Shallow Water Well Problems

[DWhitt]

I installed a shallow water well app 2 years as a water source to keep a small 1/3 acre fish pond full and to irrigate the yard. It was working perfect but now It keeps cycling off and on about every 20 seconds. I will try and explain the problem. Since I don't use the well all the time it takes a few minutes to prime each time I use it but it normals takes about 15-20 seconds and it is primed and pumping water. The start up has not changed. However, after flowing water anywhere from 2-20 minutes the pump will just shut off, stay off for app 20 seconds and then kicks on full stream for another 15-20 seconds. Then it just continues this cycle until I turn it off, which I usually no longer than 5 minutes. The pressure gauges reads about 44psi when running and pumping app 7 gallons a minute on 1 1'4' well pipe. When pump just shuts off the pressure will start dropping and to zero in about 3 seconds. When it cycles back on in 20 seconds it is immediately back to 44psi.

I have changed the pressure switch (30 - 50 psi) and pressure gauge. I have switched out the bladder tank. I have adjusted the air pressure in bladder tank to 28psi. I live at the NC coast and hit water at about 12 feet and the well is 28 feet deep so I feel good about being in the water table and should have plenty of water. Not sure if a clogged sand point might be my problem. Before I cut the plumbing to flush the sand point I thought I would ask the experts.

Thanks

 

[The Cobbler]

wild guess, have you checked the line from the pump to the pressure switch to make sure it's clear?

 

[DWhitt]

The pressure gauge and pressure switch are attached to the pump.

Thanks for the WAG.

 

[Worsedog]

Is the motor getting hot? My neighbor had a similar problem, although the start stop interval was a little bit longer than yours, more like 20 seconds on 40 or so off. Unfortunately, not clear on the resolution, I just remember the motor getting hot.

 

[The Cobbler]

thinking more, I would bypass the switch and see what it does. then you rule in or out a motor issue

 

[DWhitt]

I forgot to mention the motor does not get hot.

 

[BillK]

I sounds to me like there is an overheat sensor of some type that is shutting it off and then back on when it cools off a little.
Have you looked at the manual for the pump ?

 

[PCustoms]

Watch your pressure switch as the pump cycles, it should pump up to a pressure, say 60, then shut off. It should turn back on around 40.

What are your settings?

Sounds like the pump is loosing its prime/running continuously against the pressure switch.

 

[larry_g]

I would suggest that you monitor the power going to the motor from the switch. This confirms if the power is being cut to the motor from the pressure switch or if the motor is going into thermal overload.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[chris142]

It may not be enough water over the pump to pump 7 gpm if the aquifer cant supply that amount.

 

[walrus]

In Maine the only way I've seen shallow well pumps is the pressure gauge and switch are on a brass casting that screws directly to bottom of bladder tank. The short cycling would be a tank issue but you changed that so?? If its cutting out on motor thermal it would take a minute or 2 to come back on in my experience. Possibly running out of water?

 

[Bert_]

Bad check valve, water is leaking past and going back down the well.