Lake pump pressure

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dmarple

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Hi Folks

I am running my sprinkler system with a lake pump. I have noticed recently that the pressure/flow in the system drops after the pump has been on for a while - say 2- 3 hours. Until then it operates normally. The pump is 5 feet above the water surface. The foot valve is 4 feet below the surface. I have checked the foot valve for obvious things that might restrict flow and have not found anything. It is 4 years old though and I suspect it may be the problem. Any thoughts ?

Thanks
 

Bob NH

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Is it possible that the zone that comes on later in the cycle has more heads or a leak in the distribution system that demands greater flow? That would cause the pump to deliver less pressure.
 

dmarple

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I don't think that is it as it seems to happen no matter what what zone sequence is running.

As an example I had it set to run at 4 am today. When I went out ther apx 6:30 it was running zone 5 but hardly enough pressure to pop the sprinkler heads. I checked the pump/motor and its sounded normal and was not overheating. I shut it off for half an hour. I restarted zone 5 and it worked fine throughout the rest of the program.

Thanks
 

Southern Man

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It sounds to me that the motor is over heating. You should check the voltage at the motor while off, then while running. If there is significant drop (more that 2 or 3%) then your feed wire is too small. Most motors don't like voltages less than 115 or so, and prefer 120.
 

Speedbump

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If your only using a Footvalve for a Lake Strainer, you can assume that every leaf that comes in the vicinity of the Footvalve will try it's best to get sucked up against the screen.

You may need a real Lake Strainer.

bob...
 

dmarple

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For some reaon my Reply dropped off. If this is a repeat please forgive me.

The motor is 2 HP and is supposed to be hooked up to 240 V. 240 is out there but I neve really checked to see if it is wired correctly. It does run hot or it seems hot to me. Not so hot That I can't put my hand on it but hot. Of course its in the 90's in Texas. Would it even be possible to Start and run a 2HP motor on 120 V ?

It sounds like I need to invest in the Strainer irregardless of the othe issues.

Thanks for everyone's replies.
 

Redwood

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You may have low voltage to the motor... But Not That Low!:eek:
Measure it if you have concerns.
 

dmarple

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Thanks - will do, Just thought of somehting else, If it were the foot valve or something else obstructing the suction wouldn't that show up on my suction pressure ? What would it do, raise the pressure ?
 

Speedbump

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Suction - Pressure? It's either one or the other, they are opposites. If you had a Vacuum Gauge in the Suction line, you would probably see a very high reading, like 28 inches of Vacuum. But while pumping lots of water, there is always going to be a rather high amount of Vacuum on that line.

bob...
 
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