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Jacqueline
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 12:54pm
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Off grid newbie. 
Looking to purchase a 12V water pump to move water from collection barrel up to cabin storage totes. Approx 30ft lift and distance is approx 50ft from collection to storage.
Looking at shurflo pumps but a bit overwhelmed with options and am open to suggestions on pumps or what specs to consider.
Any advice is more than welcome! Thanks
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 01:06pm
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Hi Jac, welcome!
Why 12vdc? Do you have a generator? Since what it sounds like you are doing is transferring the water so the pump doesnt need to be ready to run all the time, you could run the gen and a 120vac pump as needed to fill the high tanks and maybe some other things too while the gen runs, like a bat-bank charger, microwave, toaster, elec coffee pot, etc. Short gen run times and easy livin'.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 01:33pm
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The 30ft lift is going to kill any GPM or pressure of a pump that's to small. Are you showering with this pump?
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 02:12pm
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Quoting: Jacqueline Approx 30ft lift
Let's clarify what you mean by that. Are you wanting to have a pump at the destination storage tote that draws the water up a 30 foot distance from the source? That will be quite difficult.
Can you place a pump at the source and push the water up to the higher point? That is easier.
A pump like this can be placed in the lower elevation source tank if you have power there. I have used similar. That is good for transfer, then a Shurflo RV pump can be used to supply pressurized water in the cabin.
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moneypitfeeder
Member
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 06:22pm
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We have a small 12vdc pump that we pull water from a stock watering tub to a barrel about 30-ish foot up a fairly sheer cliff to our cabin. I can get the info the next time we head up, but it will be a month or 2. It isn't submersible so we have to monitor it occasionally and make sure it doesn't go underwater.
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 07:47pm - Edited by: Nobadays
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Quoting: ICC Are you wanting to have a pump at the destination storage tote that draws the water up a 30 foot distance from the source? That will be quite difficult.
As ICC says "difficult," actually nearly impossible to "lift" water. Centrifugal pumps will only lift water ~25' at sea level and the Shurflo pumps are rated at a 9' lift. As ICC explained you will be able to "push" water up hill with more success. I would have to second gcrank1 that a 120vac pump and a small generator might be your best option to fill your storage tank or a little 1" gas pump, then a Shurflo pump for pressure water.
THIS is the Shurflo pump we use for cabin pressure water.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 15 May 2021 08:27pm - Edited by: paulz
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I have the same Shurflo Nobs linked. Also have a 50' garden hose T'ed off it. I can bring the hose up the hill 30' tomorrow and see what it does, if you want.
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Jacqueline
Member
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# Posted: 16 May 2021 10:20am
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Wow! Thanks everyone!
So yes we have a generator and would be pushing not lifting the water from the collection point to the storage totes. We can run power to the collection point fairly easily from the genny. We also have an Ecotemp L5 we wish to set up for heating water for showering. From everyone’s great adVice it seems to make sense to install a 120v or gas pump at the collection point and fill the totes. We are recreational weekenders/week at a time folks for now. â˜ºï¸ And for shower a 12v Shurflow that can hook up to our solar.
One thought...the Ecotemp water heater requires min 20psi to operate. Would the gravity feed from the totes that we are installing above where we are putting the shower (and Ecotemp) give us 20+PSI? Totes are going to be 15ft above and 40 ft away. If gravity feed was sufficient would there e need for a Shurflow?
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paulz
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# Posted: 16 May 2021 10:25am - Edited by: paulz
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My tank is 20' above my L5 and Shurflo. I use gravity for hand rinsing, refilling the toilet... but it won't trigger the L5 unless the pump is on.
BTW, the water will pass through the Shurflo under gravity, no need to plumb around it. I do have a T before the pump, outside, as it will fill a bucket faster under gravity than running through the pump.
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 16 May 2021 10:33am
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It takes 2.31' of elevation to produce 1 - PSI of water pressure... volume doesn't matter only elevation. So theoretically your 15' of elevation will only produce ~6.5 PSI.
What Paul said, pump for the shower.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 24 May 2022 10:30am - Edited by: paulz
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Just FYI for others contemplating DC pumps:
My off grid power is at the front of the cabin, the bathroom (and all plumbing) are at the other end, 30' away. I have 10awg wire going to the 12v pump, about 50'. I just measured the voltage with the pump running. At the battery bank, 13.3, at the pump 12.0. I grabbed some 6awg wire, and ran jumpered it to the pump, 13.1V at the pump. A bit better flow but not sure enough that I want to rewire, since at least I'm getting the rated 12V. Pump draws 4A. Online calculator says I should have 8awg minimum. For a real do-over I'd probably go AC since I run the inverter most of the time now anyway.
Anyway, point being to consider location for electrical when powering a DC pump.
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