Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
(OP)
I'm working on trying to decide how to operate a pump for a well to supply a raw water tank a distance away from the well. Radio telemetry, etc will not work due to terrain/distance. Is there a way to use a pressure switch (on the basis of pressure differences in the pipeline for varying depths of water in the tank) to tell the pump when to turn and off? Any help would be appreciated. I dont think this is very hard, just having a hard time finding information on various equipment/electronics needed.
Thanks.
Thanks.





RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
Yes, you can use a pressure switch near the well to control the on/off status of the well. You will have to bear in mind that the pressure switch will not only see the static head (which is what you really only want to see); but, also the dynamic head on the pump during the pump run cycle. Then during the pump off cycle if there is no flow through the line it will see the static head. Your switch must have a high enough differential to account for this. You can also use a pressure transducer in lieu of the switch for high differential conditions.
There are other means of communication besides radio telemetry. Cell phone systems are in use as well as direct telephone lines. Many have been discussed in other threads on this forum.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
And thanks for the responses. Depending on the actual distance we may end up actually going with a line laid along the supply line.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
let us know how you make out...
BobPE
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
The well most likely then floats off the tank...a simple pressure switch solution would work great. Check to see if there is an altitude valve though....I wouldn't use a cable...the level difference between the static level you see at the tank and the dynamic pressure you see at the pump is not going to be a big problem to deal with and account for through your calibration of the pressure switch.
BobPE
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
If you are designing it, it is even easier. Talk with some of your engineers that have done this before and you should have no problem...
take care...
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
You are at the right place to get ideas and just bounce things off people without sounding funny or worrying what people will think!!!!
I have put in many control systems for well water, and I have found the pressure switch to be cheap, and more importantly, easy to repair when you leave your designs behind for others to fix and you, the engineer, are long gone. Pressure switches are not always the correct answer, but you will know when that is the case. For your case, being raw water with no demand, your system should be relatively stable and you will be able to reliably relate pressure to tank level....
take care...
BobPE
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
Any local electrician and many operators can replace a pressure switch. The more sophisticated systems also require more sophisticated (did I spell that right) repairmen.
As long as there is no other discharges from the main, your switch should only see the water level in the tank. Keep the switch in a freeze proof location or use an oil reservoir device to transfer the pressure.
I also agree with staying away from the altitude valve. You are only asking for additional maintenance that's not needed.
RE: Controlling a well pump with a pressure switch, or other options.
If this system is not built yet, a couduit laid next to the pipe to a float switch or two at the top of the tank will remove any error that a pressure switch will see. You can get wire any length you want. Pull a few extra wires in the couduit for any future improvements the operator may want to do in the future. To repeat Semo, 'Any local electrician and many operators can replace a pressure switch.' They can also replace a wire in a conduit or a float switch.
Hydrae