Ok I don’t usualy post in the general discussions I just read and learn but….
My surface(jet pump) died at the end of the summer last year and I have to replace it. The well is 20-22ft deep according to the previous owner. I just use the well for outside watering.
Which would be better replace the jet with a new one or go for a submersible? I do know that the subs put out more water per HP of motor but which would last longer for the money? Also I have a ~65gal surge tank too, would I need this with the submersable?
I’m looking for recommendations also on which brand of each pump. Also di I need to replace the casing or jus drop the sub into the old casing?
Replies
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I'm no expert, so this advice is worth what you paid for it...
Sub pumps are more expensive. As you noted, more powerful per hp because it's easier to push the water uphill as opposed to sucking it up.
Can't tell you which would last longer. A good quality pump should last a long time regardless of type.
If by surge tank you mean a pressure tank, yes, that is still required by a sub pump.
Re casing, you should ask your pump supplier.
Top quality pumps include Grundfos, Jacuzzi, and Myers.
Regards,
Tim Ruttan
For what you're doing, I'd just go with another jet pump. Easy to pipe in, your electical is there, nolo problemo.
If it was for the supply to the house, I'd go with a sub. Quieter, more efficient, all that. Keep the tank, you need it. One advantage of replacing a jet pump (I assume you have two lines down the well, but with only 20 ft lift, you might not) is that you can run the wires through the other line to get them from the house to the well.
Casing doesn't need to be replaced, but will probably have to be modified, so you can hang the pump on the pitless adapter. Depends on how your existing piping is done.
Personally, if you're using it for watering outside, I'd go with a replacement jet pump. Couple hundred bucks, no fuss, no muss. Subs will run you quite a bit once you factor in the cable and stuff. Goulds is a good name in both types.
Thanks all, I've been seesawing but I think you've all tipped the scales....I'll just replace ol Betsy with a new jet pump and call it good.
"in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king..."
Yes, submersibles are more efficient. Grundfos is very good. So is Flint&Wallings and theirs tend to be higher flow, lower pressure (your situation).
But as others have posted, another jet pump would be plug-n-play. And that is worth a lot of bother and $.
Also, getting a higher flow pump, may not get you more water - the well might dewater. You can get a sense of that by gauging it early in the morning before any water use. And then after an hour of watering the lawn. If there is still several feet of water above the pump, then you could get more flow out of it.
Another difference, sub vs jet: The submersible pump always has its lower half (the motor) submerged, so its inlet is 2-3 feet off the bottom of the well. The inlet of a jet pump can be right at the bottom. And with such a shallow well, the additional 2-3 feet of drawdown may (or may not) be critical.
Replacing the jet pump would probably be easier.
I replaced the jet pump on my well (100 ft depth, 20 ft static water level) a couple of years ago but plan on pulling the piping out of the well and replacing with a submersible pump when I get the time to pull all of the piping (down pipe of 1 1/4" galvanized, up pipe of 1 1/2" galvanized).
I bought the submersible pump on sale a year after I bought the jet pump for about the same price (~$200). The jet pump was 3/4 hp while the submersible was 1/2, yet the submersible had a gpm rating that was about 1/3 greater for the depth I figured I would be pumping. The main reason I decided to change was that I thought I was having some problems with the foot valve and would need to pull the piping anyway, plus the pipe had been down the well for about 60 years, so I have no idea as to what shape it happens to be in.
For all but the shallowest wells, the submersible seems to be the way to go.