Pump ran dry for a long time - should I replace?

Question

This is for our drinking water/household plumping system:

I have 1HP 220v surface mount jacuzzi brand jet pump (model S1CY-S) that pumps from a cistern (cistern bottom is about 8+ feet below the height of the pump). The pump needs to pump up 15' to reach the first floor and another 10' to reach the 2nd floor.

House has 2 full bathrooms (but with showers only), washer, dishwasher (not used often) - all sinks/faucets are fairly low/efficient water users...

The pump ran dry on 4 occasions overnight over the course of the last year or so... had to replace bent/melted pipes each time. (ran w/out water for 8-10 hours each time) as we never used to have a shutoff float-valve switch. We now have the auto-shutoff when the cistern runs dry.

The pump now seems a lot louder than it used to be and runs more often. I think our pressure/water storage tank is about 50 gallons.

Questions:
Should I look into replacing the impeller? Should I inspect them first? how do I do so?
Should I just replace the entire pump? It is a jacuzzi jet pump and is 1HP and runs on 220 right now. We live in an area where electricity is VERY costly and for a year I haven't been able to figure out why our electrical bill is so high. I'd love to go smaller to save on electrical, but don't want to affect water pressure in the house - I like nice strong pressure.

Is there such thing as a high efficiency pump I could buy to help with electrical costs?

thoughts?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes you should replace your pump. Over heating can cause internal damage and will cause excessive wear on the pump causing it ti run more frequently and raise your electric bill.





Sorry it took me so long to see your notes. I am supplying a link to Wellmaster J class pumps they are one of the best and quietest on the market for the price. Best of luck.

http://wellmasterpumps.com/j-class-pumps/

Answer 2

The noise you hear is probably the mechanical seal worn and could possibly be worn into the shaft of the motor. The seals are water cooled and will burn out relatively fast if the pump runs dry. I doubt your impeller was harmed. The pump motor bearings could also have taken damage just from the pump running too hot. You would need to tear the pump down and do an inspection to find out exactly what is worn. There are certainly high efficiency motors and pumps if you were to replace the entire unit but the savings would depend on how inefficient your existing one is. The HP of the pump you have sounds sized correctly and I wouldn't downsize it if I were you.

Answer 3

I would certainly suggest that you just replace the pump. Most of these pumps use ceramic seals behind the motor shaft, which, when run dry for even a comparatively short time, overheat and crack. This frequently leads to leakage where the motor meets the pump itself. They certainly aren't cheap, but I'm afraid you'd start in messing with the old one and by the time you do the disassembly, diagnose the problem, obtain the parts that need to be replaced, and actually get them installed properly, you'd tally up near the price of a new unit and have spent a good amount of your time dealing with it. Other choice, buy new pump, put it on, turn it on, done!

Answer 4

sounds like a check valve will solve your problem . When the pump turns off you want to keep water in it.since your supply is below the pump it drains everytime its shut off and just sucks air when comes on . the pumps are not designed to run dry and you burning the bearings out, thus the noise. the check valve should be place as close to the supply as possible and a new pump will last for years . In case you dont know what a check valve is it only allows water to travel in one direction so when you turn the pump off the flow stops and all the water above the C valve remains in the lines to the pump.



B^

Answer 5

the motor does not care if there is not any water, it does not get moist. the pump in spite of the shown fact that isn't agree. no count if it fairly is a self priming pump it must be broken by fact there replaced into no longer something there to top itself with, water. if no longer the only thank you to confirm is to top it (fill the suction hose with water) and attempt it lower back

Answer 6

You could probably get away with changing the impeller. Air bubbles getting into it just before it runs out completely is like throwing marbles in to it.