Has the pump run dry?
Wellpoint Pump Controller South Africa is the part that decides when the pump runs and, more importantly, when it stops. On a shallow point that can draw down mid session, dry run protection is the difference between a pump that lasts a decade and one that lasts a season. Compare controller quotes.
Get controller and dry run protection quotes.
Get the Best QuoteWhat a Controller Does
- Starts on demand. A tap or sprinkler opens and the pump follows.
- Stops on no flow. Rather than running against a closed line.
- Cuts on dry run. The one function that saves the pump.
- Prevents short cycling. Rapid on and off wears a motor out fast.
- Restarts after a trip. Some retry on a timer, some need resetting by hand.
- Shows what happened. The better units indicate why they cut out.
The Options
- Pressure switch and vessel. The traditional setup, cheap and repairable.
- Electronic pressure controller. One compact unit, usually with dry run cut out.
- Flow and pressure sensor. More tolerant of a point that varies.
- Float switch in a tank. For a point that fills storage rather than feeding taps.
- Timer. For irrigation on a point that needs recovery time.
- Level probe in the point. The most reliable dry run protection there is.
Choosing for a Shallow Point
- Expect the level to move. A point drawn down mid session is normal, not a fault.
- Protect, do not just automate. A pressure switch alone does not stop a dry run.
- Allow recovery. A timer or a probe lets the point refill.
- Mind the restart count. Repeated retries into a dry point still cause damage.
- Fit it where it can be reached. A controller behind a built housing is a nuisance.
Wellpoint Pump Controller Prices
Ballpark controller and protection figures so you can check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Pressure switch, supplied and fitted | R650 - R1,900 |
| Pressure switch and vessel | R1,800 - R5,500 |
| Electronic pressure controller | R1,400 - R4,200 |
| Dry run protection, standalone | R950 - R3,800 |
| Level probe in the point, fitted | R1,600 - R5,500 |
| Float switch and tank wiring | R850 - R2,800 |
| Irrigation timer, fitted | R900 - R3,500 |
| Weatherproof enclosure and isolator | R1,200 - R3,500 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, excluding VAT. They reflect typical South African wellpoint, pump and water treatment rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no provider is bound by them. Confirm what each quotation includes, such as travel, the depth allowed for, the dry hole fee, pipework and minimum callout fees.
Protect the pump for a fraction of replacing it.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Type of control. A pressure switch and a level probe are far apart.
- Electrical work. A new weatherproof enclosure adds to it.
- Pump compatibility. Some pumps have a controller designed for them.
- Tank or taps. Filling storage and feeding sprinklers need different control.
- Access. Getting to the pump and into the point.
- Whether it is retrofitted. Fitting during an install costs less than a separate visit.
What to Include in Your Request
- The pump make and rating. Off the plate on the body.
- What it feeds. Taps, sprinklers, a tank or a pool.
- Whether it runs dry. And how often, if you know.
- The point's depth and yield. It decides which protection suits.
- Existing controls. A pressure switch, a timer or nothing.
- Power at the pump. And whether there is an isolator.
Before the Controller Is Fitted
- Insist on dry run protection. Automation without it is the expensive half.
- Match it to a shallow point. A drawdown mid session should not be treated as a fault.
- Ask how it restarts. Endless retries into a dry point still cost a seal.
- Keep it accessible. You will want to reset it at some point.
- Fit it with the pump if you can. One visit instead of two.
- Check the enclosure rating. It lives outside, in the weather.
Wellpoint Pump Controller FAQs
What is the difference between a pressure switch and a controller?
A pressure switch just starts and stops the pump on pressure, and it will happily run the pump dry. An electronic controller does the same job and adds a no flow cut out, so it stops when the point runs out of water. On a shallow point that difference is the pump's life.
Do I really need dry run protection?
On a shallow wellpoint, yes. A point that drops below the suction level part way through a watering session is normal behaviour, not a fault, and every one of those episodes attacks the mechanical seal. Protection costs a small fraction of a new pump.
What is the most reliable dry run protection?
A level probe in the point itself, because it measures the thing that actually matters rather than inferring it from flow or pressure. It costs more than a flow based cut out and it is worth it on a point that draws down regularly.
Why does my pump switch on and off rapidly?
Short cycling, and it is usually a pressure vessel that has lost its air charge or a switch set too tightly. It wears a motor out quickly, so it is worth sorting. Re-charging or replacing the vessel is normally a cheap visit.
Can a timer replace dry run protection?
Not really. A timer limits how long the pump runs, which helps the point recover, but it has no idea whether there is water down there on any given day. Use a timer for recovery and a cut out for protection; they do different jobs.
Controllers and protection are fitted by providers listed on Wellpoint Installers SA who also supply and service the pump.
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