On 5/29/2018 7:40 PM, Woodworking Smarter wrote:
Hello,
Q-1: We have a 1.5hp, 230v well pump at around 360ft. I was in the pump room today and the pressure switch kicked in. There was a slight humming and no pressure increase for about ten seconds. The humming suddenly got a little louder and the pressure started rising.
I have checked things as recommended on the Franklin control box sticker and all measure OK.
Anyone care to offer ideas on what might be going on? Should we be saving up for a $700 pump pull? Four well companies around here and they all seem think that's a fair price for two hours work. New pump about four years back for $1400!
Q-2: I am thinking of changing over to polypipe so we can lift and lower it ourselves. The pump has a stainless steel cable running down with the wires so I am thinking I may be able to use that with an electric winch then man-handle the polypipe into a large coil as it comes out.
I believe the polypipe can handle the depth/pressure but all the well people I talk to here want me to stay with the 21' or 25' lengths so they can rob us blind pulling it I suspect. 
Anyone care to offer some ideas on that? preferably from personal experience.
Q-3: Kenmore softener is not softening so I checked the resin. The container is near full of a sand-resin mix. The resin looks in god shape and about 50-50 mix with the sand.
The bottom and top strainer baskets in the resin are not clogged as I can siphon water out and pour it back in quite fast. Previous owner must had run it without filters, bummer. I can post a pic of the mix, but the little gold balls look like they may still do some work. Or will they?
I have pulled it from the plumbing but the boss is not happy with the taste of real filtered water. LOL
Anyone care to leap in here?
Thank you all.
Walt
Hi Walt,
I could type a lot of my own experiences with well pump personal
experiences over the past 38 years or so, but, to save time typing
I will just give you a pointer on maybe why you noticed the delay
in pressure rise once the contact engaged.
The check valve at the pump is most likely leaking. Meaning
that from that depth and no water or pressure in the pipe it
takes 10 seconds or so to get the water up.
When I was replacing my pump a number of years ago I was at
the local hardware store. The owner was Harry and Harry was
a retired plumber. And he said "Take it form a old plumber,
the pump has an internal check valve. I ALWAYS installed a
second and sometimes a third directly above the pump. That
way if one should ever fail, you will still have a check
valve that will work."
Today there are TWO(2) check valves above my pump and it has
been down at least 28 years or so. So I am at least good
until I send this posting...........................
Hope that helps.
BTW Harry has since passed, I miss that old plumber.
Les