Water Well Advice ? A/C or Solar ?

[Spike56]

I have a 6" water well (capped off) that an oil company drilled to fracture a nearby well. Best I recall, the well is about 330' deep with water level about 70'. I am considering using this only for cattle and a backup "prepper type" supply (not connect to the house). I have had a water well source previously, so I know some of the "in's and out's".

POWER: I *could* run A/C power from an existing meter loop to the well, it's about 150' away so ($$) trench, wire, conduit (must have, gophers). There is other power nearby if I added a pole and meter loop. But, I am NOT going this route ! Aside from the cost of this hook-up, the power Co. charges about 20-30/ Month just to have another meter. I already have (2) and this really rubs me wrong to pay almost $30 even if you do not use electricity.

I am considering solar, but do not know what all this entails. Anyone have experience with Solar water production ?
May not get this project off the ground due to costs and "what I want to end up with". For me, its a MUST that there has to be a slab, a building (which I would mount solar panels on) and a storage tank inside. My previous well had a building to protect my control box / softener (don't need now) and protect everything against the weather.

One of my concerns about Solar would be during winters. My last well used A/C, so was able to keep heat in the building at night. But, with solar, I really don't want to include battery storage for this purpose ($$).
Also, I could just take a flashlight to see around inside, but would be nice to have a light.

So, right now, I am in the thought / planning process only for the solar option. Do not want any big regrets. Any advice here ? I should mention also, I looked into the deep well hand pumps.... although would be cheaper... not wanting to go that route.

 

[stuckmotor]

I guess you've watched the presentations on the subject on YouTube.
Good luck

 

[workinonit]

Sounds like youy would be better off with a wind mill.

 

[oosik]

My neighbor to the south is a big cattle rancher and has two REALLY remote, solar watering stations. However - they are only used in the summer. Winter - he brings the cows in to a feeding yard. Year round use of solar for a watering station does entail added factors. I really don't know how much solar it would take to keep a small building warm enough to provide water during the entire winter. Battery backup would be expensive - considering you could have extended times with cloud cover.

Suggest you contact a solar supplier and see what they recommend - have to offer.

 

[Spike56]

Sounds like youy would be better off with a wind mill.

I thought about a windmill for a brief moment. Then realized that during the hot months in E Central Texas, we get too much sun, but often July into Sept, not a lot of wind when I would really need the water. Plus, I took a quick look at wind solutions... ($$) Yikes, never knew how much this costs.

 

[Valveman]

Windmills are expensive and need yearly maintenance. Climbing the tower to check the oil and pulling the sucker rods and pump barrel is not an easy job either. The only windmill I would ever work on was for my grandfather. He had tied himself about half way up the tower with his belt when his knees gave out on him. After I found him and got him down, Grandmother no longer allowed him to climb the towers. Lol!

If you have no other options solar will work. But even if the price of electricity goes up another 300-400% a Solar pump will never pay for itself. 30 bucks a month for a meter is cheap after dealing with a solar pump for a few years. You can at least use a bleeder orifice or drill a small hole in the drop pipe so the water drains out every time the pump is shut off. Along with a pitless adapter nothing freezes this way when just filling a storage tank or cattle water trough.

But I must admit I also am looking at a solar pump for one of my wells. Not because I think solar will save me any money, as just the opposite will happen. BUT, at least I will have access to water when the grid goes down, which it will do more and more as time goes on. Green energy is the same as a solar powered pump. You only have energy or water when the sun shines. Even when augmented with wind generators, you still only have power or water when the sun shines and/or the wind blows. But unfortunately even that is fast becoming more dependable than grid power.

 

[JM7500]

There are battery-less DC systems available such as this:

Sunrotor SR-4 Starter System - Practical Preppers

*Note: This product requires consultation. Click "Contact Us" to submit details about your project. This SR-4 basic system is perfect for someone who wishes to purchase their system and find their own well driller / pump installer. All necessary components for the pump installation are included...

practicalpreppers.com

And Amazon has them too. Some just fill a tank with an overflow and only shut off if the water runs or sun goes down. You can add a DC light for the well house during the day.

 

[MossRoad]

I have a 6" water well (capped off) that an oil company drilled to fracture a nearby well. Best I recall, the well is about 330' deep with water level about 70'. I am considering using this only for cattle and a backup "prepper type" supply (not connect to the house). I have had a water well source previously, so I know some of the "in's and out's".

POWER: I *could* run A/C power from an existing meter loop to the well, it's about 150' away so ($$) trench, wire, conduit (must have, gophers). There is other power nearby if I added a pole and meter loop. But, I am NOT going this route ! Aside from the cost of this hook-up, the power Co. charges about 20-30/ Month just to have another meter. I already have (2) and this really rubs me wrong to pay almost $30 even if you do not use electricity.

I am considering solar, but do not know what all this entails. Anyone have experience with Solar water production ?
May not get this project off the ground due to costs and "what I want to end up with". For me, its a MUST that there has to be a slab, a building (which I would mount solar panels on) and a storage tank inside. My previous well had a building to protect my control box / softener (don't need now) and protect everything against the weather.

One of my concerns about Solar would be during winters. My last well used A/C, so was able to keep heat in the building at night. But, with solar, I really don't want to include battery storage for this purpose ($$).
Also, I could just take a flashlight to see around inside, but would be nice to have a light.

So, right now, I am in the thought / planning process only for the solar option. Do not want any big regrets. Any advice here ? I should mention also, I looked into the deep well hand pumps.... although would be cheaper... not wanting to go that route.

I’d first be concerned with a fracking well. Was it just to pump out water? Have you had the water tested?

 

[Tinhack]

There's no "winter" to speak of just east of Austin. However, I'd go electric even with the sun so prevalent. I've had several small solar panels for lights and security and NONE of the panels made it to the third year. All of my electric and water lines are in 2" conduit and pipe for the reason you mention (gophers) and I also went down about 2-3'. I did all the trenching myself with a rented trencher. The first time with a hang-on for my house and barn electric and house well water. Then later with a ride-on for co-op water they made available out here in the sticks. I did all ~1300 feet of PVC pipe water line with the ride-on in one day.

 

[stuckmotor]

Windmills are expensive and need yearly maintenance. Climbing the tower to check the oil and pulling the sucker rods and pump barrel is not an easy job either. The only windmill I would ever work on was for my grandfather. He had tied himself about half way up the tower with his belt when his knees gave out on him. After I found him and got him down, Grandmother no longer allowed him to climb the towers. Lol!

If you have no other options solar will work. But even if the price of electricity goes up another 300-400% a Solar pump will never pay for itself. 30 bucks a month for a meter is cheap after dealing with a solar pump for a few years. You can at least use a bleeder orifice or drill a small hole in the drop pipe so the water drains out every time the pump is shut off. Along with a pitless adapter nothing freezes this way when just filling a storage tank or cattle water trough.

But I must admit I also am looking at a solar pump for one of my wells. Not because I think solar will save me any money, as just the opposite will happen. BUT, at least I will have access to water when the grid goes down, which it will do more and more as time goes on. Green energy is the same as a solar powered pump. You only have energy or water when the sun shines. Even when augmented with wind generators, you still only have power or water when the sun shines and/or the wind blows. But unfortunately even that is fast becoming more dependable than grid power.

The windmill at my grandfathers farm never pumped water in my lifetime. I remember him referring to the wooden platform below the blades and saying he used to stand up there and add oil. He never climbed to the top since I was born, either.

 

[oosik]

I drive south - down into the wheat country( the Palouse ). Every old farm has, at least, one windmill. Not a one of them still operate. All replaced with electricity when it became available. I wanted one - just as a decoration. Until I found out how very heavy the entire unit was.

 

[Doofy]

Sounds like you need a Brumby pump! This simple pump uses air instead of electricity and weighs just a pound or two.

 

[rbstern]

How about solar + electric windmill? Should be able to generate power with sunshine, at night, and during inclement weather.

Having a small battery bank would be helpful, but the water tank is, in effect, a battery.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

The windmill at my grandfathers farm never pumped water in my lifetime. I filled remember him referring to the wooden platform below the blades and saying he used to stand up there and add oil. He never climbed to the top since I was born, either.

My relatives had a big tall windmill, still there. They had a big tank filled by the mill and gravity fed the house. They had running water 30 years before electricity came to this area. Probably 70 feet tall. Metal tower and all.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Just use a submerged pump and a generator. PTO or stand alone. Big water tank. Fill a 500 gal tank. Get a bucket for grid down.

 

[sailonner]

I have a 6" water well (capped off) that an oil company drilled to fracture a nearby well. Best I recall, the well is about 330' deep with water level about 70'. I am considering using this only for cattle and a backup "prepper type" supply (not connect to the house). I have had a water well source previously, so I know some of the "in's and out's".

POWER: I *could* run A/C power from an existing meter loop to the well, it's about 150' away so ($$) trench, wire, conduit (must have, gophers). There is other power nearby if I added a pole and meter loop. But, I am NOT going this route ! Aside from the cost of this hook-up, the power Co. charges about 20-30/ Month just to have another meter. I already have (2) and this really rubs me wrong to pay almost $30 even if you do not use electricity.

I am considering solar, but do not know what all this entails. Anyone have experience with Solar water production ?
May not get this project off the ground due to costs and "what I want to end up with". For me, its a MUST that there has to be a slab, a building (which I would mount solar panels on) and a storage tank inside. My previous well had a building to protect my control box / softener (don't need now) and protect everything against the weather.

One of my concerns about Solar would be during winters. My last well used A/C, so was able to keep heat in the building at night. But, with solar, I really don't want to include battery storage for this purpose ($$).
Also, I could just take a flashlight to see around inside, but would be nice to have a light.

So, right now, I am in the thought / planning process only for the solar option. Do not want any big regrets. Any advice here ? I should mention also, I looked into the deep well hand pumps.... although would be cheaper... not wanting to go that route.

 

[34Willys]

Check out RPS solar. They specialise in off grid cattle ranches replacing windmills. We installed the RPS 400 pump turn key kit which included everything including the poly pipe a year ago. We had to supply the mount pole and ground wire. It has performed flawless and even pumps water on light overcast days. At full sun our well produces 18 gpm. It is upgradable to double the power available by adding 4 more panels.
Patrick
RPS 400 Solar Well Pump Kit

 

[ponytug]

I don't quite understand the purpose of the fracking well. Was it just as a source of local water, I.e. not an injection well? Before you get too far into this, you might want to have the water analyzed, both for trace metals, and for organics(hydrocarbons), plus I would highly recommend testing for organic fluorine compounds to make sure nobody put PFAS type chemicals down the well for any reason.

If you want to go the solar route, I would suggest getting a solar submersible well pump like @34Willys. They are designed to operate on variable amounts of sunlight for maximum efficiency. I would buy quality solar panels for durability. If it turns out that you don't get enough sun in the winter time, you can add more panels. If it were me, I would have the well pump feed a storage tank for a week or so of usage, so a week of bad weather wouldn't be an issue. I think that it is much lower maintenance to store water than to store power.

All the best,

Peter

 

[sailonner]

Like a few million other properties, mine has a 230VAC well pump. The NorCal power utility, PG&E, has gone down several times a year for as long as two weeks at a time. Have to run a 5.5KW gen (on propane) to get household water pressure. A real Hassle! I have been putting together a whole-house battery back-up solar system, but haven't finished it yet. So far, for about $12K, I will have 4.2KW solar panel array, and two inverters, making 230VAC. That will provide whole house power, including the well. I looked into using a 48VDC Solar well pump. They make solar pump controllers that don't need battery back-up. There are limits to depth and flow rate at a given pressure at the top of the line when filling a tank, or at household pressure. I now have two 24VDC submersibles that are supposed to pump up to about 75 feet of head at a minimal flow rate. Use one in the pond for irrigation on the veggie field, about 5 feet of head height. This install is 2 -235W solar panels and two group 31 AGM batteries, in case there are too many days with cloud cover. I'd say it's adequate for a small veggie field, say 1/8 acre, using drip tape for a time, and sprinklers on different timers to keep the coverage pattern up. I don't think it would adequately irrigate 1/4 acre in high summer heat.

 

[PILOON]

150 ft to provide AC power is your least costly route in my opinion.
If U don't wish to bury deep U can always run the AC inside of cheap PVC piping for protection.