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13 TROUBLESHOOTING
PUMP WILL NOT FIT INTO YOUR 5" OR 6" DRILLED
WELL CASING: Special elbow fittings are required.
Contact dealer or factory.
PUMP DOESN'T TURN ON/NO POWER: (1) CHECK
FUSE or BREAKER and any control or wiring devices in
line.
PUMP SPINS BUT DOESN'T PUMP WATER: (1) CHECK
DIRECTION of rotation. If not clockwise (viewed from
brass front end) reverse any of the three motor phases.
DO NOT CHANGE THE DC INPUT POLARITY! (2)
CHECK PRIME: Open priming plug or valve (see
instructions). Pour water in. LOSS OF PRIME/INTAKE
PIPE LEAKAGE: CHECK ALL FITTINGS - a pinhole leak
in suction pipe will cause loss. FOOT VALVE may leak.
Inspect, pressure test, clean or replace. Debris may be
stuck in foot valve causing leak ff not protected by fine
screen or intake filter. REGARDING POLYTHYLENE
PIPE FITTINGS: lf pipe does not stretch tightly over
fittings, it may leak. Gently heat with torch or hot water
and retighten hose clamp WITH WRENCH. Replace
stripped clamps. Use ALL STAINLESS clamps.
NOISY PUMP:
NOISE = CAVITATION = RAPID PUMP WEAR
FIX THE PROBLEM!
STEADY SOUND Indicates EXCESSIVE SUCTION due
to any combination of (1) HIGH SUCTION LIFT
pump as low as possible, (2) UNDERSIZED SUCTION
PIPE, (3) CLOGGED FILTER NOTE: Fiber filter
cartridges may be clogged and LOOK CLEAN (fine silt
is hidden within the fibers). (4) CLOGGED INTERNAL
INTAKE SCREEN. See next two entries. (5) SOFT,
FLEXIBLE HOSE used on intake line may be crushed
or kinked by suction -replace with more rigid pipe
material.
UNSTEADY BUZZING SOUND Indicates LEAK IN
SUCTION LINE allowing AIR to enter. (1) Check for
bubbles in inline (transparent) filter or air in outlet
water. (2) See LOSS OF PRIME in above entry. (3) lf you
have INLINE FILTER with red Pressure Relief Valve (red
button) on top, and it is mounted several feet above
water source, air may be drawing in around the valve,
SEAL AROUND THE VALVE with silicone sealant or
epoxy glue OR unscrew the red button and replace it
with a nut, tightened. (4) lf no source of air leakage is
present, water may have high concentration of DIS-
SOLVED GASSES which release as bubbles in suction
pipe. Reduce suction lift if possible. Install air chamber
in intake line, with valve on top. Pour water in to replace
air when problem reappears. (5) Turn filter to a horizon-
tal position. This allows bubbles to get out of the way of
flow. Do NOT turn it upside down, or dirt may fall in
when filter is changed.
NOISE AND VIBRATION IN PIPES (pressure gauge
vibrates wildly): One of four vanes in the pump is
broken. Pump head must be rebuilt
Exchange Service. (There should be almost no vibra-
tion of pressure gauge needle.)
14
FILTER CLOGS FREQUENTLY: (1) INTAKE TOO CLOSE to
bottom of well, stream, tank etc. Raise it as high as
feasible to reduce intake of dirt. (2) IMPROVE DEVEL-
OPMENT of spring channel water into a settling tank,
clean tank periodically. (3) Install a larger filter, or plumb
two filters parallel to each other.
CLOGGED INTAKE SCREEN: Safety screen is located at
the pump intake. Remove large nut (1300 series) to
inspect and clean screen. (1) IF YOU DON'T HAVE A
CARTRIDGE TYPE FILTER, INSTALL ONE NOW! (2) If
screen is clogged with fibers from filter cartridge, use
higher quality cartridges. (3) If screen is clogged with
rust deposits, replace iron pipe or fittings with plastic,
copper or brass. (4) If mineral or corrosion deposits are
clogging screen, install filter as close as possible to
pump intake. Ask local water professionals what type of
pipe is least susceptible to mineral accumulation and
corrosion in your area.
FILTER IS CLOGGED AND YOU DON'T HAVE REPLACE-
MENT: (1) IN LINE FILTER: Purchase common "Rust
and Sediment" fiber wound cartridge at local hardware
store or pump/well supplier. (2) 30" INTAKE FILTER:
Obtain spares from your dealer, factory or industrial
suppliers. In emergency, purchase 3 ordinary 1 10' fiber
filters (not paper) from local source. Glue them end to
end with epoxy and install. (3) TRY BACK WASHING
mount
filter by blasting it with pressure from the inside. For 30"
intake filter, remove check valve and attach garden hose
adapter. Back washing is effective on coarse, sandy
material but is NOT effective with clay, rust, very fine or
sticky deposits.
PURCHASE SPARE FILTERS. NEVER RUN PUMP
WITHOUT A FILTER!
LOW FLOW RATE † PUMP TURNS FAST, DRAWS LOW
CURRENT: Pump is worn out from dirt, rust or other
abrasive particles in water, or from cavitation, from
running dry, or just from age. REPLACE PUMP HEAD.
BOOSTER PUMP TAKES LONG TIME TO REACH CUT
OFF PRESSURE: (1) If pump spins fast, see above entry.
(2) If pump rotation slows way down as pressure
builds, wire is too small. Consult low voltage wire size
chart or ask your dealer for correct wire size.
LOW FLOW RATE - PUMP TURNS SLOW, DRAWS HIGH
CURRENT (may run hot, may blow fuses): Pump is hard
to turn due to: (1) EXCESSIVE VERTICAL LIFT, beyond
system's capacity: Trade pump head for lower volume
model, or increase size of solar array if it will not
overpower the motor -see Specifications Chart. (2)
MINERAL DEPOSITS: Turn shaft with two fingers. Will
be hard to turn. Use vinegar, or whatever solution works
to dissolve the mineral deposits in your plumbing.
Remove pipes from pump and allow solution to
circulate through pump by turning it backwards. If this
doesn't work, or if pump has been damaged, replace or
See Rebuild/
rebuild.
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