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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 28 Oct 2014 14:39 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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http://www.solarpumps.com/multipanelkitspage.html
Just ordered a solar "livestock" well system. The K170SR2. Basically, no batteries, just flip switch during daytime, overcast OK, then water will flow at about 2-3 gallons a minute. I will now have access to water. No more getting it from neighbors. I will install it in April 2015. 
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 28 Oct 2014 14:45
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Looks good Toyota. How much vertical distance are you pumping?
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 28 Oct 2014 21:06 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Just up the well shaft itself. Depth is 178 feet, not really sure what the static level is, I know it recovers at a rate of 15GPM. I will have the spigot (no valve, just opened) just past the well head itself. I am setting it up just like they had on their video (livestock well)
I can either fill 55 gallon drums, transfer it to my water tower. I am even thinking of adding a water drum on the roof of my shower stall. Paint it black, absorb the afternoon sun, warm shower, gravity flow. Think of it as a HD solar shower. 
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sparky1
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# Posted: 29 Oct 2014 13:26
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I bought my Pump from Northern tool.about $680. Big 4D battery Tractor supply 139.oo plus core , 100 ft 1/2" black pipe 25.oo 2 fittings $8.oo a switch $24.oo there was enough wire.2 flat block $3.oo & some Styrofoam under battery,inside my pump house---95 PSI water. so happy, a 20 watt Panel to keep the battery charged, probably a 50 watt panel later. pump sitting in 50 ft water & 70 ft up to surface spigot.
working great.
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LastOutlaw
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# Posted: 29 Oct 2014 23:44
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I envy you well owners.
I'm on rainwater collection and haul in water.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:39
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lastoutlaw, after buying my property in 2005, the well was the first thing I did, did thta in 2006. Not sure why? Its just sat idle since then. This will be the first time I have drawn water from it (2015), so its been in place for 9 years. Solar gear shows up Monday, I will be gathering all other related gear and plan on an April install. I will take photos, even a small movie of it flowing water. I may have to fence around it to protect it from free ranging cattle. My cabins 20+ acres is fully fenced off, but if they get in from a broken fence (windfall tree etc) the cattle rub on things and could damage it. Maybe a 6 foot chain link enclosure with a gate.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 30 Oct 2014 15:01
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Sounds good Toyota, will look forward to seeing your setup.
I will be drilling a well in about a week, it looks like. Or rather the well driller will be doing it, he says he'll get his drill rig up to my property soon.
So I've been going back and forth about what sort of pump setup to get. I can't make any final decisions until I know how deep the water is, but here's what I've been thinking so far, if anyone has input please hold forth:
In all likelihood the water will be a good 250-300 ft. below surface, plus elevation to water tank makes 300-350 ft of vertical rise I'll have to pump.
I looked into solar powered pumps, but the total cost of the system was a lot more than a standard 240v AC pump run off my existing generator. And since I think there's a good chance I will be able to bring the utility up the hill for electrical service, I want to install a pump now that I can operate off that. There are pumps that work off both DC at varying voltages AND AC 240, which is amazing, but they cost $2,000.
So I've been looking at traditional deep well submersible pumps such as those made by Goulds, Grundfos, Myers and others. There are a lot of less expensive pumps on the market but I want the best for longevity. I've read that lower pump rate pumps (5-7 gallons/minute) tend to last longer because they are working less hard than a 10-15 gallon/minute pump. I want to maximize gallons of water per gallons of gas used to generate the watts required. But a lower rate pump using less wattage should, I hope, use less gasoline at the generator but I'm still unclear about that. But longevity of the pump is more important than maximum gas efficiency.
I can use a lower rate pump since I won't have a pressure tank, I'm pumping to a 2500 gallon storage tank up the hill and then gravity feed to the cabin.
Leaning toward a Goulds stainless steel 5 or 7 gallon per minute pump, 3/4 or 1 horsepower depending on final depth of static water. Any experienced well users have any comments on Goulds?
I'm going to get a three wire pump and have a controller box/capacitor located up topside. Could have 300 ft of wire in the well itself and another 150 ft of wire up top to get to the controller and generator. That's a lot of wire. Anyone know of charts for well pump wire sizing? Saw some somewhere, I suppose its no different from any other wire calc.
Comments, suggestions?
Hope I didn't hijack your thread toyota
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LastOutlaw
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# Posted: 30 Oct 2014 20:24 - Edited by: LastOutlaw
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Toyota, I had a well put in on my property in Ga. in 2000. It cost me about $4000 and they went down 400 ft.
My cabin property now is an hour off grid and always will be. I'm interested in your solar setup. I look forward to seeing your well in operation and hearing how well it works.
We got estimates of about $18 per foot if they find water and $14 a foot if they don't. It's the "don't" that scares me.
I want a well. I'm going to live there full time at some point in the somewhat near future.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 30 Oct 2014 21:12
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Last Outlaw, mine was $8000 for the 178 foot deep hole. Your well was cheap! Mine was at a spendy time, almost peak steel prices. Mine came closer to $44 per foot total. I called all drillers in the area, they must price fix! Exactly the same price per foot, down to the penny.
Bldg Insp, the depth will cost ya! In everything. I suspect you will be looking at 1 HP maybe a bit bigger, 1" line from pump. I have a brand new Flo Tec, 220VAC 3 wire, with control box (capacitor) that I bought and it pumps at 10 GPM, my well produces 15, so I knew it wouldn't run out of water that way. It was pricey, I want to say $400 or so. But its still in my garage, new in the box and wont be used unless I move there year round (retire from work) and hook up to grid.
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