Well pump????

old · Jan 4, 2010

Well I'll ask but probably not get an answer before I go to pick one up but maybe I will.
110 1/2 hp or a 230V 1/2 hp pump which is the better one. 1/2hp 110 is cheaper then the 230 one and both use a 3 wire set up. Well is only 100 foot and water sits at about 20 foot down. I'm leaning to the 110V one so as to only have to use one side of the pressure switch so when it starts to act up like all mine have over the years I can just switch sides. So which one??
Thanks

jbp · Jan 4, 2010

Prefer 220 as the amperage is only half what it would be on 110. Have never replaced a pressure switch on 220 even one in the pond used to water a 60 sow farrow to finish, plus the cattle. My two cents.
Joe

OldFarmTractor · Jan 4, 2010

If you go with the 220V, the pressure switch should last twice as long as with the 110V unit since you are using half the current.

I always use a 220V unit if it is available. Less voltage loss in wiring due to lower current.

Coloken · Jan 4, 2010

Might be easier to run the 110 volt on back up generator..

JMS/.MN · Jan 4, 2010

Always better to run 220 whenever you can. Balances the load, minimizes stray voltage, components last longer with the smaller amperage.

showcrop · Jan 4, 2010

I agree, 220, much cheaper to run.

JR. FRYE · Jan 4, 2010

I have all ways had a 220 well pump I had to replace this year and the pump that i replaced was about 5 or 6 years old. with a 3 garenty
and our well is 60 feet,and I want to say they will last longer.
Good luck My good friend and be carful pulling the pump.
From JR Frye

Anonymous-0 · Jan 4, 2010

The 220 pump will use only half the amperage so the switch is likely to last longer that way than the "double life" on 110.

JMHO

Areo

JDemaris · Jan 4, 2010

220-240 volt motor/pump does not any less power then an equal horse 110-120 volt unit, and isn't a penny cheaper to run. The only gain with teh higher voltage is the ability to use smaller wire.

Eric in IL · Jan 4, 2010

(quoted from post at 10:17:30 01/04/10) I agree, 220, much cheaper to run.

Why would 220 be much cheaper to run?

JDemaris · Jan 4, 2010

Seems you'd better do your homework before believing some of the replies you've gotten. A 1 horse pump motor that draws 20 amps at 120 VAC is no less efficient than the same 1 horse motor run at 240 VAC and drawing 10 amps per line - but with two lines instead of one (still 20 amps).
A 1 horse motor that's 2400 watts is 20 amps one-line on 120 VAC and 10 amps two-lines on 240 VAC.

Watts is watts, period. Only gain with 220-240 is the ability to get the job done with smaller wire. If wired correctly, it makes no difference.

In your case, what are the three wires for? Some 120 VAC setups use a power, neutral, and a capacitor/start wire and have a "start box" inside the house.

I don't know what you have, but if changing from 120 VAC to 240 VAC, you'd better make sure you've got the correct wires to do it. If the new one is a two-wire pump with built in start capacitor, you'll probably be fine. Just look at your exisiting wires, see what gauge and how many, and read the new pump specs.

teddy52food · Jan 4, 2010

Higher voltage gives a stronger magnetic field. It has been proven over & over that 220 motors are more efficient than 110. Ask the power company & see what they say.

JDemaris · Jan 4, 2010

It has been proven over and over, that same sized motors run at equal efficiency regardless if wired 120 or 240 - as long as the wire size is proper. Show one example of a consumer-grade motor that performs as you claim.

old · Jan 4, 2010

If I remember right the wire is 10 gauge 3 wire. With 110 1 will be hot one neutral and one will be ground. With the old 230 set up there was 2 hot and one ground/neutral. So I know I can use the same wire just going to the 110 set up instead of the 230 set up because it saves about $30 on the price of the pump and yes a watt is a watt not matter what

old · Jan 4, 2010

Yep that is what I'm thinking I still remember those 7 days in 2007 with no power not water and cold as a %#$^%. Back then I could have had water at least if I had a 110 volt pump but it was 220 so now with this 110 one I should be able to have water even if it is cold out and no power. Plus no matter what a volt is a volt an amp is an amp and a watt is a watt. and that Volts time amps equals watts and if it is 220X10 amps or 110X20 amp it still equals the same watts

JDemaris · Jan 4, 2010

Yes. I just wasn't sure when you said "three wire" if you meant three wires from the well to the house, or three wires actually going to the pump motor under water. Big difference is where the starting capacitor is mounted. Some mount it on the motor and others put it inside the house in a "control box." From what you say, I assume you do NOT have a control box and your pump had the cap on the motor.

buickanddeere · Jan 4, 2010

With what you call three wire on 240V with two hots and a ground neutral, it isn't.
It's a 10/2 cable with two lines/hots and a GROUND only. NO NEUTRAL in any way shape or form.
To make a long story short. Size everything according to the application and run on 240 instead of 120 when possible.

buickanddeere · Jan 4, 2010

Amp turns is what builds a magnetic field, not voltage.

showcrop · Jan 4, 2010

J, how about the load balance? I was taught long ago to keep the load as well balanced as possible in order to keep the peak load as low as possible. around here the peak charge can make a pretty significant difference on your bill.

JDemaris · Jan 4, 2010

I understand the positive reasons for trying to maintain a load balance - but it doesn't have much to do with chosing 120 VAC versus 240 VAC with his well pump - or the statements about efficiency. In a typical home that has two 120 VAC legs coming in from the transformer - it's just about impossible to maintain a balance anyway. The only way it could be done, that I can think of would be to have every circuit in the house wired 240 VAC. And close to balanced or not, the electric meter is going to read the same when it comes to the power company billing you.

Rod in Forfar · Jan 4, 2010

Use 220 for the efficiency, but keep track of the wiring diagram. Ten minutes with a flashlight in your teeth and you can rewire it for a 110 generator and put it back later.

old · Jan 4, 2010

If it has a cap it is built in because you can not see one any place on it. 3 wires going all the way down to the pump and would you believe it is not fun playing with a pump at 8:30 PM in the dark when it is 2 degrees out. But I do have water now. See my next post as to what all went on

Anonymous-0 · Jan 6, 2010

i have a 220 on my house...BUT...we built a small camp about 1100 feet from the house. we dug in #6 copper undrground ( 3wires...two hot, 1 ground). granted this is low wire to run GOOD power that far...should have 200 amp undergorund but yikes $$$$...but it was cheap and basically just wanted some lights. it worked great on the lights. my dad had the idea to drill a well and get water! we did...120feet. we put a 110 pump in. it would barely start. hummed...just not enough power to crank it that far. we replaced it with a 220 pump. it runs awesome and has been there for 6 years...spring, summer, and falls! the 3- #6 lines now run the pump, tv, and lights!!!! does that tell you anything about what it takes to run a 110 pump compared to a 220? I joke you not with this story...it is 100% TRUE!

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