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Quick answer from a licensed plumber: Pick the pump by the depth of the water while it runs. Within 25 feet of the pump, a shallow well jet pump like the Red Lion RJS-100-PREM. Deeper than that, in a 4-inch or larger drilled well, a submersible: the Red Lion RL12G10-3W2V lists 12 GPM at 100 feet and 50 psi. Skip the convertible deep-well jet unless you are reusing its pipes; Red Lion lists 2.2 GPM at 90 feet and 30 psi for its 3/4 HP model. If your pump cycles on and off, check the pressure tank and switch before you buy a pump.
Our pick for most drilled wells: the Red Lion RL12G10-3W2V 1 HP submersible, with the control box included. Check the Red Lion RL12G10-3W2V on Amazon
The right well pump depends on one number more than any other: how deep the water sits while the pump is running. This page sorts the four kinds of well pump by that number, shows how to size one from the maker’s tables, and points to our deeper guide for each type. It also covers the three parts to check before you replace a pump. Every pick below is a Red Lion pump, because Red Lion publishes the depth guide and flow tables we used and its pumps were sold by Amazon.com on October 3, 2026.
Which Type of Well Pump Do You Need?
| Pump type | Where it sits | Depth to pumping water level (Red Lion guide) | Well size (Red Lion) | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shallow well jet pump | Above ground, pulls by suction | 0 to 25 ft | 2 to 2-1/2 in. or larger (Red Lion gives both) | Best shallow well pumps |
| Convertible jet pump, deep setup | Above ground, with an injector down the well on two pipes | 25 to 90 ft | 4 in. or larger | Below: why we rarely pick one |
| Submersible pump | In the well, under the water | 0 to 250 ft | 4 in. or larger | Best submersible well pumps |
| Constant pressure system | A submersible (or other pump) run by a variable-speed controller | Same as the pump it runs | Same as the pump | Best constant pressure systems |
Depth ranges and well sizes come from Red Lion’s 1-2-3 Easy Guide and its RJS-PREM, RJC-PREM and RL series documents, read on October 3, 2026. For pumping levels deeper than 250 feet, Red Lion says to call its tech line.
Static level, pumping level and drawdown
Red Lion defines the pumping water level as the depth to the water while the well is being pumped, and says it is usually deeper than the level when the pump is off. The difference is drawdown. For a jet pump, Red Lion measures from the pumping level up to the pump’s suction opening. For a submersible, the measurement runs from that level up to the point where you use the water. The well driller’s report has the numbers for a new pump. For a replacement, Red Lion says to use the same style and horsepower, as long as the old pump did the job.
Shallow well: jet pump on top
A jet pump above ground can only pull water up about 25 feet. Red Lion says that limit includes drawdown and drops at high altitude. Past it, the pump runs but cannot lift the water. If your water is that close, a shallow well jet pump is the simplest system to own. Read our shallow well pump picks for priming, foot valves and the flow at each lift.
Deep jet (convertible) pumps: why we rarely pick one
A convertible jet pump adds an injector down the well on two pipes, which lets the pump on top reach deeper. Red Lion rates its RJC-PREM pumps for deep wells to 90 feet, and its manual calls for the deep setup from 20 to 90 feet (its quick guide says 25). The trade is flow. Red Lion’s table for the 3/4 HP RJC-75-PREM lists 16.2 GPM at 5 feet of lift and 30 psi, 5.4 GPM at 60 feet and 2.2 GPM at 90 feet. At the same 60 feet, Red Lion’s 1/2 HP RL12G05 submersible lists 8 GPM, and at the higher pressure of 50 psi. A convertible jet is worth it mainly when you are replacing one and want to reuse the pipes in the well. No RJC-PREM pump was sold by Amazon.com on October 2, 2026, so we do not link one.
Submersible: the default for drilled wells
A submersible sits in the well and pushes water up, so suction is never the limit. Red Lion rates its RL series for 4-inch or larger drilled wells to 250 feet. You will choose 2-wire or 3-wire and 115 V or 230 V; our submersible guide explains both, with Red Lion’s wire size table.
Constant pressure: a controller, not a different pump
A constant pressure system changes the pump’s speed to match demand instead of cycling it on and off with a pressure switch. Franklin Electric says its MonoDrive converts a conventional 1/2 to 2 HP system by replacing the 3-wire control box and pressure switch, and its SubDrive2W converts a 1/2 to 1 HP 2-wire system by replacing the pressure switch. Franklin also says the maximum output of the SubDrive2W is similar to a pressure switch system, so you size the pump the same way. Our constant pressure guide compares Franklin, Grundfos and Goulds controllers.
Sizing Basics: Flow, Depth and Horsepower
Flow. Red Lion’s rule is that the pump’s gallons per minute should equal the number of fixtures. Count faucets, toilets, the tub or shower, the washer and the dishwasher, but not a water heater or filter. Its example house with one full bath, a kitchen sink, a basement sink, an outside faucet, a washer and a dishwasher needs 8 GPM.
Depth and pressure. Find that flow in the maker’s table at your pumping level and pressure. Horsepower alone does not tell you. At 40 psi, Red Lion lists 7 GPM at 100 feet for the 1/2 HP RL12G05, and 10 GPM at 200 feet for the 1 HP RL12G10. Shallow jet pumps lose flow as pressure rises: Red Lion’s RJS-100-PREM lists 19.5 GPM at 15 feet and 30 psi, but 7.7 GPM at 50 psi.
Well yield. Red Lion says to make sure the pump’s output is not greater than the yield of the well. The driller’s report lists the yield. For a low-yielding well, Red Lion’s fixes include a smaller pump, a flow control valve or a low-pressure cut-off switch.
Tank. Red Lion’s quick rule for the pressure tank is the pump’s GPM times 3, then the next larger tank. For 8 GPM that is 24 gallons, so Red Lion picks its 34-gallon RL34. Our tank size and drawdown chart goes further.
Well Pumps Compared
| Pump | Type | HP | GPM at a sample depth (Red Lion tables) | Reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lion RL12G10-3W2V | Submersible, 3-wire | 1 | 12 GPM at 100 ft, 50 psi; 9 GPM at 200 ft | To 250 ft (434 ft shut-off) |
| Red Lion RL12G05-2W2V | Submersible, 2-wire | 1/2 | 6 GPM at 80 ft, 50 psi; 7 GPM at 100 ft, 40 psi | 212 ft shut-off |
| Red Lion RJC-75-PREM (not linked) | Convertible jet, deep setup | 3/4 | 5.4 GPM at 60 ft, 30 psi; 2.2 GPM at 90 ft, 30 psi | To 90 ft |
| Red Lion RJS-100-PREM | Shallow well jet | 1 | 19.5 GPM at 15 ft, 30 psi; 11.5 GPM at 25 ft, 40 psi | To 25 ft of lift |
Flow figures from Red Lion’s RL series spec sheet and its RJS-PREM and RJC-PREM performance tables. Each linked pump was sold by Amazon.com and in stock on October 3, 2026.
Red Lion RL12G10-3W2V 1 HP Submersible Well Pump
1 HP · 230 V, 10.4 A · 3-wire, control box included · 12 GPM rated · 434 ft shut-off · 1-1/4 in. FNPT discharge · built-in check valve and suction screen · for 4 in. or larger drilled wells to 250 ft · 3-year limited warranty
If the water in your well sits deeper than a jet pump can reach, more than 25 feet down while the pump runs, this is the pump type to buy. Red Lion says its RL series is for drilled wells 4 inches or larger, to depths of 250 feet. In Red Lion’s table the 1 HP RL12G10 lists 12 GPM with the pumping water level at 100 feet and the pressure at 50 psi, and still lists 9 GPM at 200 feet. On Red Lion’s 1-2-3 chart, it is the pump named for 3 to 8 GPM at a 250-foot pumping level.
It is a 3-wire pump, so the starting parts live in a control box at the surface, and Red Lion includes the box with the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 HP 3-wire models. Red Lion says to employ a licensed electrician or water systems contractor, that a ground fault circuit interrupter is required, and to set the pump at least 5 feet off the bottom of the well. Our submersible well pump guide covers the full flow table, wire sizes and the 22 GPM version.
- Reaches the deepest water of any pump type here, per Red Lion
- Lists 12 GPM at 100 feet and 50 psi
- Control box included, per Red Lion
- Built-in check valve and suction screen
- 230 V only
- 3-wire means a control box to mount and wire
- Replacing it means pulling the pipe and wire out of the well
Verdict: The well pump to buy for a house on a drilled well with water deeper than about 25 feet.
Red Lion RJS-100-PREM 1 HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
1 HP · 115/230 V (17.6 A / 8.8 A) · sits above ground · 1-1/4 in. FNPT suction, 1 in. FNPT discharge · 30/50 psi pressure switch · cast iron · suction lift to 25 ft including drawdown · 3-year limited warranty
A shallow well jet pump sits in a pump house or basement and pulls water up by suction. Red Lion says the vertical distance from the pump to the water, including drawdown, must not exceed 25 feet, and less at high altitude. Inside that limit it is the easiest well pump to service, because nothing is down the well but pipe. Red Lion lists 19.5 GPM at 15 feet of lift and 30 psi, 14.1 GPM at 40 psi and 11.5 GPM at 25 feet and 40 psi.
Red Lion says to set the tank pre-charge to 28 psi because the pump’s switch cuts in at 30, never to put a check valve between the pump and the tank, and to use a GFCI-protected circuit. The 3/4 HP RJS-75-PREM is the smaller version. Our shallow well pump guide compares it with the Goulds J10S and explains foot valves and priming.
- No parts down the well to pull
- Lists 19.5 GPM at 15 feet of lift and 30 psi
- Runs on 115 V or 230 V
- Pressure switch included, set at 30/50
- Stops working past 25 feet of lift, per Red Lion
- Flow falls near 50 psi: 7.7 GPM at 15 feet of lift
- Needs priming at startup
Verdict: The pump to buy when the water stays within 25 feet of the pump, even while it runs.
Red Lion RL12G05-2W2V 1/2 HP 2-Wire Submersible Well Pump
1/2 HP · 2-wire, no control box · 230 V, 6 A (RL12G05-2W1V is 115 V, 12 A) · 12 GPM rated · 212 ft shut-off · 1-1/4 in. FNPT discharge · for 4 in. or larger drilled wells · 3-year limited warranty
A 2-wire submersible has its starting parts inside the motor, so there is no control box to mount and one less part to fail at the surface. Red Lion’s table lists 12 GPM with the pumping level at the surface and 50 psi, 6 GPM at 80 feet and 50 psi, and 7 GPM at 100 feet and 40 psi. Its 212-foot shut-off head is the ceiling, so it suits a cabin or small house with water that is not deep.
This is also the answer to the deep jet pump question. A convertible jet pump set up deep can reach 90 feet, but Red Lion’s own table for the 3/4 HP RJC-75-PREM lists 2.2 GPM at 90 feet and 30 psi. This 1/2 HP submersible lists 6 GPM at 80 feet and 50 psi. The 115 V version (RL12G05-2W1V) draws twice the amps of the 230 V one, and Red Lion’s U.S. cable table for deep well submersibles (based on a 5% voltage drop) allows 160 feet of #12 copper for it against 650 feet for the 230 V version.
- No control box, per Red Lion
- 115 V and 230 V versions
- Lists 6 GPM at 80 feet and 50 psi
- Lowest amp draw here: 6 A at 230 V
- 212-foot shut-off head; not for deep pumping levels
- Flow drops off fast below 80 feet
- The 115 V version needs heavier cable, per Red Lion’s cable table
Verdict: The pick for a cabin or small house with a pumping level under about 100 feet, where you want to skip the control box.
I send an occasional note when a new guide goes up — repairs worth doing yourself, and the parts that actually last. No spam, no course funnel; written by a licensed Georgia plumber.
The Parts to Check Before the Pump
When a well system acts up, the pump is not always the problem. Red Lion’s troubleshooting table blames frequent cycling on a waterlogged tank, a leak between the pressure switch and the tank, or switch settings that are too high. Check these parts before you pull a pump.
| Part | What goes wrong (Red Lion and Franklin) | Replacement sold by Amazon.com or the maker | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure switch | Wrong cut-in or cut-out setting makes the pump cycle too often; a low-pressure cut-off model trips and needs a manual reset | Red Lion 640134 30/50 M4 low-pressure cut-off switch; Merrill MPSHD4060 40/60 (Merrill’s store) | Best well pump pressure switches |
| Pressure tank | A waterlogged tank or wrong pre-charge makes the pump cycle too often | Red Lion RL20A 20-gallon; Red Lion RL34A 34-gallon | Best well pressure tanks |
| Control box (3-wire pumps only) | Holds the starting capacitors and relay; Franklin says a motor run without its box, or with the wrong box, can fail | Red Lion RLCB10-230 (1 HP, 230 V) | Match the HP and voltage on the motor label |
Each linked part was in stock on October 3, 2026, sold by Amazon.com except the Merrill switch, which is sold by Merrill’s own Amazon store.
Pressure switch
Red Lion lists the 640134 as a 30/50 M4 switch, and its Amazon listing describes the low-pressure cut-off: it shuts the pump off when pressure drops 10 psi so the pump does not run dry, and you hold the lever down to restart once the well recovers. We found no Red Lion instruction sheet for this switch, so those details come from the listing. Red Lion’s submersible manual says to reset a low-pressure cut-off switch, if one is installed, when the pump will not start. Our 30/50 vs 40/60 guide covers which setting to run.
Pressure tank
Red Lion says to set the tank’s pre-charge 2 psi below the switch’s cut-in pressure, with the tank empty and no pressure on the system. That is 28 psi for a 30/50 switch, and 38 psi for a 40/60 switch such as the Merrill above (our arithmetic from Red Lion’s 2 psi rule). A tank that has lost its air charge makes the pump start almost every time you open a faucet. Plumber’s note: that short-cycling is hard on the switch contacts and the motor.
Control box
Only 3-wire submersibles have one. Franklin says single-phase 3-wire motors require a control box, that the box holds the starting capacitors and starting relay, and that running a motor without its box, or with the wrong one, can cause motor failure and voids the warranty. Franklin also says to verify that the box’s horsepower and voltage match the motor exactly. Red Lion says to mount the box where it is protected from rain, snow, high heat and temperatures below 14 °F. A 2-wire pump has no box; its starting parts are inside the motor.
Before You Buy
- Find the pumping water level. Use the driller’s report: static level plus drawdown.
- Measure the well. A 4-inch submersible needs a 4-inch or larger well, per Red Lion.
- Count fixtures for the flow. One GPM per fixture, per Red Lion.
- Check the voltage and the wires. Match 115 V or 230 V to your circuit. Plumber’s note: on a submersible you are replacing, count the conductors running down the well. Two plus a ground is usually a 2-wire pump; three plus a ground is a 3-wire pump that needs a control box.
- Replace like with like. If the old pump did the job, Red Lion says to use the same style and horsepower.
Install Notes and When to Call a Pro
Red Lion says submersible wiring should be done by a licensed electrician or water systems contractor, that a ground fault circuit interrupter is required, and that the pump should hang at least 5 feet off the bottom of the well. Its jet pump manuals also call for a GFCI-protected circuit. Plumber’s note: a shallow well jet pump is a reasonable homeowner job if you can sweat or thread pipe and prime a pump. Pulling a submersible means lifting the pump, pipe and wire out of the well without dropping them, and most homeowners should hire a well contractor for that. Ask your county or state well program whether work inside the well needs a licensed well contractor or a permit.
FAQ
What type of well pump do I need?
Start with the depth to the water while the pump runs. Red Lion’s guide puts 0 to 25 feet on a shallow well or convertible jet pump, 25 to 90 feet on a convertible jet pump set up with two pipes or a submersible, and 0 to 250 feet on a submersible. Wells deeper than 250 feet go to the maker’s tech support.
How do I find out how deep the water is in my well?
Check the well driller’s report, which lists the static level and the drawdown. Red Lion defines the pumping water level as the depth to the water while the well is being pumped, which is usually deeper than the level when the pump is off. If you are replacing a pump that worked, Red Lion says to use the same style and horsepower.
What size well pump do I need for my house?
Red Lion’s rule is one gallon per minute for each fixture: count the faucets, toilets, tub or shower, washer and dishwasher, but not the water heater or filters. Its example house with eight fixtures needs 8 GPM. Then find that flow at your pumping level and pressure in the maker’s table, and do not pump more than the well can yield.
Is a submersible or jet pump better?
For water deeper than 25 feet, a submersible. At a 60-foot pumping level, Red Lion lists 8 GPM at 50 psi for its 1/2 HP submersible and 5.4 GPM at 30 psi for its 3/4 HP convertible jet pump. Inside 25 feet, a jet pump is easier to service because nothing is down the well but pipe.
My well pump keeps turning on and off. Is the pump bad?
Not necessarily. Red Lion’s troubleshooting lists a waterlogged pressure tank, a leak between the switch and the tank, and wrong switch settings as causes of a pump that cycles too often. Check the tank pre-charge first: Red Lion says 2 psi below the switch’s cut-in pressure, which is 28 psi on a 30/50 switch.
Why Trust Plumbing Picks
Plumbing Picks is written by a licensed Georgia journeyman plumber. Every spec here comes from the maker documents linked below, or from the Amazon listings we link; nothing comes from hands-on testing. On October 3, 2026, every linked listing was in stock and sold by Amazon.com, or by the maker’s own Amazon store where we say so. If you buy through a link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody pays to be included here. More on who writes this and how we pick.
Sources
- Red Lion: 1-2-3 Easy Guide for pump and tank selection
- Red Lion: RJS-PREM shallow well jet pumps (performance table), owner’s manual
- Red Lion: RJC-PREM convertible jet pumps (performance table), owner’s manual
- Red Lion: RL series 4-inch submersible well pumps and control boxes, RL series spec sheet, owner’s manual
- Red Lion: accessories sheet (pressure switches), product catalog (cable selection table)
- Red Lion: pre-charged pressure tank manual
- Franklin Electric: submersible motors Application, Installation, Maintenance (AIM) manual
- Franklin Electric: SubDrive and MonoDrive constant pressure controllers brochure (M1459)
- Amazon listings for the Red Lion RJS-100-PREM, RL12G10-3W2V, RL12G05-2W2V and RL12G05-2W1V pumps, the RLCB10-230 control box, the 640134 pressure switch, the RL20A and RL34A tanks and the Merrill MPSHD4060 switch (linked above)
Bottom Line
Buy the well pump that matches your pumping water level: a shallow well jet pump such as the Red Lion RJS-100-PREM when the water stays within 25 feet, and a submersible such as the Red Lion RL12G10-3W2V for a drilled well deeper than that. Size it by counting fixtures and reading the maker’s table at your depth and pressure. Before you replace a pump, check the tank pre-charge, the pressure switch and, on a 3-wire pump, the control box.