Should I get a spare pump now?

[Tubby]

Newbie here. I have a 3-wire, 3/4-HP, 230-volt submersible pump that is dated 2002. It is mounted horizontally in about 2 feet of springwater. Although it's in a springhouse, various damage and PVC mishaps have occurred over the years, resulting in the intake of silty water and debris such as leaves and PVC shavings, plus pumping of air on occasion. I don't know the expected service life of these pumps, but I don't look forward to sudden failure (which is likely to happen on a holiday weekend with unpassable, icy roads).

I'm thinking of buying a spare pump so I don't have to worry about future supply-chain issues and price inflation. But then the warranty clock starts ticking, and I wouldn't know whether I have a lemon until it's possibly too late. Perhaps these devices are all well-tested and I needn't be concerned.

Opinions?

 

[Valveman]

A submersible pump end can be stored for long periods of time. But it is not usually a good idea to store a motor for any length of time. Motors that are water lubricated will loose water over time. They must be opened up and topped off with water before installing. Motors with ball bearings are usually oil lubricated and the oil will not evaporate. But the ball bearings need to be spun a couple times a years to keep them from pitting and sticking, which is hard to do with an assembled pump and motor.

At such a shallow depth something like the 1HP, 33 GPM, Hallmark pump would work. It is very inexpensive and I think it oil lubricated, so it would store better than most and doesn't cost much if it fails.