Data Gathering for RWP Water Pumps

RWP Water Pumps Data Gathering

This document outlines some of the basic troubleshooting when it comes to RWP water pump systems. Gathering pictures of the installation are helpful, along with multimeter readings. These are some of the most common questions that arise when installing a system for the first time and can be used as a guideline for starting the troubleshooting process. Once the system is confirmed, find the best matches to send for testing instructions. 

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1. What Motor Type am I dealing with?

RWP offers both two wire+G and three wire+G motors. Two wire motors have 2 Black wires. The polarity or wire order does not matter. These will connect to L1 and L2 of the drop wire(RWP offers Bk/Rd/Gr wire). The last wire is the ground. These motors will not have starter boxes. They will wire directly to the pressure switch or other pump control device. Two wire motor labels also contain the words “Internal Capacitor.” Three wire motors have Red Yellow and Black wires along with the Green ground wire.

2. How do I wire my pump to the starter box?

The starter box, for systems that use one, is essential for the system to run properly. Most starter boxes are labeled with  L1, L2, R, Y, and B with a green screw lug. L1 and L2 are wired up to AC power, most commonly two lines of 110-120V AC which combine to make 220-240V AC, while the R, Y, B match up to the colors of wires coming off the pump. 

3. The pump is all wired up to the starter box but is not turning on.

A multimeter will be needed here to test incoming power to the start box and to check out the pump wire resistances. Set the multimeter to AC power and check voltage at L1+L2, you should see 220-240V AC power, if not, check your source of AC power. By removing the pump wires off the starter box we can use a multimeter to check resistances, make sure power is shut off to the starter box/pump. Set the multimeter to low ohms and check each of the wires in combination with each other, R+B, R+Y, B+Y, R+G, B+G, Y+G. Any other wire tested with ground(G) should read 0L or open line. The general values we would expect are: B+Y lowest ohms, R+Y middle ohms, R+B most ohms and roughly equaling (R+Y)+(B+Y) readings. If any of these readings are off or 0 (not ground readings)  then it is possible there is a leaky splice. This can be verified by cutting the wires below the splice made and retesting the pump wires by themselves. 

4. How do I wire my pressure switch?

Pressure switch wiring is a little different as the starter box does not have any sort of sensor input or “brains” to it. In this case a standard action pressure switch is needed to cut the incoming AC power as a means to turn the pump on and off. L1+L2 go through the pressure switch before reaching the starter box. Here is a handy video going over the wiring and the wiring document is at the bottom of the page.

Easy DIY Wiring of 220V Submersible Water Pump: From Starter Box to Pressure Switch to Breaker Box

5. Pressure switch testing

Much like testing for AC power going into the starter box you can use a multimeter to test the flow of voltage at a pressure switch as well. Set the multimeter to AC power and check voltage at the outside and inside terminals on the pressure switch. You should see a reading of 220-240V AC power in both cases if the pressure switch is closed. If the switch is open you will see AC power on one set of terminals and 0 at the other set of terminals. 

 

6. How do I wire my 110V pump? Where is the starter box? 

Our 110V single phase AC pumps are what is called “2-wire” for their operation. This means we have 2 wires and a ground for a total of 3 wires rather than the conventional 4 on our 220V AC pumps. All of our 110V AC pumps do not need a starter box to operate as the starting relay components are located inside the motor already. For wiring a single line of 110V AC or hot, a neutral, and a ground are directly connected to the pump for operation. Note that we do now have 2+G wire 220V AC pumps available. 

7. Surface Pump installations and operation

The closer the pump can be to the water source the better, with no more than 15 feet total on the suction side of the pump and only one 90 degree elbow. Make sure the pump is primed by opening the priming port and adding water or opening the priming port and allowing water to flow out before resealing, in the case there is positive water pressure. 

8. Surface Pump screen not turning on

In general when power is applied to the surface pumps the screen will illuminate automatically. In some cases, like the BP3, a power button needs to be pressed first before the screen lights up. If no lights are appearing then the source of AC power needs to be checked for voltage. Set the multimeter to check for AC volts and use the probs to test the plug outlet for power, you should see either 110V AC or 240V AC, depending on the model of pump. If no voltage can be seen then the source of AC power or plug needs to be checked for proper functionality.