PROBLEM! Need advice of those who've been down this road a time or two...
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2023 1:07 am
All, thanks for reading. I'm having issues with my rod pump set up and I'd love some opinions on why i'm seeing premature failure in the parts i've installed. My system is as follows.
A montgomery ward reciprocating rod pump
260' rod length
3/8" NPT galv push rods
1" NPT galv drop pipe
1 13/16" x 18" long 442 MAAS Midwest water well cylinder pump
1" Simmons foot valve assembled directly to bottom of cylinder
Pressure switch set to 55 PSI Cut out.(This is the Max pressure check valve/leathers ever sees, in addition to the hydrostatic head pressure which is constant. ) (110 PSI head + 55 max cut out = total 165) Am I destroying the checks/leathers by overpressuring?
The issue is intermittent pumping of air. When the pump stops, air bubbles can be heard taking the annulus up to the top, as water can be heard falling down the drop pipe. This creates an air pocket in the line, which upon next startup is purged into the tank, thus eventually air logging the tank. Once the system purges most of the air out, it pumps ok, but not as good as it did 3 months ago. Cylinder and check valve were brand new Memorial day weekend, and all of a sudden last week i noticed severe and rather quick air logging of tank. Air comes up with water almost the entire time its pumping. Are my plunger leathers wore out, or the check valve(s) completely wore out? I have a hard time believing that within 3 months of moderate use two check valves would leak by bad enough to cause an issue.
Thanks for your input
A montgomery ward reciprocating rod pump
260' rod length
3/8" NPT galv push rods
1" NPT galv drop pipe
1 13/16" x 18" long 442 MAAS Midwest water well cylinder pump
1" Simmons foot valve assembled directly to bottom of cylinder
Pressure switch set to 55 PSI Cut out.(This is the Max pressure check valve/leathers ever sees, in addition to the hydrostatic head pressure which is constant. ) (110 PSI head + 55 max cut out = total 165) Am I destroying the checks/leathers by overpressuring?
The issue is intermittent pumping of air. When the pump stops, air bubbles can be heard taking the annulus up to the top, as water can be heard falling down the drop pipe. This creates an air pocket in the line, which upon next startup is purged into the tank, thus eventually air logging the tank. Once the system purges most of the air out, it pumps ok, but not as good as it did 3 months ago. Cylinder and check valve were brand new Memorial day weekend, and all of a sudden last week i noticed severe and rather quick air logging of tank. Air comes up with water almost the entire time its pumping. Are my plunger leathers wore out, or the check valve(s) completely wore out? I have a hard time believing that within 3 months of moderate use two check valves would leak by bad enough to cause an issue.
Thanks for your input