How to Troubleshoot a 220volt 1HP Well Pump

[@Ellienollie]

I live in Newberry. My water stopped running one day same deal....but I am a little new to all of this stuff and I have no clue whhat to do. Thanks for this video it is helping me. I admire how much you know how to do.

[@stanwardoshiro]

2 suggestions: 1. Handle capacitors (of that voltage and higher) with care. Sometimes they can store a charge for a long period of time. Short the terminals with an insulated screwdriver before touching the metal contacts. 2. Write the date (that you installed or purchased) on the capacitor. So you have an idea of when the last time it was replaced. Not just on the capacitor, but on other components as well (relay, contactor, etc.)

[@fred306801]

I remember having a well pump as a kid. Ever so often it would get a pin hole in the line. So you had to pull out the line and the pump. Patch it and put it back. Odd thing, that was our Christmas tradition. Christmas eve three years in a row. That looks a lot like an air conditioner set up. You got your contacts and your cap's. Last year ours quit. And I do not know anything about such stuff. But I watched several videos. And checked the cap's. Sure enough it was easy to see the one that was bad. It was swollen up like a peace of road kill. So, I took it down to the A/C place and the lady asked me if I knew what I was doing. I said No but that has never stopped me before. She would not sell me the parts. She was afraid I would tare up something else and, or get hurt. Well I got it back together and working. But the more I think about that the funnier it gets. If I had to pay someone to fix everything that is broken. I would be broke really quick. I have learned a lot off of youtube. And No, I don't know what I am doing. IF I did I would be making money. lol JUST FYI watch a lot of video's read the comments. Ask questions, some are better than others.

[@jonascourtney5999]

Hope somebody else also posted to discharge that capacitor even if it is bad to avoid a nasty shock if you touch it... also make sure your connections are tight so it will not burn wires or draw too much current...

[@mariostephaniepaz717]

Thanks for video had some trouble with my pump starter after a heavy storm water keep coming in unit and making capacitor max out one of the legs on the 20 d pole breaker . I'll be replacing unit and installing a box that's weatherproof.

[@JacobMichael75]

Thanks so much for the video; exactly what i was hoping to find. Its nearly Christmas eve came home to no water was able to diagnose that it is my capacitor, well be replacing control panel first thing in the morning confident that will fix the issue.

[@homesteadprepper]

+Jacob Michael Awesome! Thanks for the feedback.

[@RRaucina]

All should be reminded that capacitors usually only die from short/over cycling of the motor due to bad air tanks or undersized ones. 9.6 amps is pretty high for a 1 hp Franklin. I look for 6 to 8 FLA . 6 .5 is typical for a capacitor run box, which is well worth the extra money. "CSCR" . Your box says 8.2 amps and 9.5 [?] FLA so I would do some tests on insulation and windings if you are pulling 9.6 under a normal load.

[@francenegatteny6686]

Thank you sooooo much. It is Christmas eve and my water all of a sudden went off....didn't even think of the pressure switch,which was the issue. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year..

[@dlb83082]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes 60+ psi

[@michaelkeensr.1025]

I will add that industry recognized best practice is to replace both the start capacitor AND start relay if either one fails due the high current load this gentleman mentions. That load will likely damage the other component. My best recommendation is to call a professional with the proper tools to properly diagnose the properly and restore the system to a reliable operating condition. Some manufacturers have a referral option on their web site to help consumers find qualified contractors that have been through factory training.

[@galyien]

Bah, just replace the entire control box

[@doginstine]

Just had to have my pump replaced today. The old one was 40 years old.

[@DH-mf2lv]

If your pressure switch satisfied too quickly, your tank is water logged and needs replacing. (the bladder has a hole in it). That contributed to your capacitor failing.

[@rodgerhatfield3068]

Great video sir!

[@jackwalsh1468]

Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Mate.

[@georgeswca]

Where was this video shot? I'm in SW Florida and also have a 60 foot well. Be safe.

[@bctruck]

Great info! I couldn't quite see the name on that tool with the bits and sockets. Could you mention it by name?

[@homesteadprepper]

Thanks. Apologies, it is a Klein(32535) 10 fold 10 in 1.

[@bctruck]

I have a birthday next month. I know what my wife is gonna get me!! In fact,I'm gonna order it for her!

[@homesteadprepper]

BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose LOL! Happy Birthday young man and may God's Blessings be upon you and your family.

[@prydin]

I’m really curious how a reverse polarity capacitor can make a motor run backwards!

[@jasonmushersee]

Basically like an air compressor, if you run it a lot the cap blows. Had a 240v 3 phase 1/2hp pump/motor with that same control box, nothing but troubles. Now i've got 240v 2 phase, no control box at all and no more problems but i suspect it takes more power because 3 phase is suppose to be 'easier' on the pump motor and should last decades. It's on a 240v 20amp service. One thing i've thought about is changing out the 20amp breaker to a 15amp to save the pump motor. The well company told me i should have a 3/4hp pump for a 82ft well but would'nt that take more power?

[@homesteadprepper]

1 recommendation would to leave the 20 amp breaker where it is. A 3/4hp/220v pump motor will run fine on what you have now. My pump is 1hp and works off of the 2 pole 20 amp breaker I have had in there. 3 phase on wells is a pain in the neck because there is always a constant battle with the phase monitors going bad.

[@vipleather]

jasonmushersee single phase is the proper term. 3 wire 220/240 volt with a start leg. 2 wire 220/240 single phase.

[@MrMawnster]

Cap can be tested with ohm meter setting. don't need that extra cap laying around to plug in.

[@Playgun10]

Great video, thanks! If you don't mind, would you tell me the name and make of that folding black all in one tool? I'd like to look into it.

[@homesteadprepper]

Thank you. I absent mindedness made forget to tell everyone that it is a Klein(32535) 10 fold 10 in 1 tool. It is on Amazon.

[@richardpotetz1702]

Your bad capacitor had a resistor across the terminals. Your replacement capacitor did not. What does that resistor do?

[@hughjass1835]

Allows the capacitor a chance to bleed down after the current to it is cut. Extends the life of the capacitor

[@MandoRdgz]

I bought a control box from lowes about 6 months ago. The capacitor just went bad. replaced it and water pump started working again. My question is: Why did the capacitor go bad so early?

[@homesteadprepper]

The parts being made nowadays are not made to last like they once were.

[@ericgalindo2500]

My control box start smoking what could be? I install another control box and it pops and burn the capacitor..

[@homesteadprepper]

It could be short in the wiring or a bad pump motor.

[@vipleather]

When the pump has to be replaced go with 2wire pump next time and toss capacitor and install a pump tech controller. ,unless you have a low voltage problem. Start capacitors are really used on larger pump motors that are deep in the bowls of this earth.

[@homesteadprepper]

220 volt single phase motors small and large need a capacitor for starting. 3 phase motors do not.

[@vipleather]

That's very true for most but what I was suggesting you replace it with a 2 wire pump which has the capacitor sealed in the pump casing. Three phase is not used in residential homes.

[@homesteadprepper]

That's your opinion but, don't you think that being able to replace the capacitor above the ground like in this video is a much more serviceable option than having to pull the well pump motor and replace the whole motor when the capacitor goes bad? Btw, I have seen 3 phase in residential homes in Tampa, Fl.

[@sheepishmclemmingston5550]

​@@vipleathernah. The creator has it right. Plus 3 wire pumps are MUCH more efficient than 2 wire at moving water with a sizeable head needed to be overcome or great distance, both being the case if your storage tank is close enough to NOT require a jet or booster pump but yet far enough away and on top of a rise thats high enough to strain a 2 wire unnecessarily. Plus, as the creator noted, WAY easier a task popping open a control box and swapping out the capacitor, then having to draw up the pump to have to service it, or in some cases where the capacitor is an integrated, non serviceable component (like they are sometimes In the cheaper 2 wire pumps retailed by Chinese companies oversees you find on Amazon, Alibaba and the like). NOT having to take on a task like drawing your pump to surface (MOST especially if your pump sits somewheres at the 150 ft mark or more down the bore) is a game changer and MUCH worth the few shackles you'll have to shell out in order to procure a controlbox

[@vernonmarlow679]

The BMI Capacitor you installed will last a lot longer than the chinese crap you took out of it. You bought a type 2 standard duty version and there is also a type 1 heavy duty version BMI builds. The HD part number is 091A105B250BD4A if you ever have to install one where there are more frequent starts on the pump.

[@homesteadprepper]

Vernon Marlow Thank you for your input.

[@mireles811]

I just istalled a well pump .... it worked for a few day know it does not work .... what can go wrong in a pump ? I check for my voltage , and its wired to 220 ... from pump to timer and electrical panel.. I dont know how to test the pump >

[@homesteadprepper]

They do have pumps that can be wired 120V or 240V. Check to make sure that the wiring is correct for 240V.

[@zcam1969]

thanks motor mouth

[@DriveShaftDrew]

good vid

[@shanek6582]

Mine kicks the breaker and when I reset it, it will come back on sometimes for a day or just an hour, then kick the breaker again, could it be a bad capacitor?

[@homesteadprepper]

It could be. I would put an amp probe on it and see what the amperage draw is on start up and while it is just running. It could be something simple like the breaker is going bad.

[@shanek6582]

homesteadprepper, thanks for the advice man, hope that’s all it is, going to go buy an amp checker.

[@kennethhall4467]

I found the same box at Ace Hardware for less than $60.

[@Poordirtfarmer]

👀👀👀😁 im a ac guy too 😁

[@shantellamend8986]

I think you need to take some time and go to inplix website to learn how to make it.

[@Poordirtfarmer]

👀👀

[@carmeliaholloway8037]

My pressure switch will not cut off

[@homesteadprepper]

Make double sure the power is OFF, then you can probably pry the contacts open with a screw driver but, most likely, the pressure switch will need to be replaced.

[@tammygurl64]

Hi. 30 years ago I moved a mobile home onto some acreage. My well is nearly 300 feet from my home. I have water lines coming up one side of my driveway and gas lines coming up the other side. I decided to get Charter Spectrum Cable Internet installed and when they came out it had to be treated like new construction. I caught the workers before they started good and told them where my underground utilities are (811 Svc won't mark private property). The construction crew did not listen to me (not sure there wasn't a language barrier) so they dug in exactly the area I told them not to dig and they ended up digging where my water lines and electrical wires are buried 2.5 ft. not to mention they destroyed my driveway and installed the green cylindrical box IN MY DRIVEWAY area I marked as driveway and turnaround. They damaged the wire (grey, flat, heavy duty wiring) going to my submersible pump and scraped my water pipes with their equipment while blindly digging. I am getting water ok now but I am afraid the wire damage will cause a future problem since a small section of wire is no longer insulated with the grey plastic cover. Do you know what kind of damage (OR DANGER) can be caused by this? A Damage claim has been filed with Charter but I haven't met with them yet. I thought it be best to get good info about this so I can be sure it is handled properly and with safety in mind. I took pictures and video the day it happened. I'm really afraid the chunk of wire they broke out will cause an electrical short or something especially if it gets wet in the ground. Can you please tell me what you think? Or maybe direct me to someone online who is qualified to advise me? Thanks you so much for your time!!

[@homesteadprepper]

Document everything and get professional legal advise! Potential danger, YES. open wiring has the potential to kill. Also, bare exposed wiring can jack up what you pay for electric quite a bit if the current starts going into the ground. Your exposed wiring could also shorten the life of your well pump. Ask the company that did the damage to repair it. If they refuse, get it repaired ASAP by a professional, consult with a legal professional.

[@tammygurl64]

homesteadprepper Thanks so much for the advice. I was really concerned about the exposed wire even though it's buried 2.5 ft underground (my long deceased ex-husband was an electrician and built the electrical service panel here). I took video and snapshots when I realized they were digging near my water lines after I told them not to dig there. I just now realized the damage to the wire when I was showing the pics to a friend. I called the cable company the day it was happening but at the time I was concerned about the destruction of my gravel driveway. They said they would fix everything but they don't know about the wire damage. It was mid week before Christmas. It's small but still a chunk of the grey plastic insulation is missing. Do you know if there's a way to fix it properly without running a new length of wire? The existing wire may be as long as 300 feet. Also, do you think it's possible to get electrocuted walking to my mailbox if it's raining and I walk on that side of my driveway where they damaged the wire? Thanks again for your time and advice.

[@homesteadprepper]

Electrocution is possible. I have been shocked by standing on wet ground with wiring as you described. I would talk with your local electrical inspector for an approved method to fix it according to their interpretation of the NEC. He should allow 2 above ground j-boxes to repair the break but, check with he/she first.

[@tammygurl64]

homesteadprepper. Oh wow! I hope you weren't hurt badly. I thought it to be possible but just wanted confirmation from someone with electrical experience. I appreciate your advice and I will definitely contact the County inspections office before I meet next week with the contractors who messed it up. Again, many, many thanks and have a great day! ☺☺☺☺☺

[@kevinyoungblut]

At 60ft your lucky. I'm in Iowa at 148ft.

[@oldtoothlesslion3975]

Thanks. Informative but way too much non related babbling.

[@janetsterno]

pretty careless touching the connectors of any capacitor without discharging it with a screwdriver! you only do that 1 time and a valuable lesson will be learned!

[@wahedminnas7523]

Exac; i did that once and realy shaked my hand, as u said we must discharge elec before we start .

[@wahedminnas7523]

Good job .

[@geekgirl766]

blah blah blah.... not waiting for you to get to the point...

[@homesteadprepper]

+geekgirl766 You should have fast forwarded to 15:22 or maybe, just a thought, you should make your own videos? Short and to the point with very little content?