…… backup power for well pump that is wired directly into box?

abby normal

insert appropriate adjective here
Our well pump is wired directly into the box at the power pole outside, any ideas how we could rig backup power to it?

This is our first house and our first well, power went out yesterday after a storm knocked a tree down on our power line. Thank God we had a generator to keep our chest freezer and 2 refrigerators going but no power = no water.

Thanks in advance!
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
You are not clear enough with your description of how the pump is wired. There must be a breaker or fuses someplace for the well pump.
Our well pump is wired directly into the breaker box with its own double 20 amp breaker. Is that the way yours is too?
My generator is wired into our main breaker box so it runs everything including our pump.
 

Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
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The simple/safe way is to put a weatherproof outlet at the panel and matching plug on the well feed.

When you need water, drag a genset to the power pole and plug the well into it.

Not the most convenient, but cheapest/safest/easiest.

I'd graft some SO cord on the wire going to the well, and put the plug on that.

The whole thing would be mounted in a weatherproof box, with the cord rolled up in it.

Plug & outlets don't like exposure to the elements.
 

Marie

Veteran Member
Ok folks school me. I have the pipe enough to reach water table and the hand pump. I gather I take the cap off, clean the pipe, run it down the main well pipe, hook up the pump and prime. Is this correct?
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ok folks school me. I have the pipe enough to reach water table and the hand pump. I gather I take the cap off, clean the pipe, run it down the main well pipe, hook up the pump and prime. Is this correct?
Yes that is correct if the water table is 25 feet or less down. Or hook the pump directly to the existing well pipe and drop down nothing.
 

Cardinal

Chickministrator
_______________
OK, the well serves two house, mine and my neighbors (same landlord)
so that is why thee are two, whatevers.1.jpg2.jpg
 

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________

Ku Commando

Inactive
Make sure you know how to prime the well or you'll be pumping freaking forever without getting a drop. Also, there is stuff inside that gizmo that needs replacing on occasion so that you can keep a prime.

File this under things they don't tell you in all those disaster books where stuff just works 'cause you need it to.


It's a nice device.......but I agree w/ you about the spare parts that keep those 20 foot rods connected.


I've got an 80' well w/ a static level at 37 feet.......in a 4 inch pipe. Absolute best way to pull that up w/ no power is fix up a 4-5 foot length of 3 inch PVC with a modified check valve [take the spring out & it'll work w/ gravity] at the bottom of this "tube".......lower it down into the water, fill it up....raise it back out to the surface.

Slow & steady.......but ya got water

Build yer own -- How to build a well bucket

or buy from many suppliers.......WaterBoy is one -- Well WaterBoy Products
wellbucket1.jpg
 

Marie

Veteran Member
It's a nice device.......but I agree w/ you about the spare parts that keep those 20 foot rods connected.


I've got an 80' well w/ a static level at 37 feet.......in a 4 inch pipe. Absolute best way to pull that up w/ no power is fix up a 4-5 foot length of 3 inch PVC with a modified check valve [take the spring out & it'll work w/ gravity] at the bottom of this "tube".......lower it down into the water, fill it up....raise it back out to the surface.

Slow & steady.......but ya got water

Build yer own -- How to build a well bucket

or buy from many suppliers.......WaterBoy is one -- Well WaterBoy Products
wellbucket1.jpg
Unfortunately I have livestock so I need a pump. That spills directly into their tank. I've seen that done before but won't work for my needs. But your way is perfect for just people!
 

Marie

Veteran Member
Make sure you know how to prime the well or you'll be pumping freaking forever without getting a drop. Also, there is stuff inside that gizmo that needs replacing on occasion so that you can keep a prime.

File this under things they don't tell you in all those disaster books where stuff just works 'cause you need it to.
Thanks!
I've done sand points before but I had to special order all this and it just came yesterday after months. I'm too old to be driving standpoints now.
 
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