What brand of well pump to buy?

[PILOON]

No matter what brand pump they all seem to use Franklin motors. They come as 2 wire or 3 wire. The 3 wire is older technology in that they have the start capacitor in the control box while the 2 wire in down in the pump.
Then comes the HP, 1/3, 1/2 or 3/4.
Red jacket is good pump so is Groundfoss.
Depth is a critical item as is length and pipe size.
The same motor can be connected to different pump heads with the number of stages determining the flow capacity.
The manufactures have charts that will suggest the flows that each pump will provide.
My 2 cents is Red Jacket, 1 inch high pressure poly B pipe and bladder type tank in 220 AC configuration and probably 1/2 HP.
I'd only use a fiberglass tank and not a steel one as steel rusts (simply from condensation) which in turn abrades that bladder 'til it ruptures.
Use the mfg's charts to determine the correct model based on debth and desired GPM required.

To get very technical you'd also want to enter every elbow, lift and length into the calculations as friction also comes into play as well as any rise from well to house.

Use only brass fittings (plastic OK) but no steel as with time any steel (even galvanized) will rust to the point of choking the flow down to none.
For the minor % brass is the way to go. Also double 2 jubilee clamps on every fitting as the clamps do corrode with time as the screws are susceptible to corrosion depending on the acidity of the water.
(clamps are Stainless but screws are generally not as the screw needs to be high tensile and not SS)

That's my 2 cents with many an installations and maintainance under my belt.

 

[Egon]

Each additional stage gives more output pressure. The stage diameter gives the volume. Ie, larger diameter more volume.

Your pump curves will give you the information.

 

[jeffgreef]

thanks all. I think I'm settling in on a Flint and Walling bought from Pierce's in Washington State, unless my driller convinces me otherwise. Flint uses Franklin motors, is all US made, and have a real reputation to maintain. Seems like a good choice.

 

[Silvic]

thanks all. I think I'm settling in on a Flint and Walling bought from Pierce's in Washington State, unless my driller convinces me otherwise. Flint uses Franklin motors, is all US made, and have a real reputation to maintain. Seems like a good choice.

Are you located in the area of Pierce's? They are a subsidiary of a well drilling company in the same area. Thought I would throw that out not knowing where your site is or who is doing the drilling.

 

[jeffgreef]

Hi Silvic. I'm located in Northern California, Pierce is in Washington. Only reason I chose them is that they have a competitive price on line and the shipping charge is reasonable. I don't know what pump I'm going to need yet, but for a 1hp 7gpm 240v 3wire Flint and Walling with controller box and shipping it comes out to under $850. Sound like a good price?

I considered having my well driller instal the pump, but he and I had a minor argument when I told him I wanted no PVC in the well, no PVC casing or down pipe, and that I wanted to use poly for the down pipe. We are using a standard steel 6" casing. So anyway I don't want him doing the work if he doesn't want to use poly, plus I see no reason I can't do it myself with hired help. So maybe the driller could get me a better deal on that or another pump, but not if we have to argue about materials.

 

[MacLawn]

My F&W was installed August '75, just went out two years ago! I told me well man to use same kind. It's about 265' deep in me 500' six inch well. Great water here in Georgia granite! I think you'll be good with ye choice.

Jeff, I wouldn't want to fuss with driller either, but I really trust mine. A great man. He used galvanized steel in '75, and as I watched it pulled out for new pump, it was in excellent condition after all those years. He reused it, nary problem.

 

[jeffgreef]

thanks everyone for the good advice