Well pump question
- Thread starter Ponchik
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- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I believe it is more efficient and you don't have issue with having to prime the pumps when the empty. The also cannot pull water from great distances
- Location
- Massachusetts
Because pumps do not suck water up, the atmospheric pressure pushes water up to the pump.
That limits the height the pump can be above the water.
http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae443.cfm
On the other hand, a pump can push water up from very deep.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
A well pump which is more than about 33 feet above the water surface will be a jet pump which sends water back down the well at high pressure in a separate small pipe.
This water exits a small orifice (jet) pointing upward and this drives the larger volume of water up the pipe against gravity.
The disadvantage compared to a submersible pump is that it must be primed, and requires a foot valve to maintain priming between uses.
This water exits a small orifice (jet) pointing upward and this drives the larger volume of water up the pipe against gravity.
The disadvantage compared to a submersible pump is that it must be primed, and requires a foot valve to maintain priming between uses.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I was under the impression that no matter how powerful a pump was you cannot suck water more than a 33.5 feet. I don't see how having a small pipe will increase the distance of a pump above the water level.
the advantages of having the pump at the bottom is that you could push the water up over a 1000 feet if needed and with the pump / motor in the water it will also run cooler.
- Location
- Massachusetts
You are right with a conventional pump but a jet pump basically pushes water to the surface by pumping water down first.
The pump ends up moving more gallons than it actually delivers for use.
meternerd
Senior Member
- Location
- Athol, ID
- Occupation
- retired water & electric utility electrician, meter/relay tech
Regarding small commercial (water company wells). Large wells used by water companies are usually a turbine (centrifugal) pump located at the bottom of a well, (700 Ft+) and a shaft from the pump to the motor, which is at ground level. This is basically a multi-stage submersible pump with a motor that is accessible. The pump shaft is supported by "spiders" which are spoke-like supports with rubber center bearings that keep the shaft centered in the well casing. Water flows up the casing and out the above ground piping. Motors range from 250 to 500HP. Same as submersible...need no priming. Flows up to 2500 gpm.
You are right with a conventional pump but a jet pump basically pushes water to the surface by pumping water down first.
The pump ends up moving more gallons than it actually delivers for use.
I never seen that setup or knew about it. But I was at a friends house that had a pump setup just like that in the basement and I thought it was for just a shallow well.
guess im still learning
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