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david55 · Nov 26, 2007, 07:17 AM

I purchased a cabin in the mountains of Virginia and recently ran into a problem with my water pump. I have spring water (checked and the holding tank has plenty of water) which collects in a 500 gallon holding tank which sits at most about 8 ft. below my pump house. In the pump house I have a 1/2 hp (20/40) pump made by jacuzzi and a blue, what I believe is a pressure tank, sitting next to it. I'm pretty sure my pump is bad because it will not pump up the pressure more than 10lbs before it shuts off (last year my pipes froze and I think the pump ran dry for a day or two). I pulled the cover off the pressure switch and noticed the pump was hot to the touch and the pressure switch was not causing the pump to shut off. Before I replace my pump (if that's the problem) I want to make sure my set-up is appropriate for my cabin. The design now is: The line runs up from the holding tank to the rear of the pump. From the side of the pump the line runs in front of the pressure tank and here there's a T connection with a faucet.. The line runs in and out of the tank in this spot (one line not two). The line then runs down the bench, into the ground then down to my cabin which is downhill and approximately 130 ft. from the pump. I've really had no problems with getting water in the past, if I had a complaint it would be poor water pressure. If someone could help I'd appreciate it.

Thank you,
David

jlisenbe · Nov 26, 2007, 06:10 PM

I'm pretty sure my pump is bad because it will not pump up the pressure more than 10lbs before it shuts off.

I'm wondering here about your switch. Are the breaker points still closed in the switch when the pump cuts off at 10#?

I pulled the cover off the pressure switch and noticed the pump was hot to the touch and the pressure switch was not causing the pump to shut off.

Do you mean that the switch was hot or the pump was hot? If the switch is hot then it may be that the points are staying closed since the pump never pumps up to cut off pressure.

Before I replace my pump (if that's the problem) I want to make sure my set-up is appropriate for my cabin. The design now is: The line runs up from the holding tank to the rear of the pump. From the side of the pump the line runs in front of the pressure tank and here there's a T connection with a faucet.. The line runs in and out of the tank in this spot (one line not two). The line then runs down the bench, into the ground then down to my cabin which is downhill and approximately 130 ft. from the pump.

Sounds like the setup is correct. Here are a couple of sites that may prove helpful in that regard. If your switch is working (I still question that), then the pump is the next place to look. If your pump is cutting off at 10#, then I would just check and be sure that it is not a problem with the switch cutting it off at that point. If the points are staying closed, then start looking at the pump.

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Thank you,
David[/QUOTE]

david55 · Nov 27, 2007, 03:28 PM

jlisenbe:

Thank you for the response. To answer your questions: Yes the breaker points are still closed. It's the body of the pump that's hot and not the switch. Thanks for the information.

jlisenbe · Nov 27, 2007, 05:01 PM

Well, it certainly seems like the pump is the problem. I'd call one of the websites I sent you (I have no financial interest in any of them!! ) and ask them. It is possible that the motor could be replaced or repaired... my knowledge doesn't go that far. Sounds like the freeze got it. I would flip the breaker lest you end up with a burned out switch to go along with your pump problem. Best of luck.