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grover
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2021 08:23
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I haven't been active on here for a while but I have a question. My pump maker advised me not to lay the pump horizontal in cistern. Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to design a flow sleeve to set vertically. I have some ideas but I wondered if any of you have done that.
Also, my pump is 3.75 inches in diameter. Is a 4 inch PVC pipe really enough clearance to get proper flow to the intake of the pump?
Thanks
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2021 12:10
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Drill some holes in the 4in pipe if your worried about the flow. It's really just un there to keep the pump in one spot correct? The only downside to sitting the pump on its side I can think of is it can suck up junk on the bottom of the tank.
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Upper
Member
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2021 13:19
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I believe it is there to cool the motor by water flow.
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grover
Member
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2021 15:55
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Yes, the sleeve is there to help cool the motor. If it's in a well it has the well casing causing the water drawn in to go past the pump and cool it. If it is in a body of water with out the flow sleeve then has no circulation around the motor to cool it.
Not sure how big a well casing is. There may be multiple sizes depending on the flow/pump requirements. I know the videos/articles I have seen using the pumps in cisterns show the pumps going in 4 inch pvc. That's not a lot of clearance around the sides of the pump.
If I stand it up resting on the bottom and leave, say a foot at the bottom of the sleeve before the pump begins then drill holes around the sides of the pvc it should work. Holes high enough so it doesn't suck from near the bottom of the tank. The PVC would be sealed at the bottom end of course.
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grover
Member
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2021 15:59
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The other issue is sealing the top end of the pump and the flow sleeve. If the water gets too low then you don't want the pump top sucking air in the top end.
That brings up the problem of a low water indicator of some sort that shuts the pump off in low water situations.
So many issues to work around.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2021 16:58
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A float switch can be used for low level cut off.
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txDave
Member
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2021 09:23
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I’ve been using this pump in a rain water cistern with no problems. Pricey, but has the intake, check valve, pressure switch,and low water level shut off incorporated . https://www.rainharvest.com/grundfos-sba-3-45-a-automatic-pump.asp
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rpe
Member
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2021 10:43
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Could you fabri-cobble up something like what's used for submersible pump lake installations?
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grover
Member
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2021 13:09
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I already have my pump so I'm trying adapt what I have.
That looks good rpe but I need to put my pump vertically according to the manufacturer. Horizontal installation would make it much easier. I thought of something similar with the intake turned upward on both ends of the leg base.
I'm still worried about the diameter of the sleeve. I can't see how a 3.75 inch pump in a 4 inch sleeve will get much flow to the intake.
I'm thinking maybe a 6 inch sleeve??
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2021 13:33
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Gesus $600 for that fancy pump is very pricy. For this type of system I wouldn't even use a name brand pump. Chinese I'm sure work fine and the thing cant be that hard to pull.
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Irrigation Guy
Member
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2021 10:43
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I saw your post on terry love site. This is a thread I started a couple years ago that covered this topic https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/submersible-pump-in-cistern.71530/
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grover
Member
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# Posted: 4 Oct 2021 06:47
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Irrigation guy—I found and read your post in my research. I have something put together that I think will work.
Now I have a new worry. Will my pipes inside the cistern freeze when the temps fall into the single digits which is usually what our coldest winters bring. If I use a quick connect union near the manhole will that fall below freezing or will the ground temperatures keep the inside warm enough? Cistern is buried but top is at ground level.
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grover
Member
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# Posted: 4 Oct 2021 06:50
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Should I try to use a pitiless adapter instead which I could put lower in the cistern? Not sure how well they work in cisterns.
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