Pump controls

[JTBuer]

I've been asked to design a small pumphouse to replace a 45 year old system for a campground and bunkhouse. The existing system works well so I will basically copy it. Except for the pump control (old Heally Ruff). It works well but can't be serviced locally.
The exiting system is split, campground summer only, bunkhouse all year. The bunkhouse pumps are controlled based on pressure. The campground pumps are controlled based on the level in a 2000 gallon holding tank (gravity feed from the tank to the campground). The pressure system is easy but I'm not sure about how to easily control the pumps from floats in the holding tank. We'd like to keep it as simple as possible.

 

[tjmurf]

How tall is the 2000 gal holding tank? How many feet of head from its pumps?

 

[JTBuer]

The tank is 4 feet high. The top of the tank is about 6 feet higher than the pumphouse floor.

 

[tjmurf]

I was wondering if their was enough head to use a pressure sensor for your control, I guess not.
What type of control system, floats are on it now?
Is this a metal tank?
Any openings or ports on top?

 

[tjmurf]

Check this out, it may help.

http://www.omega.com/Green/pdf/LV120.pdf

 

[JTBuer]

The tank has floats and they run through the control panel. I am coming around to the realization that I can control the pumps directly with the floats as we do with septic tanks. Although the existing system runs through the Heally-Ruff it isn't really necessary.
The tank is plastic and it has openings in the top.

 

[JTBuer]

Thanks
I think that is what needed

 

[tjmurf]

I work with pumps and pump controls all the time, and I don't know what a Heally-Ruff is, some sort of controller?

 

[JTBuer]

It is the name of a company that makes controllers. Until I started this project they were the only ones I had heard of. The ones we have in our systems have worked well for many years but when we have problems none of our local electricians know what to make of them.

http://www.healyruff.com

 

[darugar]

have you worked with press control, it has a pressure switch with a hydro scan on it

 

[wri]

Probably the least expensive and most reliable control system would be induction relays and electrodes similar to the B/W 1500 series. B/W is now owned by AMETEK. This type control equipment has been around and not changed much over the years. It is easy to design and install and it is very immune to surges.

The only draw backs are very cold weather that might freeze water in the tank, which is equally bad for other tank control types. The only other problem with electrodes is when the water supply introduces oil that traps on the tank water surface in a tank. Oil can come from an oil lubricated well and sometimes from tank coatings; both of these oil sources are rapidly becomming extinct.

BTW, the Healy-Ruff Company is still alive and well. Except for their old 940 Roto-Trol float controller most of their current control systems are electronic and electro-mechanical, but they might be able to suggest a way to modernize your current controls. St. Paul, MN, 651-633-7522.