If there were no water it would yes, but there will always be water to the inlet side in which the impeller sits as the water flows down from the big tank 2m above it. As that tank automatically fills from the well its have to be a chain of failures for something to cause the pump to run dry and thus burn out. I was thinking about it and the flow switch has to be a simple break in the power circuit to the ECU. This whilst there’s no flow the switch is open, as soon as the flow starts the impeller turns (or should do) bulls up the magnetic field as it spins and the switch closes, completing the circuit to the ECU and thus the ECU tells the pump to start running. If I were to bridge the small connectors inside the plug to the flow switch then the circuit would be complete and the ECU would be powered and ready thus when the tap is opened the pressure drops, the plunger moves off the pressure micro switch, completes that part of the circuit and the pump starts. A cunning plan Baldrick, a cunning plan . I shall try it and see what happens
Exactly what I thought when I read your first post. The spindle is sticking and needs a "bump" start which it gets when the water travels downwards under gravity. I used to be a heating designer and installer so I have some knowledge base my opinion on.
Any idea how to unstick permanently? SWMBO’s getting a bit fed up of going out in her dressing gown and giving it a kicking. I strongly suspect it’ll be me getting the kicking soon . Can I bridge the electrical connections on the water flow switch?
Do you drink the water with a high manganese content? It’s not good for you especially if you’re of Celtic descent and yes I’m being serious. Get a filter or drink bottled. Seems like a build up of manganese deposit in the impeller, causing it to stick. Putting the boot in frees it or an increased flow from a different level. You could try filling the pump with white distilled vinegar, maybe hot if you can stand the smell. Certainly a bowl of vinegar in your dishwasher removes stains on a regular cycle. You may have a build up in the pies as well, reducing the flow.
When I say we have a high level of manganese it’s not so high that it exceeds the safe drinking levels (50 micro grams/litre) it’s around 30-35. At 50 it would be noticeably discolouring the water. It’s at levels of 120 or higher it gets dangerous. We have had it tested and it passed but was noted. Its due to high ground levels in the rock around here. The main downside is it can accumulate in plumbing fittings over the years although in this case the pump is only 2 years old. I’m going to fill the pump with vinegar, that’s a good idea and no harm in doing it. It will get into all the nooks and crannies I couldn’t reach, thanks for the suggestion. . I hope all’s good with you and K Sam
Yeah, we’re good thanks. Chemo finished, hair beginning to grow. Hope you both are good too. Let us know how it turns out with the pump. If it doesn’t work Google what else dissolves Manganese in pipes. Hopefully whatever it is won’t dissolve the seals. If you take the pump off could you get a toothbrush in there to clean it. 2 year old pump makes me think even more so that it’s sludge build up making it stick. The boot method made me laugh... but good research.
