How a Well Pump Pressure Switch Works. Diagnosis and Repair.

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  • Опубликовано: 16 янв 2025

Комментарии • 201

  • @EnvyisRandom
    @EnvyisRandom Год назад +19

    "I can buy a new one, but, I like fixing things and understanding how they work." That has been me my whole life, thank you for this very informative video. Now to see if this is the reason why my pump isn't working.

    • @pokethumb4215
      @pokethumb4215 4 месяца назад

      Certainly seems the world has less and less of people with this mindset.

  • @vipercam1785
    @vipercam1785 2 года назад +12

    As a master plumber you hit it right on the nail good going keep up the good work and keeping your videos real like you do

  • @ChaosPootato
    @ChaosPootato 3 года назад +3

    There's nothing more satisfying than fixing your shit. Especially when the solution ends up being this simple. Beautifully done sir

  • @matthewboyd3297
    @matthewboyd3297 2 года назад +4

    For someone who has 10 Wells And have never had the opportunity to dismantle a pressure switch, I found this video quite helpful. Thank you

  • @TheVintagePoetess
    @TheVintagePoetess 10 месяцев назад +3

    "Schmoo" is now added to my vocabulary 😂. I absolutely love that word. Great video! I'm new to wells and this helped my old pressure switch feel less intimidating. Thanks so much!

  • @larrydraper9544
    @larrydraper9544 2 года назад +2

    Great Job, Simple fix at no cost. I at one time worked at factory that made this type switch and thousand of other types and Relays. They made all quality level from cheap to nasa grade. I had old well pump have contractor points sticking do to wear and age. The guys in shop said bring it in and they would replace it with Gold contact points. Never had another problem till I replaced pump.Years later. Thanks for all videos .

  • @johannestejder4469
    @johannestejder4469 3 года назад +18

    ”One day the zombieapocalypse might come”
    Love it!
    My usual saying is, well being a swedish person makes it more understandable, ”when the russians attack you need to know how things work so you can repair them”
    Love your videos!

  • @akquicksilver
    @akquicksilver 3 года назад +2

    As a retired millwright and life long DIY GUY, I think I have found my new favorite non cooking RUclipsr.

  • @ohasis8331
    @ohasis8331 3 года назад +21

    It's interesting how one can derive a great deal of satisfaction from something as simple as understanding and fixing this sort of thing.

  • @mkolorz
    @mkolorz Год назад

    Thanks for doing this video. I also was lucky to have discovered that my pressure switch had failed and my pump was not cutting off. While I replaced mine, your video helped me figure out why exactly it was malfunctioning. Most videos about pump pressure switches involve the pump not turning on.

  • @keithlincoln1309
    @keithlincoln1309 2 года назад +4

    I love how you explain how things work...in all your videos. Thank you

  • @paulsmith4318
    @paulsmith4318 3 года назад +8

    Thanks for the video, saved me a bunch of time. I too like to take things apart and fix but it helps to know what im getting into first. Your video confirmed my suspicions of what was wrong since i'm constantly cleaning out the sediment filters.

  • @burrdock2
    @burrdock2 Год назад +2

    Hahah! Loved the "....and you'll be eating brains" comment! Laughed out loud. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

  • @CountryLivingExperience
    @CountryLivingExperience 3 года назад

    Whew, glad I will now be able to fix my switch instead of eating brains! Insightful video, thanks!

  • @heninphilippe
    @heninphilippe 2 года назад +3

    Thank you! I think I am having the exact same problem and was looking for some confirmation that I had identified the problem correctly. Your video was perfect, thanks for having taken the time to make it.

  • @gysbertvanderwesthuizen8011
    @gysbertvanderwesthuizen8011 Год назад

    Good Video, as usual. Im actually busy installing a new pump and switch, for the first time, and this is going to help with the settings. Thanks John!

  • @johndii2194
    @johndii2194 2 года назад

    I learned to do that when I was in the 4th grade. We moved to a house with a well. My father and I did that many times through the years. It might be a good time to do it again before it screws up in the middle of the night and causes a flood. If you buy a new switch and clean out the old one you will have a spare for the future. The pump we started out with was not in the well. When it would take a long time to fill the tank we would dismantle the pump and clean out the impellors and housing when they clogged up with the same stuff. We also learned about water-tight ceramic bushings in water pumps too. I found them to be remarkable.

    • @sandrarichardson2713
      @sandrarichardson2713 2 года назад

      Hi John D II Your comment is something I would love to try to do. Except I would have to have a new pump up and running while I clean out the old one. Do you have a video on doing something like that?
      Also, I live in the south and it gets really hot and humid and I wonder if there is black, slick sort of mold or something that grows in the pvc or maybe the check valve. I find it comes through sometimes in the ice maker or dishwasher (not heavily, just flecks). I try to stay on top of it by putting a certain amount of bleach in the holding tank for the well ever so often. Is there a way to clean the check valve on the well?
      Thanks for your reply if you get a chance....know everyone is really busy. Jesus bless.

  • @tomfortson2684
    @tomfortson2684 3 года назад +4

    Nice job on the "Well-troll" switch. I had one on my well pmp, and had to replace it a couple of times over 30 years, but my problem was spiders committing suicide across the switch points.. That arcing destroyed the points.

    • @glenpaul3606
      @glenpaul3606 2 года назад +2

      Had similar problem with a well pump, only it was ants not spiders causing the problem. Why insects build nests around electrical current is a mystery.

    • @oldfashionedmusic
      @oldfashionedmusic Год назад +1

      i have also had same problems with ants and spiders .
      but mostly ants and after bad wind and rain storm in central florida they build up

  • @Rickbearcat
    @Rickbearcat 3 года назад +5

    You might have way better videos than this one, but this one was pretty darned interesting to me. You did a fine presentation of the problem, how it worked, and the solution. All in under 13 minutes.

  • @americanschweitzer45
    @americanschweitzer45 3 года назад +1

    I absolutely love watching your videos! Especially because when the zombie apocalypse happens and my family and I take over the nearest compound I’ll know how to keep things working!
    Seriously though I appreciate your knowledge and willingness to figure things out keep up the great work!

    • @RealDeanWinchester
      @RealDeanWinchester 3 года назад +1

      I have a 1500 sq ft bunker 20 feet below ground near the cabin in the pines cafe. You should try to take it.

    • @americanschweitzer45
      @americanschweitzer45 3 года назад

      @@RealDeanWinchester thanks for the info!

    • @RealDeanWinchester
      @RealDeanWinchester 3 года назад

      @@americanschweitzer45 😉

  • @MilSurpCat
    @MilSurpCat 3 года назад +7

    The clicking and movement is very satisfying.

    • @kimba8953
      @kimba8953 9 месяцев назад

      "what's that clicking noise?" (see henry cho comedy skit)

  • @not2fast4u2c
    @not2fast4u2c 3 года назад +2

    You did Good finding the problem and fixing it I always say a mechanic should know how to repair something broken Not just be a Parts Replacement Guy

  • @twwtb
    @twwtb 2 года назад +1

    My first visit to the old farm, half the power is out due to the collapsed barn taking down some of the wires including the circuit that powers the house basement lights (super spooky down there without lights) and the well pump. Next visit, when I fix the wires, I will know what to look for when I power up the well. Very cool.
    I think that's called, "hysteresis" or "dead-band" when there is a gap between turn-off and turn-on.

  • @selador11
    @selador11 3 года назад +6

    So what was the mysterious fuzzy object that went flying when you removed the diaphragm pan?

  • @USMC-is4om
    @USMC-is4om 3 года назад

    You could put the pressure switch in you basement after your sediment filter. Just an idea. Good content. Really enjoy it. Keep up the great work!

    • @David-uy4jz
      @David-uy4jz 3 года назад +1

      Really bad idea to install a filter before the pressure switch and pressure tank. Very bad idea.

  • @jbird4474
    @jbird4474 11 месяцев назад

    Curiosity is the key to intelligence! I was asking one specific question. Thank you! You answered a multitude of questions and some i didn't know i had! Subscribing!

  • @billymarkwell1105
    @billymarkwell1105 Год назад

    I thank you for this video.........I've been looking all over youtube for this information...........my switch is malfunctioning......... it switches on and off continuously..............your video was very helpful..........

  • @mrtbrocks5664
    @mrtbrocks5664 10 месяцев назад

    Your presentation is as funny as it is instructional. Thanks!

  • @hewittmcelroy3711
    @hewittmcelroy3711 5 месяцев назад

    This has been very helpful on so many levels! Thank you!

  • @legitimatebridges2761
    @legitimatebridges2761 6 месяцев назад

    Great lesson on where not to put a pressure switch. At least after a filter to avoid dirt into the switch

  • @spud4ever290
    @spud4ever290 3 года назад +2

    Never looked inside a pressire switch before - thanks .

  • @rebfurr3554
    @rebfurr3554 2 года назад

    Great video! It was interesting to see how the switch works. I'm having similar problems with a switch on my pressure tank and this was a great resource. Thanks for the help and the great humor!

  • @donniehopkins8439
    @donniehopkins8439 2 года назад

    Thank you brother for the tip. Just hate being at the mercy of contractors who can’t get there for two days.

  • @sirhawkjames
    @sirhawkjames Год назад

    wow wow wow wow thank you so much. you probably saved my stuff from being destroyed.

  • @DeadRising95
    @DeadRising95 2 года назад +3

    I've ran into the exact same issue! Thanks so much for going into detail this 😀

  • @Watchyn_Yarwood
    @Watchyn_Yarwood 3 года назад

    Good to know! And I hope you filed those contacts!

  • @barrywise2773
    @barrywise2773 3 месяца назад

    Excellent. The Best video I have seen. Thanks !

  • @honthirty_
    @honthirty_ 3 года назад

    You DO have better videos, BUT this is a very useful for us new to pumps.

  • @Azguella
    @Azguella 3 года назад +3

    Other people "pressure switch not working time to get new one"
    farmcraft "pressure switch not working? THATS FREE CONTENT"

  • @monoralph1375
    @monoralph1375 3 года назад

    I have cleaned out pressure switch a few times. I keep a cleaned spare to allow a quick exchange of switches. Added a compression fitting under the switch to allow easy removal from the piping. I don't wait for a problem, just part of well maintenance.

  • @AfricanSouthernCross
    @AfricanSouthernCross 3 месяца назад

    Very instructive video, thank you for uploading, I learnt something today 😀

  • @SkyfallLodge
    @SkyfallLodge 3 года назад +4

    You could add a pressure relief valve and pipe it to a spray nozzle that way when it over pressures it sprays straight up and you can visually tell when the switch has failed.

    • @kossgroupllc9196
      @kossgroupllc9196 3 года назад

      Maybe with a second pressure switch that switches on a buzzer or flashing light- the cover over the well, would stop you from knowing a pressure relief valve alone was venting...

    • @David-uy4jz
      @David-uy4jz 3 года назад

      Neat idea, but when it gets stopped up, not only will the pressure get really high, it'll also get really low to non existent for a few minutes before it comes back on. So instead of spraying water everywhere, you'll know when it gets stopped up when your pressure drops low before switch comes back on

  • @2artactical55
    @2artactical55 2 года назад +1

    Thanks man! Very informative! I'm having the same problem.

  • @edwinportier4763
    @edwinportier4763 2 года назад

    I agree, I love repairing things and will try to repair anything first. Also, my well had an issue and burned the pump and motor up. It got so hot, the water coming our was hot and it normally is ice cold.

  • @relaxingnature2617
    @relaxingnature2617 2 года назад

    Thanks for the video ..this helped me understand about the diaphragm clogging problem

  • @Synistercrayon
    @Synistercrayon Год назад

    Just the vid that I needed. Excellent work!

  • @Winteryears
    @Winteryears 2 года назад +1

    Very cool. It pays to stay curious. It used to be that one could buy all the little parts to a pressure switch. Diaphragms, springs and contacts. The price was negligible and a switch would last decades with a little maintenance. No more.

  • @glenpaul3606
    @glenpaul3606 2 года назад

    Very interesting. Glad you found and fixed the problem. How is the other well?

  • @bobbygzzz7116
    @bobbygzzz7116 5 месяцев назад

    Thanks for video....I have a 25 yr old house well system...2 yrs ago...I changed well tank....but never change to new pressure switch..now it's acting up..we have alot rust iron in water...so prob I'll clogged up like urs...I got to change out...

  • @movingman07
    @movingman07 Год назад

    Nice video thanks for the explanation. I have a well and 8ts the first home i owned with a well and of course my switch stop working last week i was getting stuck and the pressure tank was bad so i had to have both of them replaced.

  • @lufia1624
    @lufia1624 2 года назад

    This is exactly the video i needed. Thank you.

  • @_aullik
    @_aullik 3 года назад +16

    I imagine you checked the other one aswell? You might want to install an electronic pressure gage that gives off an alarm when it gets too high. This way you do have some redundancy in case of failure.

  • @RyeOnHam
    @RyeOnHam 3 года назад +1

    I am reminded of a compound bow where it takes a good amount of energy to pull back, but then less to hold it at full draw.

  • @ModernOffGridDIY
    @ModernOffGridDIY 23 дня назад

    Good video thanks for sharing

  • @corywillbanks6348
    @corywillbanks6348 2 года назад +3

    You can use either a “pump saver” or an “mp8000” made by littelfuse, they are designed to monitor the current draw of your pump and if the current draw goes above normal (I.e. locked up motor or overpressure) or below normal (I.e. dry well or broken pipe) it will trip and save your pump/motor.

  • @paulmcgraw8195
    @paulmcgraw8195 3 года назад

    Very interesting thanks I now know a little bit more about my well saw you on Kevin's channel

  • @joshredding9588
    @joshredding9588 3 года назад

    thx for explaining that process! A small amount of heat proof grease massaged into that rubber diaphragm, probably wouldn't hurt it kind sir. Loved the vid! THX!

  • @yveshermans3532
    @yveshermans3532 Год назад +1

    Fixed mine today same problem thanks ,,i did it your way

  • @gregevans6741
    @gregevans6741 3 года назад

    Excellent video, on how to....
    Thanks for sharing

  • @jhulin9018
    @jhulin9018 2 года назад +2

    My well piping has a Tee at the top where it exits the casing. One leg is towards the pump, another leg towards the tank and the 3rd leg is to a 75psi relief valve to prevent the pipe from over-pressure in just such a scenario as what you had (pressure switch does not open). So you may want to consider installing a relief valve.

  • @Doc832
    @Doc832 4 месяца назад

    Good stuff and detail was great.

  • @balagruveloo9950
    @balagruveloo9950 Год назад

    Excellent explanation

  • @makemeafirewall
    @makemeafirewall Год назад

    Love hearing you say Shmoo 😁

  • @markgriz
    @markgriz 3 года назад +1

    Had this exact same problem, the entire pressure tube was filled with what looked like rusty mud. At that point, I had already replaced my pressure switch with a new one, because it was only $20 or so, and I didn't want to be without water while I tried fixing it or worse, broke it. But if it happens again, I'll definitely try cleaning out the schmoo first

  • @SaneLucas
    @SaneLucas Год назад

    super appreciate this video ... now i have the feeling i can do ours.. im sure its also clogged as it seems to stick on.. thank you..

  • @bradencole8850
    @bradencole8850 3 года назад +1

    A very common problem on wells. We clean the nipples between the switch and the pipe every time we work on a well. We have had some that we took a drill bit to clean them out due to not having replacement fittings and need to get the water back on.

  • @stevenc6256
    @stevenc6256 3 года назад

    Super lesson and explaination, Thanks

  • @nuvuefl33037
    @nuvuefl33037 Год назад

    Thank you! It fixed my problem.

  • @noanyobiseniss7462
    @noanyobiseniss7462 3 года назад +10

    That pitted area is probably where all the clogging material came from (acts as a binder for the sand) so if you treat it and then seal it (epoxy coating) then add an inline filter you should be good to go for the foreseeable future.
    As it sits now its going to start corroding again immediately, the coating is gone, you could electroplate it as well to proof it back up.

    • @David-uy4jz
      @David-uy4jz 3 года назад +1

      All that needed to be done was remove pressure switch and jab a Phillips head up into pressure switch to open the hole. And you shouldn't put a filter in before the switch. No filter or cut off valve or anything should be installed between the pump and the tank. Cut off valves or filters should only be installed after the tank before feeding the house.

    • @TTS-TP
      @TTS-TP 3 года назад

      It is quite possible that you could purchase diaphragms from the manufacturer. Just depends which one

  • @daveparker839
    @daveparker839 3 года назад +3

    Love your attitude towards fixing vs. replacing. Do you think a well pump would just sit deadheaded and burn itself up? I would think it would have a bypass bleed port like a sump pump does, but I don’t really know.

    • @David-uy4jz
      @David-uy4jz 3 года назад +2

      Yes they will.......most will endure the punishment for a good while, but it will eventually burn em up....some faster than others

  • @zaz4667
    @zaz4667 9 месяцев назад

    4:25 Shmooo? LOL! Eating brains! Thanks for showing us how this works before I open up my switch!

  • @springer2112
    @springer2112 3 года назад +2

    What happened to the piece that went flying? ✌😎🏴‍☠️

    • @FarmCraft101
      @FarmCraft101  3 года назад

      It's in the next shot. It's the metal piece that the diaphragm pushes on. ;-)

    • @springer2112
      @springer2112 3 года назад +1

      @@FarmCraft101 ok, cool. I thought it was a screw or a small spring that was missing when you put it back together. Thanks for the info, video makes 100% more sense to me now!✌😎🏴‍☠️

  • @danblack4329
    @danblack4329 2 года назад

    Great video! Well done!

  • @12ramort
    @12ramort 2 года назад

    Great and informative video! My less than a year old Drummond shallow well pump and tank pressure switch turns on and off like you mentioned. Any idea what I can look at?

  • @aaronrickard4675
    @aaronrickard4675 2 года назад

    Great video I suspect this is what's wrong with mine I'll have to check it out 👍

  • @drmkiwi
    @drmkiwi 3 года назад

    Good stuff, thanks. That seesaw action looks very familiar with some light switches we have in Aus/NZ, may be for the smooth action?. (Hopefully more frequent on the maintenance - but I know what you meant!) Cheers, David

  • @oliefan3722
    @oliefan3722 3 года назад +1

    Did you call a C-Wrench a "Nut rounder"?

  • @kt6al
    @kt6al 2 года назад

    Thank you so much! You saved me from eating brains! And from buying a pressure switch.

  • @Wordsnwood
    @Wordsnwood 3 года назад

    how bad was the one on the other well?

  • @Rottrsq
    @Rottrsq 9 месяцев назад

    Enjoy all your videos & as a DIY'r myself on a horse ranch in Colorado, yeah you better be self-sufficient, or you will be calling someone every month. I completely understand your interest in "knowing how something works," I really do. However, the pressure switch on the well pump should have been replaced - JMHO - after you completely cleaned and serviced it of course. I too have tried to reuse old plumbing fixtures/unions/you name it, only to have a leak or other issue crop up shortly thereafter. My pressure switch controls and saves my pump from overheating and failure. My well is 895ft deep and I have no way to service/replace the large 3hp 10 gal per-min pump myself. I jsimply cannot risk a $3k pump (plus the labor) even on a rebuild as well done as your two-decade old pressure switch. When a new pressure switch runs $21. The risk to save $21 is too much for me. But of course, after the rebuild I would save it in my pump supply box as a backup or for a neighbor. One last consideration, here in CO - stuff goes bad at the most inopportune times, like during a blizzard when there is 2ft of snow on the ground. One final comment - the digging of the large pine tree tap-root with a small excavator so you can mow. I have hundreds of ponderosa pines on my property, I take them down frequently - pines all have tap-roots. If the stumps bother me, (99% do not) I rent a stump-grinder. Hey what a cool project idea! Find an old stump grinder and rebuild it. Be safe & keep fighting the perversity o inanimate objects!

  • @accidentalengineering
    @accidentalengineering 3 года назад +1

    How about adding a secondary pressure switch in series? In case one clogs, the other could still cut off the pump. Or maybe a time delay switch?

    • @David-uy4jz
      @David-uy4jz 3 года назад

      Not really possible. The electricity has to travel through the switch. For a back up switch to work, the wires would have to be switched over to the back up switch.

    • @CGT80
      @CGT80 Год назад +1

      I think it would work. The switches would have to be wired in series. The first switch would work from 30-50 psi and the secondary could be set to something higher, maybe 60 to 90 psi. As long as the pressure stays below 60 psi, the second switch will keep power connected because the pressure is not up to the set point yet. If the first switch failed, the pressure would go high enough to shut off the second switch. The settings might be able to overlap as well. I also thought about a pressure releif valve and a nozzle to spray into the air as a visual warning. The other option is a pressure limit switch and a contactor that is normally closed, although NC contactors are less common.

  • @pokethumb4215
    @pokethumb4215 4 месяца назад

    I bought a new switch, now I'm just watching this for educational purposes.

  • @sandrarichardson2713
    @sandrarichardson2713 2 года назад

    Hi there---I subscribed to you for something else you helped with that I was trying to understand. So thanks for that.
    Added question to this type of clean out----do you have a check valve on that system that would need cleaning out as well? I get some kind of black flecks in my ice maker or dishwasher sometimes and don't know where it is coming from except the well. Have tried adding bleach to the holding tank but not really wanting to have bleach in my water.
    Thanks for your help if you have time. Jesus bless.

  • @williamwilliams7706
    @williamwilliams7706 3 года назад +1

    Do like my do-it-yourself neighbor and fit the pvc together with out glue, just primer. Built in pressure relief valve.

  • @overall999
    @overall999 3 года назад

    Would a prefilter help with all the "Shmoo"? Or is the switch a sacrificial part?

    • @David-uy4jz
      @David-uy4jz 3 года назад +1

      Really bad idea to put a filter in the system before the pressure switch. You should always install a filter in the system after it leaves the tank feeding the house.

  • @kareneverett4290
    @kareneverett4290 Месяц назад

    I think you may have just solved my "waterless" situation. We have a very high iron content in the well water in my area. I'm going to give it a try.😁

  • @RMyren
    @RMyren 3 года назад

    I would like to see you buy a ultrasonic cleaner! I've only been watching your videos for 2 days and you encounter a problem where you need one multiple times in all videos I've seen until now :-)

  • @Highstranger951
    @Highstranger951 3 года назад +1

    Also, the spring breaks the circuit fast to minimize arcing the contacts

  • @nosajeel99
    @nosajeel99 2 года назад

    Super helpful.

  • @Locane256
    @Locane256 3 года назад

    That was great I really liked that

  • @donmittlestaedt1117
    @donmittlestaedt1117 3 года назад

    I like practical. Thanks.

  • @WoLpH
    @WoLpH 3 года назад

    Sounds like you should invest into an overpressure valve as well. It might not fix your issue but at least it would protect your pump :)

  • @ronaldd.1355
    @ronaldd.1355 10 месяцев назад

    I have one of this pressure switch 20/40psi, but I use a 180w 12v solar water pump (non submersible), and it only pushes up to 20psi. What modification do I have to use for a very little differential? say 3 or no more than 10 psi (differential)? Thanks in advance. I have both screws all backed off

  • @jimbolton2513
    @jimbolton2513 3 года назад

    love your videos

  • @luisvillalobos6517
    @luisvillalobos6517 2 года назад

    Swimming pool pump motors have a similar mechanism to disengage the start windings and go to the run windings. There is a video that explains it, I will look for a link and add it after I finish watching this.

  • @blainecelestaine4543
    @blainecelestaine4543 20 дней назад

    Thanks for this

  • @watcherofwatchers
    @watcherofwatchers 3 года назад

    Do you have to worry about that PVC freezing where you are? I do see that you have a bunch of insulation tucked in there.
    We're about to do some work to an unused irrigation well on our property, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I bring the people who are supposed to know what they're doing out.

    • @FarmCraft101
      @FarmCraft101  3 года назад

      Yes, it would freeze if not for that insulation.

  • @cameratool
    @cameratool 3 года назад +1

    Shouldn't your pressure tank and hot water heater have fail safe pressure-relief valves that vent at ~100psi and ~150psi?

    • @FarmCraft101
      @FarmCraft101  3 года назад

      Good point. Maybe they would have alerted me to the problem and saved the pump. Not sure.

  • @Mankan569
    @Mankan569 3 года назад +2

    An important detail is missing in the installation. Compared to my I have in (Sweden) An overpressure valve that trips when the pressure becomes higher than the preset pressure in the pressure switch. How to note it? 🤔 It sprays water from just hell and then the pressure switch gets wet and the fuse goes😂😬😬

  • @senorjp21
    @senorjp21 3 года назад +5

    Deadband between on and off is hysteresis