Sminfiddle wrote:
My pump start relay's manual says NOT to use the same circuit for the sprinkler timer and for the pump power itself. Why would this be? It is making me hesitate to just tap an inside outlet.
It may be a problem if you are switching a full 15 amps on the pump; the pump starting current could cause a voltage drop on the start relay AND spinkler valve timer, causing a malfunction.
It should work if the pump starts easily or has low amps draw for the "extension cord".
A larger circuit awg for the 110 volt could solve if the pump is borderline, or a start/run capacitor can be added for the pump extension only. Water well pumps have the capacitor even for 220V in the start relay when the pumps are down-well.
Voltage Drop/Power Factor Course 101:Amps draw, no matter what the voltage, will always create voltage-drop on circuits, so 220 volt (2-pole breaker feed) will only double the power capacity for the same size conductors. The efficiency of the motor is not affected, and is still limited by the service factor (wiring/rotor design) and the Power Factor for using supplied voltage and amps at the end of a conductor run of fixed length and size.
NEC (National code) recommends that 20-amp circuits over 100 feet long use 10 AWG instead of 12 AWG if the load pulls over 15 amps. 220 Volt single phase is recommended for larger than 1/4HP, and Three-phase is recommended for larger than 1HP.
On very long runs (300+ ft.), or higher-amp/small conductor loads, voltage drop and power factor losses must be calculated.
Any induction motor, single or three phase, uses reactive power, or VAR (volt-amps reactive) as part of the field creation and induction of the rotor. Induction motors have a power factor rating of less than 100%, usually 85-90%.
The lower the power factor on the motor, the less efficient, and amps/voltage-drop goes up, unless you supply "storage" for the VARs on line, or at the motor.
A capacitor will help start, and supply running VARs and reduce the amp draw and voltage drop for long lines and large motors, with less need for larger conductor size.
Less amps draw at start will also reduce the damage to the contacts on the starter.
The Franklin starters (like at Lowes, Sears, etc) have these for only a 6 to 8 amp running load pump. My brother uses a 1 HP starter (with a larger capacitor) for his 3/4 HP, 220V Well pump as it adds a little more backbone and reliability to the circuit, at the pump-head end where it does the most good.
Happy pumping!