Today we are drilling a new submersible water bore near Lake Monger in Wembley.
The new submersible bore will replace a really old shallow well which has given up the ghost. Shown here is the 4 inch bore casing ready to go down the newly drilled bore. Also shown is the bags of drillers gravel which will be poured down the outside of the slotted bore casing to act as a primary filter.
If you would like one of our experienced team to drop around to discuss a new water bore for your home 1300 734 300 or visit our main website http://www.virginbores.com.au
We had an unusual service call yesterday (9246 0111) about a submersible bore pump that was producing only about 25% of the water that it normally delivered.
Pump and motor uncoupled showing shaft.
We ruled out all the normal things like a hole in the poly rising main, pump wasn’t running backwards, none of the “normal” causes.??? When we winched the submersible pump to the surface we found the shaft joining the motor to the “wet-end” (pump) seemed OK but on uncoupling the submersible pump we noted inconsistencies. Found the shaft had sheared actually inside the pump leaving the first 4 of 12 impellers still turning. Quite an uncommon fault.
Submersible pump shaft snapped
Further detective work found the unusual auto start device had been turning the pump on/off, on/off incessantly contributing to the failure. Replaced the pump and installed it all back down the borehole with the original motor. Tested and all good now!
We have been in the water boring business for nearly 20 years and know how to repair and service water bores in Perth. We are a family business and will look after you.
Call us anytime on 9246 0111 or Troy on mobile 0408 454 130. Our mobile bore service teams visit all Perth suburbs.
There is more information on water bores in Perth HERE
This terminology is used to describe the single phase motor that drives the submersible “wet-end” or pump. It is not used in reference to three phase submersible pumps. The difference between a “2 wire” and “3 wire” pump is based on the type of motor that is used. A “3 wire” single phase submersible pump motor requires a control box or start box that contains a starting capacitor or start/run capacitor. This box is normally mounted near the power
Lowara bore start box
source or buildings meter box. This has an on/off manual switch and motor running indicator. On installation an electrician puts a 24v relay in this to accept the signal from a reticulation controller if required, thereby automating the start box. Because of the method of starting, the motor requires three “hot” leads (plus a lead for the ground connection) to operate correctly. It is called a “3-wire” due to the three “hot” leads, though there are actually 4
individual wires when you count the earth (ground) wire. On the other hand a “2 wire” motor requires no control/start box because it does not use a starting capacitor.
Sumoto Submersible Start Box
Instead, a “2 wire” motor has a built-in electrical device that is used to start the motor. This only requires the pump to have 2 “hot” leads (plus earth), which is why it is called a “2 wire” pump. But when counting the total number of wires coming to the surface we see a “2 wire” pump actually has 3 wires and a “3 wire” pump actually has 4 wires. Confused? Fixing submersible bores and pumps is what we do every day. Our experience is what sets us apart. Our service teams have the knowledge, experience and tools to get the job done right first time with a minimum of fuss. Call 9246 0111 for any bore service needs Perth and surrounds or book a bore service online
When we are out and about repairing old water bores sometimes we find a bore is beyond economical repair. Often the only sensible thing to do is install a new submersible bore because the homes mains water pressure won’t be strong enough to power reticulation that was configured for the old bore. Of course we are asked who we can recommend to drill a new one. We always confidently recommend our installation division, Virgin Bores. Visit the website here for more new water bore info or a bore quote, 1300 734 300
Typical plastic bore box which covers a submersible bore.Just uncovered a Nedlands submersible bore
We often get calls from Perth customers who know they have a submersible bore but have no idea where it is. They bought the house long after the submersible bore was drilled and no-one knows where the bore is let alone what they are looking for. This adjacent pic shows a submersible borehead we just uncovered in Nedlands. If the bore was installed in the last 20 years or so there will typically be a green lid just under the lawn like this one. Sometimes they are even flush with the lawn and visible. The lid normally conceals a box that is about 435 x 300 x 305mm as seen to the right. Older than 20 years and sometimes it is a small concrete lid on a concrete box of similar size.
Can’t find your submersible bore?
Call 1300 734 300. Our mobile service teams have special locating equipment and expert knowledge.
From time to time we attend a Perth submersible bore where we test everything and find the submersible motor is running but no water is coming out. The first thing we do is disconnect the bore at the borehead and test it again. This ensures that it was not actually a problem with the delivery of water via the reticulation system. Often people leap to the conclusion that there is something wrong with the pump. Often though, it turns out to be a small hole blown in the rising poly main. That is the 40 or 50mm flexible black poly pipe that delivers the water to the surface from the submersible pump. Why would this poly blow? Commonly because, for one reason or another, the pump has been run against a closed head, that is where there is nowhere for the water to flow. Probably because a solenoid valve didn’t open or a tap was left inadvertently off. The motor overheats and heats up the surrounding water. The black poly pipe becomes malleable as it is affected by this heat and under pressure a hole blows in it. Normally this hole is just above the pump.
Winching up a submersible pump Perth
Generally just the poly needs repairing (along of course with the underlying cause of the dead-heading). To do this we set up our portable which and winch the submersible pump to the surface. We cut off a section of the poly, rejoin it to the pump and reinstall everything back down the borehole. Bingo all fixed! Most Perth submersible boreholes are between 15 and 60 metres deep and a winch is required for the deeper holes.
Presuming the pump is running but there is no water being delivered then it is most likely a priming issue. First check though that it is
Priming point on “Davey” pump
not a surface reticulation problem with a manual gate valve having been turned off or an automatic solenoid valve not opening. Sometimes, if the centrifugal pump style bores have not been run for a few weeks, they lose prime through a slow leak.
Often just priming the pump and making sure it is run every few days will overcome the problem. There is usually priming point on top of the pump. Sometimes a priming point may have been put at the top of the well in the main line.
If it is a serious leak it will need repairing.
Brass Check ValvePhilmac Check Valve
It might be the check valve that needs replacing. It could be leaking gland-packing or even a leaking mechanical seal.
Sometimes it is the “bottom prime” i.e. the water under the check valve in the pipe that goes down to the water table has escaped.
Call us, we will ask a few questions and give you some options. on 9246 0111 or visit our main website here. Our mobile service teams cover all of Perth greater metro area including outer suburbs.
check the fuse or circuitbreaker that should be in your meter box and labelled “bore” or “pump”
Single phase bore circuit breaker
Single phase pump start box
if it is 3 phase reset the 415-440v D.O.L ( Direct Online Starter)
if it is single phase there is most likely a separate 240v start box with a reset/over-ride switch. You should check that
does the 240 V start box have a burnt smell?
3 phase DOL bore starter
if it is operated from a reticulation controller check that that has 240v power going to it. Just because the reticulation controller has a display does not mean it has 240v power. Remove the 9v back up battery and confirm there is still a display.
can you hear the 24 v relay clicking in or the contacter make a clunk sound when you start the retic contoller? Starting the reic controller sends a 24v signal to a relay or contactor which turns on the “mains” power to the bore pump.
if all the above seems OK and it is a submersible pump, perhaps the motor is starting and you can’t hear it but another related water delivery problem exists. Does your electricity meter speed up when you start the pump?
if it is a centrifugal pump in a well have you checked the isolation switch?
have you recently had electrical work done to any of the wiring on your house?
Call us on Perth 1300 734 300 if none of the above helped. We may be able to help further on the phone or we will send our mobile bore service teams to any Perth suburb. Further info is on our main website.
Our mobile service teams do prompt repairs to ALL TYPES of Water Bores & Reticulation Sprinkler Systems Perth metro-wide. Free phone advice. Our experience saves you time and money. Bore repair HOTLINE 1300 734 300 North of River: Troy 0408454130 South of River: Brett 0411511611
You must be logged in to post a comment.