Well pump options?

[bobkrack]

I live about 15 miles from town and have a well as my only source of water.

Power at the road, wires 150 feet overhead to a pole with a meter and disconnect (six circuits). 200 feet south underground to the house and 300 southwest underground to the well. House is about 200 feet to the well. The pump is 220 volt, 6.2 amps running - I have no idea how deep but I doubt it is over 100 or 200 feet deep.

I am trying to set up a backup generator (or sumpin) to assure water during power outages - fairly common around here - several times a year.

If I hook a generator to the house I got no power to the well. If I hook up to the disconnect I will be more than 200 feet to the generator.

My thoughts are along the line of a 12V DC pump in the well with the existing pump. Lower start limits and lower shut off limits to prevent the 12V from running UNLESS no grid.

Any suggestions?

Bob

 

[Phils]

I have a backup system similar to what you are proposing, except that I use a cistern tank (1000 gal) and pump from it with a 120V pump. It is backed up by a 12V pump, in case there's a power or pump problem. As you suggest, the cut-in and cut-out pressures are lower than the 120V pump so it only runs when the larger one won't.

As far as a submersible 12V pump, you may want to explore the forums here: Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Index where you'll find one of the categories is "Solar Water Pumping".

You didn't mention what you plan for the 12V supply but that should be the easy part.

The hard part is the torque or rotational force that your first pump has when it turns on and off. It tends to rotate in the well somewhat even assuming you have torque arrestors. Adding another pump alongside the first pipe can present some problems because of that action from both pumps... wires that bind or wear through being one problem. That's IF you can fit the second pump down the well casing.

If your water level isn't far from the surface a self-priming 12V pump may work but the suction depth is pretty limited.

To get a decent 12V submersible pump, plus overcome the problems mentioned above, might be more trouble and expense than buying another generator just for the well. You don't need quiet or efficient, just something for $500 from a big-box store.

Phil

 

[Jimbrown]

I have never seen a 12 v submersible pump. This one is 24V Shurflo 9300 Submersible Solar Water Pump

But these things ain't cheap. Grundfos also makes one that runs 30v to 300v DC and 90 to 220V AC Grundfos SQFlex Submersible Well Pumps

You could buy a generator for the same price.

These pumps are designed for solar use I guess you could convert the well to solar. Agin ain't cheap.

200ft is not that far I would try running the pump that way first.

 

[dmccarty]

Bob,

Why don't you have a generator hook up and grid disconnect at the power pole? That way you can use the power generation from that pole to feed the house and well?

Later,
Dan

 

[HomeBrew2]

Agree with Dan.

Also don't understand why energizing house panel with generator does not also energize disconnect panel which in turn energizes well motor.

 

[George2615]

If your well is 100' or more deep, a 12V pump isn't going to be able to pump water up that far. They are designed for use inside mobile homes and campers mostly pressurizing horizontal lines a short distance. If put in your well it won't pump vertically with that much head pressure.
What size generator did you try?
Is is a small 110V unit or 220V?
If 220V is it wired to feed both legs of your power service?
Even a smaller 5KW generator with 220V will run a well pump and probably most of the house if you turn off unneeded devices.

 

[bobkrack]

Bob,
Why don't you have a generator hook up and grid disconnect at the power pole? That way you can use the power generation from that pole to feed the house and well?
Later,
Dan

The pole has 4 breakers, 100 amp 220V to the house, 20 amps 220Vto the well, and two 20 amp circuits (duplex convenience weather proof 110V circuits).

An automatic transfer at the pole would be the most convenient but at the price, I think a seperate pump whether it be DC or AC would be the best for me.
I was thinking an off-grid DC system would be easiest and probably least expensive. I need zero power in the house as long as I have water and then not large quantities.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......UNLESS I was trying to fight a fire (and I DO live in a high fire risk area!) Mayhaps I should reconsider my goals....

Bob

 

[tommu56]

The ShurFlo 9300 is a DC submersible well pump designed to pump water from 0 to 225 feet. Requires 4" or larger well casing. Runs off of 12 to 30 volts, intended primarily for panel-direct operation with a controller in the 20-30 volts range. 4.1 amps max. For best performance, especially in low light conditions a pump controller, such as the 902-100 or 902-200 should be used. For potable water only.

to start you really need to find the depth of well.

Tommu56

 

[stumpfield]

The ShurFlo 9300 is a DC submersible well pump designed to pump water from 0 to 225 feet.
Tommu56

I almost bought this pump but later found out that I can't submerge the pump under water very deep even though I'm under the 225 ft spec. I end up with the Gundfos SQflex. More expensive but will last many times longer. You need to replace the diaphram on the ShurFlo 9300 every few years.