Brumby Pump

[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