I’ve got all my parts and materials, but I just thought of one question:
Should I use electrical tape or zip-ties to secure the pump wire to the water line? The well drilling contractor said to use tape (which I prefer) except for my concern of the tape holding up under water? I’d rather avoid having pieces of tape floating in my well in a year’s time. The pump will be set @ 290′ and my water table’s @ 25′ (after 3 weeks w/o rain).
Thanks.
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Replies
ties or nothing, not vinyl tape, maybe kapton tape w/acrylic adhesive would be OK, never have used tape in my well.
I agree with junk on this one.
I wouldn't be worried about the tape I would be worried about puting an adhesive thats not rated for potable water in my drinking water.
Thanks for the confirmation. One more question:What happens if my pressure tank isn't full but my well runs "dry"? I read that some pumps have an overheat switch, but by then some damage has already been done, right?. Can you add a "float sensor"--I'm picturing a sump pump setup-- or something that will cut off the pump before it starts pumping air? I have only 2 gpm recovery. I don't believe in irrigation and I don't plan to start a car washing business, so my usage will be low/resonable. I have a Gould 1 HP, 2W, 7 gpm submersible. Hopefully I'm just creating problems that don't exist...Mark
Mark, I concur with Zip ties. Althogh 3M tape is very durable, and the adhesive non-toxic, Zip ties are a known quantity.
Regarding low pressure and running dry. Most submersibles have thermal / overcurrent protection built in, and this resets automatically. Some control boxes also have overcurrent protection.
However, if you select the corrrect type of pressure switch, specifically designed for wather pumps, you will get the right level of protection for your concern about low water. Square D, Levitron and other major makes have this specific type of pressure switch. The switch will automatically shut off under 15/20 PSI. A side effect of this feature with some models is that you have to "hold on" the switch when powering it up for the first time or after service. Kind of like you have to heat a LNG/Propane thermocouple to overrride the safety shutoff.
Here is the switch I used recently with the low pressure cutoff:
http://plumbing.gillroys.com/Supply_lines/Water_pumps_and_parts/Pumptrol_Pressure_Switch-s416010.htmlSeems to work fine.
I recently fell in love with "X-treme Tape" neat stuff, no adhesive. It bonds to it self. Under any situation.
http://www.DuluthTrading.com #96825
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