PSikes
New Member
Hello All,
I've been wondering why our water pressure hasn't been consistent lately, so I've been reading up on this forum, trying to better understand how my well system works, and look for potential problems. Over the years, I've learned that any drop in water pressure usually meant it was time to replace the Cuno Water Filter that sits inline for the home's water supply.
The thing I fear is a full on well failure -- that is the incoming well water isn't replenishing fast enough.
We've lived in this house for 24 years, and the water pump/system hasn't given us any problems. Pretty amazing, if you ask me. All I know is that it seems lately the water flow drops off dramatically once the tank is empty, and the pump is doing all the work.
So, I've gone through the basic stuff listed. I've attached pics, to help identify the components that are in our system
1. first thing I found was that my pressure gauge was pretty much rusted shut. I replaced it. (see pics)
2. While doing the gauge replacement, I went ahead and re-pressurized the tank to 28psi (cutoff at 30). Reading the inside of the Square D FSG-2 indicates that it should be running at 30/50? (pic attached). Tank seems to be rated for 100psi max. (Amtrol Model WX-202) I should point out that there was no indication of water sloshing around in the tank.
3. I can't identify the actual Grundfos pump I've got. I've posted a pic, hoping somebody might recognize it? All I know is that it's a Grundfos, it's stainless, and 1/2 HP. (see pic)
4. What the heck is the little red, heart-shaped "Protector" attached to the cutoff switch? Made by Meyers? One of it's leads isn't attached to anything, and I'm wondering if I should reconnect it. (see pics)
5. When I reconnected the power, the pump fired up, and stopped at about 62 psi. (much higher than the 50 I was expecting!) The pump is so darn quiet, I can't honestly tell when it kicks back on or off. I don't have an Amp probe. I do have a multimeter. Is there a way of monitoring the pump by measuring a voltage drop or something? If not, I'll pick up a clamp-on meter.
6. I haven't done a water flow test yet, but I'm wondering the value in that. The water flow I really am interested in, is how quickly the well refills, when the water flow dwindles down to a trickle.
Any and all suggestions gladly accepted. Forgive the quality of the pics. If there's something else that would be helpful, please let me know, and I'll post it.
Thanks,
Peter
I've been wondering why our water pressure hasn't been consistent lately, so I've been reading up on this forum, trying to better understand how my well system works, and look for potential problems. Over the years, I've learned that any drop in water pressure usually meant it was time to replace the Cuno Water Filter that sits inline for the home's water supply.
The thing I fear is a full on well failure -- that is the incoming well water isn't replenishing fast enough.
We've lived in this house for 24 years, and the water pump/system hasn't given us any problems. Pretty amazing, if you ask me. All I know is that it seems lately the water flow drops off dramatically once the tank is empty, and the pump is doing all the work.
So, I've gone through the basic stuff listed. I've attached pics, to help identify the components that are in our system
1. first thing I found was that my pressure gauge was pretty much rusted shut. I replaced it. (see pics)
2. While doing the gauge replacement, I went ahead and re-pressurized the tank to 28psi (cutoff at 30). Reading the inside of the Square D FSG-2 indicates that it should be running at 30/50? (pic attached). Tank seems to be rated for 100psi max. (Amtrol Model WX-202) I should point out that there was no indication of water sloshing around in the tank.
3. I can't identify the actual Grundfos pump I've got. I've posted a pic, hoping somebody might recognize it? All I know is that it's a Grundfos, it's stainless, and 1/2 HP. (see pic)
4. What the heck is the little red, heart-shaped "Protector" attached to the cutoff switch? Made by Meyers? One of it's leads isn't attached to anything, and I'm wondering if I should reconnect it. (see pics)
5. When I reconnected the power, the pump fired up, and stopped at about 62 psi. (much higher than the 50 I was expecting!) The pump is so darn quiet, I can't honestly tell when it kicks back on or off. I don't have an Amp probe. I do have a multimeter. Is there a way of monitoring the pump by measuring a voltage drop or something? If not, I'll pick up a clamp-on meter.
6. I haven't done a water flow test yet, but I'm wondering the value in that. The water flow I really am interested in, is how quickly the well refills, when the water flow dwindles down to a trickle.
Any and all suggestions gladly accepted. Forgive the quality of the pics. If there's something else that would be helpful, please let me know, and I'll post it.
Thanks,
Peter