SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

I have a question and I may be over-thinking it. I am about to go home and measure my pressure and GPM. I am on a well (3"main with a 3hp pump). I will probably stub out from the well site which is a 1.25" pipe. I was planning on measuring my GPM from the hose bib at the well site, but, to me seems like it would be more restrictive than the 1.25 pipe. The water sprays about 8' out from the bib, will I get an accurate GPM? I know I have a high pressure based on the fact that if I leave a hose connected to the house with the faucet on and a nozzle on the end (off) it will eventually balloon out my hose. Is there a better way to measure the GPM or will I be ok? Also, the only way I know to measure GPM is to fill a five gallon bucket and doing the math after I see how long it takes to fill it. ANY and ALL advice is appreciated. I have installed my own systems on city water, but, not on a well. I have used T-Birds in the past but since they are no longer made was thinking of the Hunter PGM's. Thanks to all.

Thanks,
Now...I did my pressure and GPM measurements. I was pumping 15 GPM, but, my pump kept cycling off and on maintaining my PSI between 42-47PSI (pump kicks on at 42 and off around 47-50, the press. gauge at the well is reading 60psi). From what I have been reading, you dont want your pump to cycle off and on, is this correct? What should I do next? My thinking is that if I put someone at another hose bib (or two if need be)with a hose(s) running at the same time I am measuring my GPM on the bib at the well origin, and the pressure stays above 42 I could then add the two together. Will that give me a more accurate max. GPM and prevent my pump from cycling on and off? I dont want to ruin my well pump (3hp). Thanks

I guess I wasn't clear on my question/dilema. I think my hose bib is restrictive to the max flow. (Meaning, I think the max GPM through my hose bib is 15GPM and I will be able to flow more with adequate pressure through the 1.25" pipe) When I open the hose bib closest to the POC, it sprays out about 6 or 7 feet out from the faucet. I checked with two five gallon buckets and they filled in 40 seconds (15 GPM) But, as I said earlier, the pump is cycling on and off. I am unable to run enough water through the one hose bib to make the pump run continuously (that is my goal, correct?). If that is indeed my goal, will it work to open two hose bibs, check the pressure, and if the pressure is high enough with both open, measure and add the two hose bibs.