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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Well Pump recommendations
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zorro
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 09:32 - Edited by: zorro
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Just had my new well dug – a bit deeper than initial expectations!

So the well info is;

· Depth – 410’
· Flow – 100GPM
· Static Level – 20’

Seasonal Cabin – 1 shower, toilet, 2 x faucets (2 bedrooms and sleeps 4 from time to time)

Power will come from;

1040W panels
8 Trojans
1500w inverter

But well pump will likely be powered by the 7500W running/9500W peak generator

Can anyone recommend a pump for this set up;

· HP?
· Make?
· Depth it should be dropped to?

Just trying to get an idea before I contact a local company

I was looking at this

Goulds 10HS05422C 4" Submersible Water Well Pump, 1/2HP, 230V, 2 Wire, 10 GPM……………but honestly not sure on what I need


Thanks

Paul

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 10:51
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My well is 260' deep. I use a Grundfos SQ-5 Soft Start 120Volt unit (6" well casing) . PSI is set to 45. 50 Gallon pressure tank ion pump house and then another 75' to cabin. Never notice the pressure drop at all and that's with running through 2 progressive sediment filters. Power is nice as it is soft start (no hit on inverter) as it starts at 500W and works up in 3 stages to 1000 W when at max pressure and it is FAST !

REF: https://us.grundfos.com/products/find-product/sq.html

I've had many pumps over the decades and I cannot & will not rely on something dubious, Grundfos might cost a but more but that piece of mind is worth it. Water = Life !

BTW: When 1st installed, we tested it with a measly cheapo little 12V/1000W mod sine car inverter and it ran just fine, but I would not do that regularly (mod sine = very bad for pumps).

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 13:11
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20ft static and you went to 410'. Why? And why did you need 100gpm with just a small cottage?

You dont need to pump from 400ft deep.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 13:11
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Grundfoss makes the most reliable pumps. Lots of them used around me. I still use them for a couple of remote livestock wells. As well (pun ) I use their pumps in the rainwater transfer and pressure systems for the home and shop. The soft start, no surge at startup makes it easier on the inverters plus permits the use of smaller inverters.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 14:01
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Brettny - good questions

Issue was there was zero water till they actually hit 410’ - nothing at all (even though the plot near me hit water at 67’

So this really depressed me as the cost is crazy

But nothing till that depth



And the flow rate Of 100GPM/20’ static literally happened as soon as he hit 410’

In the drillers words- I could now provide water to the local Town!!!!

At least that is what they tell me.........

So what depth would I need to drop the pump to?

And I will loom at the Grundfoss pumps

Sprinkler Guy
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 14:01
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Quoting: Brettny
20ft static and you went to 410'. Why? And why did you need 100gpm with just a small cottage?

You dont need to pump from 400ft deep.


He should ask his driller. He didn’t drill to 400’ for no reason. A well can have a high static but draw down very quickly. My well has a 4’ static level but draws down to 100’ in no time. Don’t guess at this you could be having to buy a new pump and or lowering your pump. There is no reason your driller wouldn’t tell you what depth to set your pump, at 400’ you likely paid him quite a bit.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 14:13
Reply 


Great points

No way can I put the pump at 20’

I have gone back to ask them what the draw down is

Think I would be more comfortable dropping the pump to about 150’ or more to try to ensure constant supply

Just
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 17:22 - Edited by: Just
Reply 


If the well makes 100 gallons a minute and the pump pumps ten gallons in a minute it will never run out of water . Set a shallow well small pump at 30 ft. You will never runout and have lots of water in your cabin .

ICC
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 18:17
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If the well really makes 100 GPM that is wonderful. If it keeps making that it is even better.''

I always like to figure out how much water is in the bore, just so I know. A 4 inch casing holds about 65 gallons (US) per 100 feet. I never had a well with such great recovery so I usually ended up placing the pump quite deep. We have one 585 foot deep well with static at 150 feet and the pump at 550. The recovery rate was only 4 GPM. So if you go fairly shallow with the oump now and the rate slows you may have to drop the pump at a later date.

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 18:20
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I would consider dropping the pump to 300-325 feet for a couple of reasons.
1) The bottom will take in sediments quickly at first & over time and a fresh well will have a lot, more if it was cable drilled versus bore drilled. Cable drilling fractures the rock more resulting in better flow but more sediment. I cable drilled and geez was nasty at first !

2) It's November and usually water tables are stable at this time of year (depends where you are of course) but one has to consider when water tables are low, or if the area has drought potentials. Too high and you could go dry. Your well guy likely knows all this and would be best to consult.

I also highly recommend installing a good "whole house" sediment filter before your pressure tank. Always best to keep the gunk out of the plumbing, your water heater will appreciate it. I use filters from RainFresh which are very cost effective and good. They have a whole series of filtering systems, including reverse osmosis.
Check them out here, they may be available in your area. http://rainfresh.ca/residential-water-filters-canada

Hope it helps,
Steve

Sprinkler Guy
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 19:56 - Edited by: Sprinkler Guy
Reply 


Quoting: Just
If the well makes 100 gallons a minute and the pump pumps ten gallons in a minute it will never run out of water . Set a shallow well small pump at 30 ft. You will never runout and have lots of water in your cabin .


It may not make 100 gpm at 30’ though. If it is a rock bore water can enter the bore anywhere below the casing. It might make 100 gpm from 400’ to 300’ but make 2 gpm from 300’ to 20’. A 300’ roll of 160 psi poly is $150 and wire is $1.00 a foot, cheap insurance if you ask me.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 20:25
Reply 


Thanks for all the info guys

My preference to to err on the side of caution and go fairly deep - say 200+ feet

That way if it does dry up a bit come summer, I should have a bit of flexibility

I would be terrified putting it at 30 or 40 feet as that would only take a slight drop on the level and then I would be in trouble

I will See what my pump fitter says tomorrow and let you know

I will also look at the filter option as well - had planned to put them on the 2 faucets at least

Thanks again for the info

Sprinkler Guy
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2019 20:31
Reply 


You might consider a flow inducer sleeve to insure the pump stays cool. If you have a 6” casing and the possibility of a top feeding situation it’s a cheap and easy thing to install.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 1 Nov 2019 09:08
Reply 


No way would i drop a pump to 200ft if the static water level is 20' why dont you figure out at what depth the well produces say 10gpm and set your pump there.

Your running this off a generator so any head pressure you can take away will help.


The well in my home is set at 50' and from 1930. Im also near the top of a hill and durring wet times of year the water will flow out the top of the well casing. I can pull the pump my self and drop a new pump in in about 2hrs total. Only had to do it once. But a pump at 200ft your prob not going to pull by hand.

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