Irrigation well question (low flow rate)

[symatic]

First time well digger here located in Florida. Im in a world of sand

I'll explain what I have done and what issues(if any) I am having.

Pump:
Flotec thermoplastic 1.5HP
1.5" inlet and outlet
dual voltage set at 115V(running on 12guage extension cord for testing)

Static water level roughly 7-8ft

1st setup:
Jetted 2" casing 30ft down
Inserted 1.25" suction pipe w/ 5ft well point
At top of suction pipe used a 1.25" to 1.5" bushing(all pipes now 1.5"
Attached check valve then to pump
Flow rate 7 GPM

2nd setup:
Using same setup as above I jet another 30ft well point 6ft away.
Manifolded them equal distance apart and all 1.5" pipe
Attached check valve after the T
Flow rate 7GPM

I expected a higher flow rate on the first pipe. I read multiple points will produce more water. They are producing the same flow rate?

The check valve holds tight and makes a nice vaccum sound when unscrewed. Stays primed overnight(2 days is the longest i have let it sit without fiddling with it).

Connected a pressure guage and it read zero. This cannot be as it can run two giant impact sprinkler heads at the same time. Will exchange guage tomorrow, and post back results.

Next thing I have noticed is a slight gargling sound in the pump after 15 min or so of running. Read it may be cavitation and will try to adjust a few things to remedy that as to not cause pump damage. It is very slight, and adjusting the ball valve only makes it sound worse.

I know I provided alot of information(hopefully clearly) and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this. Hopefully you will notice something that I am overlooking and/or provide some tips to this beginner.

Thank You,
John C.

[DonL]

Welcome to Terry's Forums Symatic,

I believe that is a Sprinkler pump and not a jet pump, and has a rated max lift of 20 feet.

How are you driving the jets in the wells ?

That GPM may be all that pump can deliver with the way it is installed.

Have a great day.


DonL

[symatic]

Thanks for the reply.

I thought the lift is from the static water level.

I'm using a sprinkler pump because I plan on installing a system. It has instructions for well point installations and it is used in this area quite often.

Reguarding jetting, I used a T and attatched two hoses to a 2" pipe. Worked well till about 10 feet. Then I put the hose inside the pipe and twisted it down displacing the sand/dirt of the top.

So I might need a higher horse power pump?

John C.

[DonL]

If the well pipe can maintain the static level with the pump running, then you would be fine.

But you may not have enough water capacity to run that pump at full capacity.
I don't think more Horsepower would be the answer, That pump has the ability to make more than you are getting, but does depend on the water level and the pressure you are working it at.

I guess you are really just running two wells in parallel.

Enjoy your day.


DonL


P.S. That pump is rated for FLOW AT 10' LIFT and 30 PSI: 45 GPM, and almost 20 amps @ 115 VAC. Keep your extension cord short.

[symatic]

You are correct I am running them parallel. I used the term jetting to describe the method I used to put the casing down.

I was hoping it wasn't a water capacity issue. Maybe sitting in some less porous sand. Possibly I could pull the pipe up a bit to determine that. This will be last case senario.

Was planning on running it at 230 volt and putting it on a disconnect switch. The extension chord is probably 25ft, I'll set it up to run at 230, maybe it is not getting enough power.

Thank you
John C

[DonL]

You say ; "slight gargling sound in the pump after 15 min or so of running"

If the pump is making a different sound after running a while it may be sucking air, maybe the wells can not keep up, for the flow that you want to get, but the pump should be capable of more flow. That is if the water is available.

You may need a different screen size/point length to get more water, if that is the problem.

I am not sure how much sand that pump can handle safely.

Good Luck.