Well Pump

There are guys here who know a lot more than me, but, you could hang a sensor down to the high point and turn on with a 15-20 min time delay, then off.

Then, when water rises again, sensor trips, pump starts, runs, turns off.

You will also need a high level cut-off switch for the tank.

Hello Hendrik,

GA to you Sir.[p]

The pump you have depicted will not pump anywhere near a 550' head.

Where I live, there are many wells that have low recovery rates and there are systems that are used for them that pump into a cistern which has another pump in it to supply water in larger quantities. I don't know all of the details, but I am sure that any respectable well driller/pump installer would have the resources for this type of system.

Thanks, guys. That gets me going in the right direction. Thanks again.

This is a good answer and I gave it one.

Unless the recovery rate on the well is low, there is little need to place the pump near the bottom of the well, since for really deep wells, the effort needed to raise the pump for repairs or maintenance increases substantially.

Hello tcmtech,

GA to you Sir.

Does your current system work well enough to be comfortable in your home, ( Cat like the Pun?) If your pressure is ok and the tank does not run dry the only thing I would do is add a high level switch to the tank that will shut off power to the pump control circuit. Then all you need to do is increase the timer duration until your tank wants to almost over flow and your tank will stay close to full and you won't need to work down in the whole. I would have your well checked and compared with your pumps head capabilities. After that I would lift your pump as high as you can and still function.

Hello boyscout,

As a fail-safe, you could fit both types of sensors. A dual sensor with one long and one shorter, like Hedrik mentioned. The long one to let water into the well. The short one to stop the well getting too full. A sensor in the tank you pump to, which can turn the pump off when it is full, like lynlynch said..... More or less.

Or a similar sensor to the one in the well. The longer one will ask for water. The short one with stop the flow into the tank If it is necessary, fit a timer to turn the pump on and off. This is really a double fail-safe but, it would give piece of mind that the tank was not over filling? But it would also mean a lot of unnecessary wiring. Good luck, OK?

Hi boyscout,

Find below and my comments.

On Hendrik post # 2 ( I vote 1 GA) for me is the best solution,

One sensor will lead to too frequent switching. To avoid that you need two electrode sensors in the well.

One at the minimum level to stop the pump when the water is too low.

The other at the point where you would like the pump to start on demand.(tank side)

On PWSlack post # 3 (I vote 1 GA)(my only comments is the submersible shown attached is not applicable or ideal for well pump as we only using this commonly in water storage tank, sewage tank or transfer pump tank to tank).

Two switches would be ideal: one in the well to cut off the pump if the level falls too low, and one in the tank to cut off the pump if the level goes too high.

Most submersible pumps have a float switch as part of their manufacture:

On tmtech post # 5 (restrictor will work however wastage on energy)

Around here they just put a flow restrictor inline with the well outlet if the well has a low refresh rate.

Kind regards

Roman

Sensor wires running 550 feet should be of the current loop type. Noise from the power line could interfere with other type of signals. All i can add, everyone has just about covered it.

Hello madness,

Yes there is only so many ways of lifting water? ;=)

I think your mention on the wires to be used could be useful, they are pretty long, that is for sure.

Take care......

The two float switch option is probably best. There is a self contained optical switch here:

http://www.fluidswitch.com/pages/OpticalLiquidLevelSensorOS-900.htm

I would recommend the 12v version and use larger gauge wire than typical due to the lengths of the wire runs.

Of course two sensors and all that wire are expensive. Another way to set this up would be to use one sensor and a time delay relay. There is a pretty good selection here:

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/Relays_-z-_Timers/Fuji_Timer_Relays_1-z-16_DIN_(MS_Series)

The problem with that solution is that you will have to figure out how quickly your pump can drain the well and then set the time to something less that that. So you won't get as much water as you would with a two sensor solution or you might suck mud if you over do it.

Guess it's a matter of expense versus functionality.

Bucket, rope and winch could be in for a long haul

Thanks, wish i could spend more time here...gotto pay the bills

Try a sonic sensor in the casing head that bounces a sound wave of the water table each hour, or, initiated by a low level float in your overhead tank. I'd guess a water well specialty store will have them. Bounce (hey...I mad a well funny) this idea off of a water well service company for ideas. They use sonic devices to determine current water table levels and draw down rates.

Failing that there are sensors available that sit above ground (pressure switches that are extremely sensitive) and a closed piece of pliable tubing is dropped in the casing. As water level goes up / down the tubing is compressed and varies the trapped pressure inside and the duel set point pressure switch operates the pump. Try to avoid anything that 'moves' down hole as it will muck up with sediment, scale, bacteria growth and other 'things' that will limit mechanical movements (such as a float switch might stop moving after it gets mucked up).

500 feet is a long way down and anything lowered in the hole will be heavy from the connection wires / tubing to the top.

Take care of small devices lowered down that will get 'sucked' over to the screen of the pump.