Appropriate size inverter for sump pumps

Question moved from Washing Machines to Eco Submersible.

If it is a submersible pump, it can't be an airlock or a stuck non-return valve. The only likely reason would be a broken impeller, or an impeller that had sheared its shear pin on the drive shaft due to an obstruction.

https://www.ecoplususa.com/shop/product/ecoplus-eco-fixed-flow-rate-submersible-pumps#

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Match inverter rating with voltage and amp draw of motor.

1/3 Hp motor amp draw chart by household voltage:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire2.html#motor

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The pump should start by itself and shut off by itself as well. The float switch needs replacing. If new, return it. If you want to test the pump, separate the two plugs and plug in the one that leads to the main pump body.

This is a single phase induction motor. You mentioned it is overheating. You did not mention whether or not you had easily turned the pump by hand. Pumps overheat for several reasons but these are the top 4:
1. The head pressure is too high as in the pump is being used to pump water higher than the head level of the pump. (Lift distance to high)
2. Low utility or generator voltage. Lower than the pump rated input power requirements.
3. Bearing Friction or motor / bearing mis-alignment ( 3. Pump is sitting in debris while pumping and the pump inlet is being blocked by debris. Also... if it sat in clay and the clay dried inside the pump it can restrict water passages to the point that the pump just can not pump enough water to stay cool.

Does it overheat when pumping at 15 feet or less? I note that this is actually a 1/2 Hp pump. The max LIFT distance for most 1/2 Hp Pumps is 23 feet or less using a 1 1/2 in discharge. The lift will be even less with a 2 inch discharge outlet. As for oiling the pump... Most submersibles always have oil above the impeller and it usually does NOT leak out unless the seal between the impeller and the motor stator / aramture has failed letting water into the winding. That plug you mentioned is for checking to see if water is in the winding area. If you pull the plug and get water the seal is bad. Hopefully you can save the winding.

You asked what the effect would be if you went to a larger discharge diameter. This will give you more volume but less head / lift distance.

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Kelly

Hi,
The float that turns the pump on and off is bad or stuck...
Pull the pump out and check the float... if it shuts off the find out what was holding it up...if it still runs the float is bad and will need to be replaced...

heatman101

Flowtec shows manual for FPOS3200 with 3 year warranty, that looks very similar to your pump
http://www.flotecpump.com/resources/images/503.pdf

Flowtec help number
1-800-365-6832

FPOS3200 page
http://www.flotecpump.com/ResidentialProduct_fl_su_su_FP0S3200A.aspx
Flotec sump pump product page
http://www.flotecpump.com/ResidentialSearchResults.aspx#ProductType=Sump+Pumps

Flotec website shows several submersible sump pumps, and pump types:
http://www.flotecpump.com/asp/productapplication.asp?AId=28

Click product, then click on 'parts and literature' to access manual
Here is a Flotec manual:
http://www.flotecpump.com/pdf/FP525%2811-1-06%29.PDF

Manual for this type of sump pump says:
Quote from manual: Automatic float switch is sealed and factory adjusted for
most home sumps. Turn-on water level is 10" - 12" above
pump base. Turn-off water level is 4" - 6".

The manual also says that running the pump when dry will ruin the seals.
This implies that the water level setting is set so the seals will not be damaged

You might be able to dig the sump deeper, but I don't know if that meets your objective.

Replace the float with either a pressure operated float switch, or a verticle float that has a rod in the center, Home Depot has ubiversal floats of all three variations.

Hi,

The maximum lift is 18 feet.

Thanks.

That's a lot of water. In the U.S. , pumps are rated in GPM (gallons per minute. Your 20000 liters per hour converts to 88 GPM. So you need to find a pump that can produce at least 88 GPM.

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