Water well pump no pressure submerisble pump approx 200 ft or less

Question

Well working fine BEFORE. Smell was bad and bad taste. Switched to city water and kept well only for landscape/outside water. BEFORE, pump maintained about 50 to 60 max pressure (PSI). BEFORE had a very decent recovery rate. After, takes a very long time to get to 40 PSI. If I set the pressure switch above 40 PSI, pumps water back up the well casing into immediate well area. Took off pressure switch and blew out with air pressure (maybe c**p inside it during the conversion from well to city) Hunting possible solutions or trouble shooting directions. More info and pictures available. Thoughts: Well pumps usually go out over a period of time, not overnight. Since it is a 240 volt pump, the plumbers did have to cut the electrical line from the pressure tank to the pump, if one of the wires is not reconnected properly, does the pump then receive only 110 volts causing the reduced recovery rate?? Will a 240 pump even work on only 110? I have not checked the voltage at the well head. Any help or advice appreciated.

Answer 1

Check the voltage first. Some pumps can handle both 110 volts or 240 volts depending on your pumps name plate it only differs to how it is connected (leads). If your pump cannot handle 110 volts then it should trip your thermal overload relay if installed. If your supply voltage is lower than your required, the current will rise and will trip your pump motor.

If these were checked and were okay then have your pump pulled out. Probable cause can be a blocked or broken impellers. Leaks on your pipeline can be a cause too.

Good luck in you troubleshooting.

Answer 2

A 240 volt pump won't run on 120v

Answer 3

Check the voltage at the well head. Sometimes (depending on type) I have heard that some pumps can in fact run 1/2 power if both leads aren't connected to give it 240V. Reconnect the wire if the well head isn't at 240 then check pressure.

Depending on the age of the pump/water supply line and wires leading down to the pump they could be bad. Each time the demand for water is asked (turning on a faucet, pressure drops) the pump kicks on and it gives a h**l of a twist to the entire run from the pump up.  That can wear the electrical and water line connections.

As far are increasing the pressure demand and having the water backup the well casing? That sounds like it could be a broken water line down in the well therefore some water is dumping into the well instead of going to the home.

It could be a faulty pressure tank ie..not holding the proper air pressure or the bladder inside is bad. Even though you cleaned the pressure switch it could still have deposits inside that will affect the accuracy. Have you considered swapping it out for a new one?

feel free to Email me if you are still having issues