Manual Well Hookup?

Back40

Well-known member
#1
I've got a well on my property... it's currently used for livestock only. But, in a critical situation, I could purify it manually and use it for drinking.

One small problem - if there was no power, then there's no water. Is there any type of rig that any of you are aware of that I could hook into the existing well and pump water out manually? Or even manufacture some type of manual pump to a spigot that the water would flow from and pump it through the system that way?

I am by no means a well water expert... just trying to think ahead on getting water out of this system with no power.
 

sarco2000

Beyond the Grid
#3
But you could also figure out if you could run the existing pump with a generator.

Is it 120V or 240V? How deep is it?

What makes you think you'd need to purify it?
 

sarco2000

Beyond the Grid
#4
Worst case, you could make a bucket out of PVC with a lightly sprung check valve on the bottom. Lower it down with a rope, let it fill, pull it up.

Or, slightly more complicated.

 

Back40

Well-known member
#5
Sarco, it's 240V, 280 feet deep. I'm tapped into one of the largest aquifers in the nation.

I have not had it tested, but I can smell the sulfur in it, so...
 

Back40

Well-known member
#6
I could hook up the generator, but I'm looking for something that doesn't require power of any kind. Generators run out of fuel, eventually...
 

sarco2000

Beyond the Grid
#13
The Simple Pump says it will do to 325'. Basically it's a hand pump, and you can hook up the motor where it replaces the hand crank.

Won't help you at 385'. But don't feel bad, I'm at 490'.

Branch, if you REALLY want to do it, you'll need to replace your pump with the Grundfos SQ Flex pump and it's controller box. The SQ Flex is a regular deep well submersible pump, but it can run on 240VAC like normal, OR DC via battery bank, OR DC via direct feed from solar panels.

They have different horsepower models and can handle even my well. I don't have one though. I have the SQ (not Flex), which can be run with a smaller generator but not DC.
 

The Branch Manager

Winter is coming. Forever.
#14
The Simple Pump says it will do to 325'. Basically it's a hand pump, and you can hook up the motor where it replaces the hand crank.

Won't help you at 385'. But don't feel bad, I'm at 490'.

Branch, if you REALLY want to do it, you'll need to replace your pump with the Grundfos SQ Flex pump and it's controller box. The SQ Flex is a regular deep well submersible pump, but it can run on 240VAC like normal, OR DC via battery bank, OR DC via direct feed from solar panels.

They have different horsepower models and can handle even my well. I don't have one though. I have the SQ (not Flex), which can be run with a smaller generator but not DC.
Man where were you last year when I was looking. And its on sale for 800 OFF. Going to call tomorrow! THANK YOU (hopefully)
 

sarco2000

Beyond the Grid
#15
Man where were you last year when I was looking. And its on sale for 800 OFF. Going to call tomorrow! THANK YOU (hopefully)
Make sure you get the SQFLEX, not the regular SQ! Also, it would help if you could get a complete quote on the whole shebang. Pump, controller, solar panels and batteries. I got a quote a few years ago for about $4200, without the batteries.

https://www.grundfos.com/products/find-product/sqflex.html

If you power it with the solar panels alone it won't help much UNLESS it's to feed a livestock tank or other holding tank. But that won't work well with a typical house with a pressure tank.

Here is what my quote was, if it helps:

quote.PNG
 

The Branch Manager

Winter is coming. Forever.
#16
Make sure you get the SQFLEX, not the regular SQ! Also, it would help if you could get a complete quote on the whole shebang. Pump, controller, solar panels and batteries. I got a quote a few years ago for about $4200, without the batteries.

https://www.grundfos.com/products/find-product/sqflex.html

If you power it with the solar panels alone it won't help much UNLESS it's to feed a livestock tank or other holding tank. But that won't work well with a typical house with a pressure tank.

Here is what my quote was, if it helps:

View attachment 817
I have a budget of 5000 fiat amero sheckles for this project. I "should" be able to get close. Might have to cut back on ammo next month though.

ETA-

@Sacajawea weren't you having a hard time with your depth also? I thought you were in in the other thread at the other place.
 
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The Branch Manager

Winter is coming. Forever.
#18
because wind isn't as reliable as el sol in my AO. I service one local windmill for a customer biannually. Pretty sure I've got the market cornered. And I think a hurricane would destroy any windmill I could afford.