Hi all, glad to have run across this forum while searching out info on how what to do about a problem. Here's the run-down:
Pump/Well Info
Dempster M200 2HP
Well Depth: 764 ft
Discharge Pipe Length: 600 ft ( not really sure if pump is at 560 ft or 600 ft )
Static Water Depth: 350'
Pumping Water Level: 475'
There is also a MF260 pressure tank set at 40/60
This pump is used solely for pond/irrigation of 1.5 acre site. It was initially sized to top of 75000 gallon pond and mixture of drip / sprinkler irrigation.
The Problem
Woke up on the 26th and pump control box had popped the reset switch. After doing a reset the pressure tank filled and pump shutoff as expected; yet after opening our pond valve to full the pressure switch turned on the pump just fine yet the reset switch would trigger prior it being shut back off.
I took the box to the hardware store and tested both capacitors. The run cap showed that it might be bad, so replaced it and the problem still existed, so then replaced the whole control unit, and the problem still existed. Called the company that installed the well and they came out the next day ( a Saturday! ) and tested the grounds ( which looked fine ) and the amp draw. The amps showed steady increase from about 13 to about 20 amps. So according to the installer and everything I could find online we need to pull it to see if it is the pump or motor.
Since the pump would run for periods of time if the flow stays low ( which works for drip irrigation ) we decided to wait to pull it until he had a replacement pump. From what he says the pump manufacturer has recently changed ownership and the have had problems with warranty replacements that are _still in warranty_ let alone out of warranty by 3 days.
So he gave me three choices; either stick with the M200 or go to either of these::
StaRite 2HP 10 gpm Signature 2000 which I've determined just would not work for the water we need.
Air Motor AS12-300 3HP, which he states would require us to upgrade the controller and the wiring as well as the pump. I didn't find anything online about this pump, but must admit I didn't look all to hard since it would cost much more.
Choices
Since we live in an area with only one driller who normally services wells we don't have too many options. But the charges seem ( to my ingorant eyes ) OK.
2 men - 2 Hr pull, 1 Hr bench, 2 Hr install, with new check valve ( $670 )
If the bench test determines both pump and motor need replacing then altogether roughly $2500. If it is just part then roughly $1500.
Looking online I found one M200 < $700, but no other prices. And calling a few neighboring towns around here got me an average of about 1700-1800 for the M200.
What do you think, just replace the M200 with another or go up in size/hp?
The biggest concern is that during the summer months the pond evaporates and leaks enough to have to replace about an inch ( roughly 4000 gallons ) a day. Is that just too much for the M200; our well guy said we should be fine with running the pump for an hour then leaving it off for a couple of hours. If we do that, then it would take about 4 hours ( 966 gal/hr @ 0 psi ).
Any input or advice?
Many thanks and sorry for being so long winded.
Bo
Pump/Well Info
Dempster M200 2HP
- Installed on Jun 23 2004 ( with extended warranty that ran out 3 days before problems presented )
- Performance Curve
- Performance Table
- 2 HP controller / 3 Wire
Well Depth: 764 ft
Discharge Pipe Length: 600 ft ( not really sure if pump is at 560 ft or 600 ft )
Static Water Depth: 350'
Pumping Water Level: 475'
There is also a MF260 pressure tank set at 40/60
This pump is used solely for pond/irrigation of 1.5 acre site. It was initially sized to top of 75000 gallon pond and mixture of drip / sprinkler irrigation.
The Problem
Woke up on the 26th and pump control box had popped the reset switch. After doing a reset the pressure tank filled and pump shutoff as expected; yet after opening our pond valve to full the pressure switch turned on the pump just fine yet the reset switch would trigger prior it being shut back off.
I took the box to the hardware store and tested both capacitors. The run cap showed that it might be bad, so replaced it and the problem still existed, so then replaced the whole control unit, and the problem still existed. Called the company that installed the well and they came out the next day ( a Saturday! ) and tested the grounds ( which looked fine ) and the amp draw. The amps showed steady increase from about 13 to about 20 amps. So according to the installer and everything I could find online we need to pull it to see if it is the pump or motor.
Since the pump would run for periods of time if the flow stays low ( which works for drip irrigation ) we decided to wait to pull it until he had a replacement pump. From what he says the pump manufacturer has recently changed ownership and the have had problems with warranty replacements that are _still in warranty_ let alone out of warranty by 3 days.
So he gave me three choices; either stick with the M200 or go to either of these::
StaRite 2HP 10 gpm Signature 2000 which I've determined just would not work for the water we need.
Air Motor AS12-300 3HP, which he states would require us to upgrade the controller and the wiring as well as the pump. I didn't find anything online about this pump, but must admit I didn't look all to hard since it would cost much more.
Choices
Since we live in an area with only one driller who normally services wells we don't have too many options. But the charges seem ( to my ingorant eyes ) OK.
2 men - 2 Hr pull, 1 Hr bench, 2 Hr install, with new check valve ( $670 )
If the bench test determines both pump and motor need replacing then altogether roughly $2500. If it is just part then roughly $1500.
Looking online I found one M200 < $700, but no other prices. And calling a few neighboring towns around here got me an average of about 1700-1800 for the M200.
What do you think, just replace the M200 with another or go up in size/hp?
The biggest concern is that during the summer months the pond evaporates and leaks enough to have to replace about an inch ( roughly 4000 gallons ) a day. Is that just too much for the M200; our well guy said we should be fine with running the pump for an hour then leaving it off for a couple of hours. If we do that, then it would take about 4 hours ( 966 gal/hr @ 0 psi ).
Any input or advice?
Many thanks and sorry for being so long winded.
Bo