The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Alternative methods and solutions => Topic started by: DMcCoy on November 21, 2014, 08:25:42 AM

Title: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: DMcCoy on November 21, 2014, 08:25:42 AM
i was at the saw shop yesterday and saw a flier on these hand pumps.  Connects into house water system.
Clever!
http://www.simplepump.com/ 
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: sawguy21 on November 21, 2014, 09:47:26 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: JJ on November 21, 2014, 11:36:04 AM
the full installation is $1600
Pump list price: HAND-OPERATED SIMPLE PUMP   $1,510

I will stick with my $400 6KW generator.

         JJ
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: hoardac on November 21, 2014, 10:18:05 PM
These are a little cheaper and made in the USA also.
http://bisonpumps.com/standard-casing-hand-pump-use-electric-submersible/
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Ljohnsaw on November 21, 2014, 10:26:53 PM
I bought a Simple Pump and installed it last summer.  Right now, I have the hand lever on it.  Four strokes and the water is coming out.  Fifteen strokes to the gallon :D  Filling a 5 gallon can take a bit (was doing cement work).  I will be off-grid so my plan is to buy their 24v DC powerhead and run from solar to fill a holding tank (cistern) in my basement when I finish my cabin.

The only issue I've had is the top gland was leaking as you pumped.  Probably a teaspoon of water with each stroke.  They sent me a replacement part and seals.  Apparently the top part was a smidge too big and didn't compress the seals around the shaft quite enough.  Now it just weeps a little (didn't swap the seals but probably will when I go solar).  Overall a well made product.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: luvmexfood on November 22, 2014, 05:37:38 PM
My sister and BIL used to live right beside me in a mobile home. They moved and are now about 700 ft away from me and uphill some. Maybe 60 ft in elevation. Anyway, they drilled a well and came up with pure muddy water.

So we had a large enough pump that we could boost the pressure on and pump to them. Ran a one inch line and put a pressure reducer to my house. Don't know how much water that line stores but if we loose power I have yet to run out of water. Six days has been the longest and I try and be extremly thrifty with it. Pee in the yard as much as possible. Can't shower because no hot water.

Long story short you might want to look into a similiar arangement if you have a hill behind your house. Bury a line to enough elevation gain and you could just bury a roll of black plastic pipe. The larger the size the more storage and pressure you get. The line going up to it does not have to be that big.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: John Mc on November 22, 2014, 07:21:26 PM
Great! If the power goes out, I can pump water half way up out of my well.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Al_Smith on November 23, 2014, 08:56:32 PM
Quote from: JJ on November 21, 2014, 11:36:04 AM
the full installation is $1600
Pump list price: HAND-OPERATED SIMPLE PUMP   $1,510

I will stick with my $400 6KW generator.

         JJ
That would be my prefered option also . ;D
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Ljohnsaw on November 24, 2014, 12:10:18 AM
Quote from: JJ on November 21, 2014, 11:36:04 AM
the full installation is $1600
Pump list price: HAND-OPERATED SIMPLE PUMP   $1,510

I will stick with my $400 6KW generator.

         JJ

But if you don't have a pump installed at all - what does an A/C submersiable pump cost these days?  Last one I bought came with my new drilled well (330') 25 years ago and that ran me $5,000 ::)
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Al_Smith on November 24, 2014, 04:52:57 AM
As far as a pump most likely a 1/2 HP Goulds around $400 give or take retail .Of course I haven't bought retail for decades unless I have to . ;)

A well 17-20 bucks a foot .Not terrible.The water around here is 100-120 feet

Then again if it were the high plateus in Nebraska or Colorado it might be half way to China .
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: enigmaT120 on November 26, 2014, 12:32:04 PM
Quote from: John Mc on November 22, 2014, 07:21:26 PM
Great! If the power goes out, I can pump water half way up out of my well.

At least you would keep warm!  I have a spring-fed cistern, so when my power goes out and I want water, I fill up buckets or jugs from the cistern's overflow.  I'll haul water in buckets up from the creek to flush the toilets or even bathe.  So far the longest I've been without electricity has been about 1 1/2 weeks, I think.  I don't think I would bother installing either of those pumps. 
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: shinnlinger on December 09, 2014, 07:56:09 AM
I helped a neighbor install the Bison hand pump a few years ago.   It works very well and he is well pleased as they say.   
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: den on January 27, 2015, 11:02:53 PM
This is the cheap way to go.
http://www.alpharubicon.com/primitive/wellbucketspitfire.htm
http://www.countrysidemag.com/83-1/steve_belanger/
http://www.countrysidemag.com/90-4/robert_sulek/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrMBKePS4Xg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLxKceB0q8M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_RqQ3elzNU
http://waterbuckpump.com/
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: DDDfarmer on February 02, 2015, 07:09:53 PM
Just got a quote on a drilled well.

$44 per foot 6" case 100' min
$1500 testing/grouting
$100 6" cap
$300 for the drill bit.

Travel included ( I'm within their ok travel range)
sand screen and fracturing extra

Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Kbeitz on February 18, 2016, 07:28:33 PM
Just a lift pump... Just a small part of my collection.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/Building_full.jpg)

Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: r.man on February 18, 2016, 08:52:21 PM
Kbeitz any double piston pumps in there?
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Kbeitz on February 19, 2016, 05:59:49 AM
I think I got 3 double pumps...



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/Duro_twin_cly.jpg)
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Paul_H on January 30, 2021, 05:53:45 PM
We installed a Bison deep well pump today and it went pretty good with Carla helping. Start to finish was 2 hours to install six 8' lengths of pipe and sucker rods. The well casing was oblong on top so I had to make some mods with a hammer and a bit of work with a pocket knife to make the top seal fit the still somewhat oblong opening.

Our well is 90' and static level is around 15'. It's really well built and is 7 pumps to the gallon. We have a wood cookstove for heat and cooking and adequate food but water has been a concern when there are power failures and although we have a good backup generator that takes a couple minutes to setup,we've gone days without power and people, animals and gardens need water. In 2003 we were cutoff a week from the rest of the world by a flood and remained comfortable with six of us as well as an extra neighbour and ice storms have left us without electricity innumerable times.

Fitting the pump to the first section of pipe

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/IMG_0153.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1612045565)

A cool tool to hold the pipe while connecting the sucker rods then the pipe

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/IMG_0154.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1612045610)

The pump head hooked up and the safety rope tied to the cap then the sealing rubber under the cap is lowered into the casing then tightened down.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/IMG_0155.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1612045652)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/IMG_0158.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1612045726)

Easy to pump and can be connected to the pressure tank and feed the house if needed
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Walnut Beast on January 30, 2021, 06:13:54 PM
Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I take it that works in plastic casing also
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Paul_H on January 30, 2021, 06:18:33 PM
I believe they have many options for different casings and sizes.

Hand Water Pump, Well Hand Water Pump By Bison Pumps (http://www.bisonpumps.com)
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: SwampDonkey on January 31, 2021, 06:21:19 AM
In my grandfather's day, she was all hand pumped. When we moved into great grandfather's old house 50 years ago, it was a hand pump and dad put in an electric and ran the line in. These days in new house, I just use the generator on backup, same old well. All my gardens are watered from creek water and Honda water pump, 60 gallon tank. Of course that isn't watering 5 acres. ;D  I never water from well water, and would not think of watering 5 acres from a well. Good drinking water is too precious. My well is 80 feet and has taken 4 very dry summers in a row. Never drained her in 50 years. :) I like my generator set up. Clip a switch on the breaker, turn a key to crank up the generator. We have a lot of outages here, Arthur was a week long, but most are 2 hours long. You don't have to run a generator all day anyway, you can recharge your holding tank every once in a while and recharge the freezer and fridge every so often, so maybe 4hr on 4hr off. Waste of fuel, to run one all day in a crisis situation if you don't need all that power all the time. But people will run them through the whole marathon. :)
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Al_Smith on January 31, 2021, 08:09:13 AM
Just as general info during a over load situation usually during the hot summer months the power company can regulate the voltage in sections .By driving the voltage level low things like freezers will not cycle .What they do is stagger sections to go to full voltage about 20 minutes every two hours .
They claim if the refridgerators are not open and shut often this will prevent food spoilage .


 
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Paul_H on January 31, 2021, 01:36:28 PM
Quote from: SwampDonkey on January 31, 2021, 06:21:19 AM
 You don't have to run a generator all day anyway, you can recharge your holding tank every once in a while and recharge the freezer and fridge every so often, so maybe 4hr on 4hr off. Waste of fuel, to run one all day in a crisis situation if you don't need all that power all the time. But people will run them through the whole marathon. :)
When we flooded in 03 the railway and highway bridges were washed out and it was over a week before any fuel or groceries could come in the valley and the lineups were long. I keep 15 gals of gasoline for the generator plus the truck and tractor are always above 3/4 tank. The nearest potable surface water here is around 3 miles away and standing in line is not my favourite pastime. We were without power in the heat of August for 3 days a few years ago and we kept the fridge and freezers going with the generator twice a day while our neighbour covered his freezer with sleeping bags and blankets and that worked well for him. 
I always tried to teach our kids to be prepared to be a help and not helpless in times of trouble and let resources be used for those that need them most and that was because my dad would often say how thankful he was to not have to look on helplessly while his children starved.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Al_Smith on January 31, 2021, 03:59:59 PM
Since 1996 I've only been on an extended time of 4 days without power .That happened during  the largest ice storm in the country in over 100 years  and Lima Ohio was the epicenter of it .That one took down100 plus feet oak trees over 200 years old .One inch of ice broke them like tooth picks .
During that time I ran on  a 5000 watt gasoline generator that used about 5 gallons in 9 hours .We had water, two refridgeraters ,Television and computers plus the fan for the wood stove insert  .Coffee pot and used a hot plate instead of  the kitchen range .Warm as toast with plumbing and cold beer and hot food,it wasn't that bad .I went through a bunch of gasoline which was around a dollar a gallon but I didn't freeze any pipes .
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 01, 2021, 11:13:51 AM
Good thing about my forced air furnace is it takes very little power in case of an outtage and in need of generator. Of course better is an efficient stove in the middle of the house if you don't want forced air. But you build a house with some kind of fall back plan. So forced air works for me. I can use convection all day long, and if sunny don't need any fire at all, zip. In 1998 ice storm all we had was a forced air furnace on convection, no generator. I think that was a 5 day deal. Down at the barn we had water on gravity fed spring, fill the cream cans. I stayed as a kid at a lady's house (1970's), she hauled all her water in cream cans from her mother's house. I been around the hauling drinking water gig and I'm not old, yet. :D
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Paul_H on February 01, 2021, 02:26:07 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10199/woodcookstoveopt.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1571450685)
 

We replaced our other wood stove with this a year and a half ago and it heats the whole house and our food too. It burns around 4-5  cord a year and the furnace hasn't been on since. Most cooking is done with it between oct- april
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Walnut Beast on February 01, 2021, 02:34:27 PM
Love it 👍
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: PoginyHill on February 01, 2021, 02:47:00 PM
I am very lucky to have bought a farmhouse that has a gravity-fed spring (not sure when spring was plumbed in, but house is circa 1875). Spring is about 2,500 ft away and feeds into a 250gal tank in our basement. Shallow well pump & pressure tank in the basement is only to provide pressure for the house. I run excess water into the field during winter so line does not freeze. Had that happen once before I began the trickle one fall.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Paul_H on February 01, 2021, 02:57:20 PM
Our neighbour two doors over has a spring with all the water he needs and it sounds like a similar system to yours. It would be great to have a similar system.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Will.K on February 01, 2021, 03:03:59 PM
In Maiden Spring in Tazewell County VA, a 100-year-old ram pump supplied water to the farm above, probably over 1500 feet distant and 100 feet higher in elevation. As of a few years ago this pump was still running. No electricity, only hydraulic pressure from the large karst spring.

Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 01, 2021, 03:07:21 PM
The old spring I mentioned provided water at my grandparents house, and watered the cattle in the barn. My cousin later used it up until 2003 I think and then drilled a well. It would go dry some summers. But the next place down was all on springs and never went dry. Great grandfathers had a cistern for capturing rain water in the basement. There were lots of houses up here with cisterns. Up the road a mile was an old place, house was gone when I was a kid, we used to stop at the spring house when bicycling up there. We'd be coming and going from trout fishing. Cousin tore it out. Wasn't thinking straight, that one. :D
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 01, 2021, 03:27:27 PM
We had a couple springs we got water at on the farm when working in the fields, they'd be off in the woods a couple steps.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: mudfarmer on February 02, 2021, 10:14:26 AM
We've bought some pumps from these folks in Maine and have been very happy NEMO SOLAR DC SUBMERSIBLE WELL PUMPS ? Affordable USA Made Solar water pumps (https://www.nemopumps.com/) -- using submersible in a well and another in a spring box and one surface pump fed by gravity from a spring. So far have powered them with solar panels (get a low voltage disconnect if doing this) and off vehicle batteries. Right now with the well for the livestock when we go there in the morning and evening we connect via jumper cables to whatever we drove there, tractor, UTV, car, truck and let water pump while doling out the feed. Just another option to consider if you need water but don't have the cash for a bison or simplepump.
Title: Re: Power outage well pump solution
Post by: Edvantage on February 19, 2021, 05:15:25 PM
I installed this on my well. Pumping from 40 feet. When power is out I cap spout and connect garden hose from check valve I installed on pump to my outside faucet. This allows me to fill my pressure tank and take showers or whatever I need. Water heater is propane no electricity required. New house has flowing well about 3000 gallons per day. Hope to use overflow to raise trout.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54188/20210219_165934.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1613772230)