Help! My dog disconnected the float switch wires next to our cistern

[Danielle Achziger]

Hello! I'm desperate for some advice. We haven't had water for a week and it's nearly impossible to find a professional to service our house (we live in the mountains and there is only a limited number of professional companies within 1 1/2 - 2 hrs of us). I had 2 local guys working on it this week and they couldn't figure it out. Here's an overview of the situation and our setup. Please forgive me if I incorrectly label something. I'm not an electrician, mechanic, well professional, etc. I work in Human Resources. LOL.

Last week Saturday, our dog dug the cover off of the junction box that is underground next to our cistern in the middle of the yard. When I inspected the damage, there was 1 wire nut on the ground and three exposed wires. Fast forward to this past Monday and we noticed that our jet pump (in the mechanical room in our house) was running on almost 0 PSI. At that point, we turned off the Well and Pressure Pump switches as to not damage the system. I hadn't noticed at the time, but our Pumptech was also completely dead - no power.

After some testing, it turns out that the exposed wires in the junction box were to the float switch (a yellow and black wire in a black sheath) and a hot wire that powers the pumptech. Logic would tell me that all of these wires need to be reconnected but to where???? That's what no one can figure out. The junction box is filled with wires that run underground and I have no idea where they all lead. I'll post some pictures and maybe, just maybe, someone on here can help me. I would LOVE to take a proper shower one of these days!!

 

[Reach4]

After some testing, it turns out that the exposed wires in the junction box were to the float switch (a yellow and black wire in a black sheath)

So the float switch is in the cistern, and the black and white cable are the only wires going to the cistern.

There are 3 or 4 wires going down the well -- which?

Gray box says Kralox on the front and has something inside. That could be a relay/contactor that actually controls the well pump, itself being switched by the float switch.

and a hot wire that powers the pumptech.

Are you saying that you think that that hot provides power to the Pumptech? Seems like power would go from the house to the well and cistern.

Then the jet pump is controlled by a pressure switch at the pressure tank, and that area is not in the photos.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Danielle Achziger]

So the float switch is in the cistern, and the black and white cable are the only wires going to the cistern.

There are 3 or 4 wires going down the well -- which?

Gray box says Kralox on the front and has something inside. That could be a relay/contactor that actually controls the well pump, itself being switched by the float switch.


Are you saying that you think that that hot provides power to the Pumptech? Seems like power would go from the house to the well and cistern.

Then the jet pump is controlled by a pressure switch at the pressure tank, and that area is not in the photos.

The float switch is in the cistern which only contains the cable to the float. The well is located somewhere else. The white wire is buried underground but I'm not sure where that goes. All of these wires are buried underground. When we flipped the breaker to the 'pump' (#10 in the picture), the hot wire lost power. I believe that's the power to the pumptech. There is a separate breaker for the pressure tank and well.

 

[Valveman]

Here is a diagram of how it should be wired.

 

[Danielle Achziger]

Thank you! If only I could figure out which wires are the L2 In and Coil, I'd be in good shape!

 

[Reach4]

Thank you! If only I could figure out which wires are the L2 In and Coil, I'd be in good shape!

Did you look in the gray Kralox box and find a relay?