Brumby Pump

[FallbrookFarmer]

Saw this well pump on YouTube, and was wondering if anyone has any experience with installation/use of them, and also if there is a US equivalent?
(If you haven't seen the video, it's about an air powered water pump, that seems to be a lot less subject to breakdown than a electric pump). Thanks.

 

[dave1949]

Hi Fallbrook Farmer,

Here is an American air powered well pump:

Aermotor Windmill Company Inc.- Economical Energy Wind Water Pump - Welcome

:thumbsup::laughing: Dave.

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

Hi Fallbrook Farmer,

Here is an American air powered well pump:

Aermotor Windmill Company Inc.- Economical Energy Wind Water Pump - Welcome

:thumbsup::laughing: Dave.

Hi Dave
Sorry, I should have been more specific, its uses COMPRESSED air, like from a compressor.
If you look on you tube, a Guy in Ecuador(health ranger) is using one, no moving parts, except a floating ball.

 

[dave1949]

Hi Dave
Sorry, I should have been more specific, its uses COMPRESSED air, like from a compressor.
If you look on you tube, a Guy in Ecuador(health ranger) is using one, no moving parts, except a floating ball.

Sorry for what? I was just pulling your leg a bit. Seriously, I don't know anything about the pump you are looking for info on, have heard of them though. It sounds like it would be reasonable. I wonder what the limitations may be.
Dave.

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

Sorry for what? I was just pulling your leg a bit. Seriously, I don't know anything about the pump you are looking for info on, have heard of them though. It sounds like it would be reasonable. I wonder what the limitations may be.
Dave.

I WAS wondering why my pants seemed shorter today!

 

[dave1949]

I looked at the 'net info on these pumps. I think they may only be used for pumping into a non-pressurized tank or pond. A regular house service well pump pumps into a pressurized tank.

Also, as to cost, the Brumby and a good submersible don't seem that far apart, plus you need a constant duty cycle air compressor to run it. Constant duty cycle means the compressor motor, etc. has to be capable of running for long periods (hours) at a time.

The amount of standing/static water above the Brumby pump is critical apparently for it to function (bubbly water is lighter than non-bubbly water).

The benefits seem to be the Brumby is not affected by sand and scale or grit, and it is not ruined if the water level in the well drops below the pump.

There are a couple Aussie's and NZer's on here, maybe they will pick up this thread.

Dave.

 

[dcyrilc]

Have you tried contacting Brumby pumps? They say on their website that if they don't have a distributer in your part of the world that they will deal directly. It never hurts to ask questions/prices.

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

I would be using irrigation,rather than domestic water.
It seems as thought they have a patent on the design, so I guess a US equivalent isn't likely.
Sooo-- anybody from down under have any of the straight dope?

 

[jaquetarr]

I've contacted brumby pumps in AU. There is no American dealer so they will sell one directly to you. With shipping it runs about $1200/ I'd have to check emails for the exact number.
The Aeromoter website powers a buffalo brand pump. (memory problem?)
I have today just installed an buffalo airlift pump, set about 400 ft and using a Husky air comp set about 50 psi to pump water. The rate is about 1 gal per min. Air compressor ran all the time.
Well water level is at 270 ft down, pump is set at 400ft.
discharge was open ended as I was watching it work. The discharge would have to be directed to an open tank to vent the airflow and eleminate any back pressure.

I can tell you the Brumby pump is about 7 ft long & the buffalo is about 14 inches.
Be glad to answer any other questions,
Rgds,
tim

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

I've contacted brumby pumps in AU. There is no American dealer so they will sell one directly to you. With shipping it runs about $1200/ I'd have to check emails for the exact number.
The Aeromoter website powers a buffalo brand pump. (memory problem?)
I have today just installed an buffalo airlift pump, set about 400 ft and using a Husky air comp set about 50 psi to pump water. The rate is about 1 gal per min. Air compressor ran all the time.
Well water level is at 270 ft down, pump is set at 400ft.
discharge was open ended as I was watching it work. The discharge would have to be directed to an open tank to vent the airflow and eleminate any back pressure.

I can tell you the Brumby pump is about 7 ft long & the buffalo is about 14 inches.
Be glad to answer any other questions,
Rgds,
tim

Thanks for the info.
It would seem that the Buffalo and the Brumby are similar, I will call Buffalo to get more info.
The Buffalo certainly is a LOT cheaper, so that's a plus.
Are you satisfied as to the results that you got?

 

[jbooth]

Brumby may have a patent on the pump, but the concept has been around for a long time.

In my wife's grandmother basement was an old riveted tank that was probably around 500 gallons. I also found an old compressor and hit and miss engine that was supposed to be for the water system prior to electricity. Apparently this system bubbled the water into the tank and then changing valves the tank was pressurized with the same compressor and presto they had indoor running water. I would guess that the system was installed in the basement prior to building the house. This would have placed the system in the early 1920s. I'm sure there were no automatic start and stops with this old system. It was probably pretty high maintenance but it was a big improvement over pulling the well pump handle. Been there done that. I imagine the reason for the large tank was to have a longer duration of time between pressurizations.

 

[jaquetarr]

The pump pumps water in fits & starts, but it does pump. This is what I want. Also, there is nothing down the hole except pipe. No pump to fail or get stuck. Can't tell you how many pumps I've pulled due to various failures.
Since I've not tried the Brumby I can't say which one is best.
My tests have been with an open ended pipe. I have to connect to the tank to see how that preforms. Then I can say if I'm satisfied with the pump.

Buffalo Air Pumps | Stainless Steel Pumps | Air Compressor Pump | Water Well Development

Here is the link to the site.
As on the Brumby website or you tube movie, the pump is easy to pull & move to another bore. Perfect for filling range water tanks.
Rgds, tim

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

The pump pumps water in fits & starts, but it does pump. This is what I want. Also, there is nothing down the hole except pipe. No pump to fail or get stuck. Can't tell you how many pumps I've pulled due to various failures.
Since I've not tried the Brumby I can't say which one is best.
My tests have been with an open ended pipe. I have to connect to the tank to see how that preforms. Then I can say if I'm satisfied with the pump.

Buffalo Air Pumps | Stainless Steel Pumps | Air Compressor Pump | Water Well Development

Here is the link to the site.
As on the Brumby website or you tube movie, the pump is easy to pull & move to another bore. Perfect for filling range water tanks.
Rgds, tim

That's the reason I was interested,Hate to have to do things 2-3 times. I am thinking of pumping to a cistern or tanks, so the "fits and starts" shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for all the good advice.

 

[jaquetarr]

When I get time, I'll try to post a short video with the pump working. Right now I've got the pump routed to two 1500 gal tanks I use for the guest house. The pump put about 2 1/2 feet of water in the tank over a 9-10 hr period. Over all, I'm satisfied it will do as I wish. And if I have a problem, all I have down the hole is two pieces of plastic pipe. I can run to Home Depot & buy another oilless air compressor for about $300 or less than it would cost for a new deep well pump & service rig to pull & set.
Rgds,
tim

 

[jaquetarr]

Here are a few pics of the pump in action. (cannot download movie)
400' down
about 270' to water level
compressor set to 50 psi
1" discharge pipe.
3/8" > 1/2" . 1/4" air supply line
The pump is about 14" long and about 1 1/2" in dia, made of SUS

You can see the water comes up with the air bubbles. The discharge is not constant but follows the air bubbles.

Rgds,
tim

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

Here are a few pics of the pump in action. (cannot download movie)
400' down
about 270' to water level
compressor set to 50 psi
1" discharge pipe.
3/8" > 1/2" . 1/4" air supply line
The pump is about 14" long and about 1 1/2" in dia, made of SUS

You can see the water comes up with the air bubbles. The discharge is not constant but follows the air bubbles.

Rgds,
tim

Thanks for the pics
That's a really cool set up ,and I like the idea of not having to replacing expensive parts that are down a hole.
Got to get me one!

 

[MountainAmerican]

i see that this post is old but maybe you will get this. there is some good info on the web and some videos but you have to keep searching. i have tried a test airlift pump just in the pond and it works but it was just a 1" pipe with an air tube put in the bottom end. i have built what i think will work better. i have a well that i havent found the bottom yet but the water level is 40 ft down and i have at least 110 ft of water below. this should be enough. you have to have your pipe approx 2/3 of the actual lift in the water. no you wont get a pressurized system but you can get the water to the surface then put a smaller pressure system on a tank you fill. i have just finished making the pump part and will be trying it out this week i hope. if i can get it to work well maybe i will put a video out too. if it works as it is i dont have hardly any $$ in the supplies maybe $30 besides the pipe or tubing to out it in the well. i dont know your purpose but i just want to be able to pull up to the well using a generator and compressor and pump water for live stock. if i cam fill a tank then i can also get a small portable pressure system also if i wanted. i figure that instead of putting approx 1000 +/_ dollars down each well i can spend maybe $150 per well and use the more expensive parts at all the wells.

 

[dcyrilc]

i see that this post is old but maybe you will get this. there is some good info on the web and some videos but you have to keep searching. i have tried a test airlift pump just in the pond and it works but it was just a 1" pipe with an air tube put in the bottom end. i have built what i think will work better. i have a well that i havent found the bottom yet but the water level is 40 ft down and i have at least 110 ft of water below. this should be enough. you have to have your pipe approx 2/3 of the actual lift in the water. no you wont get a pressurized system but you can get the water to the surface then put a smaller pressure system on a tank you fill. i have just finished making the pump part and will be trying it out this week i hope. if i can get it to work well maybe i will put a video out too. if it works as it is i dont have hardly any $$ in the supplies maybe $30 besides the pipe or tubing to out it in the well. i dont know your purpose but i just want to be able to pull up to the well using a generator and compressor and pump water for live stock. if i cam fill a tank then i can also get a small portable pressure system also if i wanted. i figure that instead of putting approx 1000 +/_ dollars down each well i can spend maybe $150 per well and use the more expensive parts at all the wells.

:welcome: to TBN. Sounds like you've got a good plan.:thumbsup:

 

[sharpstick]

. . . i have a well that i havent found the bottom yet but the water level is 40 ft down and i have at least 110 ft of water below. . . .

What is the design of your pump? Does it have any moving parts or can the bubbles carry the water up?
The Brumby and Buffalo have a chamber that allows the pressure to build up and then pulse the water up the pipe.
I've heard of some DIY air pumps but haven't been able to find any plans yet.

 

[Brumby62]

I just found this old thread on the net and thought I would clarify a few things. There are a couple of versions of the Brumby Pump. In some cases it requires a controller. The Brumby Pump goes from $646 Aussie Dollars delivered to the US and the small model is 3ft long and weighs 4 pounds, so is easy to work with.
We are also discussing manufacture in the US, which will bring prices down.
It is also currently being tested in stripper wells in a couple of US states and is successful and economic so far.
Please feel free to ask any questions via our website www.brumbypumps.com

Tom