plan to use a standard 230v AC 3 wire powered off a generator to top off the tank, probably 3-4 times a year. Vacation cabin.

I want to get a higher quality pump that will stand the best chance of lasting a very long time. So, thus far, it seems like Goulds is a good choice. Aqua Science sells them, and a 7gpm 3/4 horse 3 wire with controller from them is about $630. Sound like a good deal? Anyone dealt with Aqua Science before?

I've heard some people say they are dissatisfied with Grundfos 4" pumps. Any experience with them?

Flint and Walling have a good reputation. Dean Bennett supply has them, but a comparable pump to the Goulds from Aqua Science costs $850 from Dean Bennett. Seems high. Are Flint and Walling superior, worth the extra?

Franklin Electric is famous for their motors, so I gather, and they make good pumps. Haven't been able to find an internet supplier that sells them online.

Seems like there are few online retailers of the higher quality pumps, lots of sellers of cheaper pumps. I guess that the better pumps are mostly sold wholesale to driller's suppliers, but don't know.

Thoughts?

 

[flusher]

Mine is a 1.5 hp Grundfos submersible pump. 10 years so far and no problems. My well is 154 ft deep (third strata), 90 ft static level, pump is at 120 ft level.

The driller estimated that the well would do better than 100 gal/min with matched pump. That 1.5 hp pump is more than enough for household needs and landscape/garden irrigation.

With the CA drought going into the 4th year, the lawn sprinklers have been shut off for the past 2 years. Only irrigation is driplines on the shrubs and in the garden.

Good luck

 

[Turbys_1700]

I have a F&W at my house...
I moved here in 1985...
My grandfather built the house in 1953 and I am thinking that the pump was put into service in the early to mid 70's...
The only thing I have replaced is several pressure switches...
It has been a really good unit...
A friend of mine is a sales manager for our local pump distributor here in Hickory...
He speaks highly of them...
Good units...

 

[Walkin Horse]

Have you looked at Red Jacket pumps. When I used to weld for a commercial driller, Red Jacket was all they used.

 

[MarkF48]

I've got a Goulds 1/2hp down at 280' that I installed back in 1986. Probably on borrowed time presently, but it's still supplying water for the house. If I replace it I'd likely try to go with another Goulds, although I wonder if the quality is what it used to be.

 

[deerseeker001]

I have had these in a couple different wells good pumps.

Have you looked at Red Jacket pumps. When I used to weld for a commercial driller, Red Jacket was all they used.

 

[Silvic]

You have a planned head of 360 ft (250-300 and 50-60 more) for planning plus the losses that you will have in the supply line to the storage tank. (You did not state how far, how many turns and what size supply line you are planning on) Assuming no above ground line loses a 1hp 15 stage will give you about 4.6 gpm at 20 psi. A 3/4 hp 21 stage rated at 5.3 gpm at 20 psi and a 14 stage 3.7 at 20 psi. Since you plan on a storage tank for cabin supply the actually pressure and gpm to the tank are not as critical but do not just look at HP, look at pump stages as well as that effects your decision. You may have to look at a little bit more HP depending upon line losses (friction) to the storage tank. If it was to my house and not a cabin I would definitely be going with more HP and thus pressure for a given flow rate.

Flint and Walling and Grundfos both have good reps. Depending upon whom you talk with it is a bit like Ford, Chevy, Dodge.

 

[SirReal63]

We went with a Lorentz for our 430' deep well, powered by solar panels pumping to a 2550 gallon tank. If you are looking at Grundfos then also look at Lorentz, there are some nice features of the Lorentz over the Grundfos.

 

[jeffgreef]

Thanks everyone.

Silvic- I'm not familiar with how to make a decision about number of stages. I was just going off the charts listed by the manufacturers. Can you tell me the advantages/disadvantages to more or less stages in the pump? thanks

 

[Silvic]

Thanks everyone.

Silvic- I'm not familiar with how to make a decision about number of stages. I was just going off the charts listed by the manufacturers. Can you tell me the advantages/disadvantages to more or less stages in the pump? thanks

The simple answer, though not completely accurate, is that the more stages the more required HP but a given HP can run a 5 stage as well as a 12 stage pump depending upon the situation. If you look at the different charts of the manufacturers you will note that for a given HP motor there are different pumps that can be connected to them. Those pumps can be configured with different stage pumps. What we common refer to as a pump is really a motor (HP) connected to a pump. Depending upon how it is configured it will change the model number. You can actually have one brand pump with a different brand motor in some situations. I think the charts on your Dean Bennett referenced company's website show this. As a general rule the deeper you go the more HP and the more stages. Pump stages will supply more volume and pressure but HP will supply depth and pressure as it can drive the pump harder. (not completely accurate but close enough) Talk to the Dean Bennett folks for better/more defined info for your situation. DO NOT get a submersible pump until you have your well drilled and identified as to static/dynamic level depth.