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    lockone's Avatar
    lockone Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 1, 2010, 11:23 AM
    Pumptrol inconveniently shuts the water pump OFF
    I often have to reset the lever under the house when the water stops running - possibly electrical failure but it happens when we are running the water on occasion? I was told this protects the pump from burning up when a water pipe breaks and the water continues to run. Can this be adjusted and can you tell me how or is the Pumptrol not operating correctly?
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #2

    Sep 1, 2010, 12:20 PM

    Is this lever on the side of a small electrical box with a grey cover? Is your pump above ground or in the well?
    lockone's Avatar
    lockone Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Sep 1, 2010, 01:27 PM

    Yes, a small electrical box with a grey cover and the pump is in the well.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #4

    Sep 1, 2010, 05:42 PM

    Lock, the lever on the switch works to protect your pump against running dry. When pressure drops too low, the switch assumes the pump is not in water and simply turns it off. Submersible pumps such as yours can run for hours as long as they are water. Water is the coolant for these pumps.

    The next time you are using water, watch the pressure gauge. As pressure drops, as some point you will hear the switch "click" on to turn the pump on. If pressure continues to drop, even with the pump running, then you have found your problem.

    You might also want to remove the switch (not difficult) and check the little pipe leading to the switch. It can easily get clogged and prevent the switch from operating properly.
    lockone's Avatar
    lockone Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Sep 2, 2010, 11:37 AM

    jlisenbe, thank you! In the 2nd paragraph, "if the pressure continues to drop..." then I have found the problem". Does that mean the problem is the switch and I should replace it, correct? I will check the pipe leading to the switch too.

    I live in OH and the house is in VA so I'm anxious to do as you discuss. Thanks very much.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #6

    Sep 2, 2010, 03:22 PM

    If the pressure continues to drop, then the pump would not seem to be able to supply enough water to keep up with demand. You could replace the switch with one that does not have the cutoff feature. Which is the way most switches operate anyway. That will allow the pump to continue to run, which will help, but you are still, I would think, going to be facing a problem with the pump not supplying enough volume.
    lockone's Avatar
    lockone Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Sep 3, 2010, 06:34 AM

    Okay, I now understand I may well need a new pump. Thanks very much for the excellent guidance.
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