Septic tank experts

[Terryl]

OK, this is a stinky one.

I have what is called an engineered septic system, the tank has a pump in it that is controlled by floats, waist water gets too high (on the output side) an it starts pumping, waist water gets to low level it shuts down.

Last night I heard the pump controller kick on, (control unit is attached to the side of the house) I did not hear it shut off, (went to bed) I wondered about this afternoon and went to check, the unit did not shut the pump off, it ran all night.

I shut it down and opened the pump side of the tank, I found that the lower float was stuck for some reason, gave it a good squirt with the garden hose and it's freed up. (for now)

My question to you pump guys, is the pump damaged in any way due to it running out of stuff to pump????

It looks to work ok with the controller in manual mode, I wonder if the pump has a thermal overload, and it just shuts down when it gets too hot.

[runamok]

Pump should be ok unless there was a strain on motor.But that wasn't the case.

[staticrider]

As long as there is some kind of fluid to keep the bearings lube you are OK. I have the same set up at the lake cabin and this happened to me for 2 days a couple of years ago and everything was fine after restart.

[Terryl]

Thanks Runamok and Statrider, I was worried as the local septic company want's $500 just to look at it, I think they have to pump the tank first.

[steveOtoo]

Usually there is a ceramic shaft seal that separates the impeller from the internal bearings similar to a pool motor. The internal overload protector usually comes into play with a locked rotor. I would be more concerned about the ceramic seal exposing the internal shaft bearings to water............

[The Noof]

Please don't bite your finger nails.

[Putski]

Curious if all is working good for you?

[Terryl]

All working for now, I ran both showers and waited till the pump kicked in, then waited till it shut off, all's working good.

Thanks Guy's.

[Imsomebody]

waist water gets too high waist high or waste lmao

[ranger]

I would not do anything with the pump unless it fails ... You should clean and do what you can to insure the cutoff and cut on float switches are floating freely and working ....