Which Pressure switch for 4 inch well
 

The SquareD pressure switch for my well pump is becoming flaky, either
sticking on or not coming back on. I checked Grainger for a replacement
and it appears that the current switch is a commercial job SquareD 9013
GSG2, 30-50 cut off. This switch sells for 56 bucks at Graingers, while
a standard model (FSG2) with the same spec is only about 18 dollars.
This pump and well is now used primarily for home use, although in the
past it was used for some irrigation. Do I really need the expensive
commercial model or will I be OK with the standard model.
--
! Jim Katz

"Jim Katz" wrote in message
...
The SquareD pressure switch for my well pump is becoming flaky, either
sticking on or not coming back on. I checked Grainger for a replacement
and it appears that the current switch is a commercial job SquareD 9013
GSG2, 30-50 cut off. This switch sells for 56 bucks at Graingers, while
a standard model (FSG2) with the same spec is only about 18 dollars.
This pump and well is now used primarily for home use, although in the
past it was used for some irrigation. Do I really need the expensive
commercial model or will I be OK with the standard model.

You could try removing the old switch and cleaning the passages that allow
the pressure into the switch. You can also clean the contacts by filing them
lightly with a fine, thin file (some fingernail files would work) or
sandpaper.

Bob

Hi Bob,
I'm afraid that's not a realistic proposition. There is a fair amount
of iron in this well and those passages are probably packed with hard
scale. Considering the amount of time and effort to remove the switch,
it's cheaper to buy even the more expensive commercial model, than to
take it off and replace it again when the first fix fails. If I lived in
a 3rd world country and the nearest replacement was months away, I would
definitely do this. However, as it hasn't failed completely yet, right
now I just need some info on the capability of the standard switch
versus the commercial version.

Thanks,

Jim

PS Yes, I even have a genuine points file, but I suspect after one pass
over those industrial grade contacts which carry 230 volts, they'd be
useless. Filing points on breaker sets only worked when there were no
replacements handy, it usually led to a faster demise of said breaker
points.

Bob wrote:

"Jim Katz" wrote in message
...
The SquareD pressure switch for my well pump is becoming flaky, either
sticking on or not coming back on. I checked Grainger for a replacement
and it appears that the current switch is a commercial job SquareD 9013
GSG2, 30-50 cut off. This switch sells for 56 bucks at Graingers, while
a standard model (FSG2) with the same spec is only about 18 dollars.
This pump and well is now used primarily for home use, although in the
past it was used for some irrigation. Do I really need the expensive
commercial model or will I be OK with the standard model.

You could try removing the old switch and cleaning the passages that allow
the pressure into the switch. You can also clean the contacts by filing them
lightly with a fine, thin file (some fingernail files would work) or
sandpaper.

Bob

--
! Jim Katz

Jim Katz wrote:

Hi Bob,
I'm afraid that's not a realistic proposition. There is a fair amount
of iron in this well and those passages are probably packed with hard
scale. Considering the amount of time and effort to remove the switch,
it's cheaper to buy even the more expensive commercial model, than to
take it off and replace it again when the first fix fails. If I lived in
a 3rd world country and the nearest replacement was months away, I would
definitely do this. However, as it hasn't failed completely yet, right
now I just need some info on the capability of the standard switch
versus the commercial version.

Well, w/ that viewpoint why even consider it when you're only talking
something on the order of $35 difference?

Personally, can't imagine an installation that would be more than an
hour job to replace the sample line to the switch and the info you've
given and just corroborated indicates it may not be the switch itself
that's at fault, anyway...

According to Jim Katz :
Hi Bob,
I'm afraid that's not a realistic proposition. There is a fair amount
of iron in this well and those passages are probably packed with hard
scale. Considering the amount of time and effort to remove the switch,
it's cheaper to buy even the more expensive commercial model, than to
take it off and replace it again when the first fix fails. If I lived in
a 3rd world country and the nearest replacement was months away, I would
definitely do this. However, as it hasn't failed completely yet, right
now I just need some info on the capability of the standard switch
versus the commercial version.

My well also has a fair amount of iron. It took 10 minutes to pull
the small tube off both nipples, blow/ream it, and put it back on.

No fussing with the pressure switch/internals/contactors required.

Given that it took 20 years, and a well downline removal/reinstall
(because the injector head rusted out) to provoke this, it'll last
another 20 years just fine.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.