Controlling lake pump that will be used for watering

[LakeResident]

We have a contractor coming next week to run water from municipal line to our house. This will replace our lake water system.

We want to keep the lake system working just for washing cars, watering of gardens and lawn during dry periods. Our current pump is a Burcam with Flomac flow/pressure controller (no pressure tank). We have a second similar pump that failed due to overheating when our automatic backwash sand filter malfunctioned resulting in fast cycling during night with very little flow.

We have used these pumps for watering in past with a take off at pump discharge that bypasses the filtration and UV system. No problem encountered doing that for many years. Problem is that the current installed Burcam pump is quite old (2008) and could fail. So I will likely need a backup. To repair the much newer (2022) overheated pump I will need parts costing about C$160.

I have seen watering pumps, some portable, advertised for about same cost as those Burcam parts. But they have no apparent pressure control. How are those pumps used? Do they just turn them on and let them run continuously via sprinklers? But what happens when a hose is used. Wouldn't the pump be dead headed every time the hose nozzle flow is stopped? The pumphouse is some distance from where watering often takes place so not convenient to turn pump on and off.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Reach4]

Yes. Yes.

So if turning the pump on is not convenient, then you would need a pressure switch and pressure tank. You could size the sprinkler to use enough water to not cycle, or you could use a CSV to match the pump flow to the sprinkler or other load.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[LakeResident]

Yes. Yes.

So if turning the pump on is not convenient, then you would need a pressure switch and pressure tank. You could size the sprinkler to use enough water to not cycle, or you could use a CSV to match the pump flow to the sprinkler or other load.

Thanks for input!

Sprinkler would not be the most common use. Mostly just garden hose watering flower gardens etc.

Sounds like our present type of pump with Flotec controller might still be best option. That will mean rebuilding damaged pump as a spare. Or perhaps buying just a pump and re-using one of the two Flotec controllers we have on it. Would need some rewiring of motor.

For our use, CSV would presumably still need a pressure tank?

 

[Reach4]

For our use, CSV would presumably still need a pressure tank?

If you have a pressure switch, you need a pressure tank. The tank can be smaller with a CSV.