|
| Author |
Message |
JJHess
Member
|
# Posted: 3 Nov 2014 09:36pm - Edited by: JJHess
Reply
I installed my ram pump this past weekend at the cabin. I set it up with a 22' inlet pipe (1 1/4") dropping 54" to the pump and it's pushing 390' through a 3/4" pipe, lifting about 15' over that distance. Next time I'm up I will replace the 12' of PVC drive pipe with 42' of 1 1/2" steel which will lower the pump another 2'. I'll extend the outlet pipe another 130' to get it to the cabin and the total lift will only be about 9' over 520' of run. Right now it's filling a 5 gallon bucket in 11 minutes.
In the spring I'll replace the current pump (all PVC 1 1/4" drive & 3/4" outlet) with an all steel 1 1/2" drive & 1" outlet version. The pump will fill a 200 gallon water tote that I'll store under the cabin.
All this being said, I need to select a pump to get the water from the tote into the cabin. It'll feed a shower, toilet, vanity sink and kitchen sink. I'd like something that can handle the shower being used and the kitchen sink being turned on.
I've looked at the ShurFlo and FloJet on demand 120v since we'll have electric service at the cabin. Info on the web is scattered and very opinionated so I'm having a hard time figuring out what actually works. What have you guys/gals in similar situations used?
I'm also considering a water tower and gravity feeding the cabin, but we'd like to use a LP on demand water heater and I'm not sure if we'll get the necessary flow to activate the heater. Any input on this option would also be appreciated.
|
|
bldginsp
Member
|
# Posted: 3 Nov 2014 09:53pm
Reply
If you have an elec service you can instal a standard pressure tank with a small pump. Probably cost more but would provide excellent pressure, and the components and help with installation would be readily available since its the common solution for properties with wells.
On demand water heaters don't need a lot of flow to get them going, but you are right to be cautious cause they need enough. Guess whether ou use a tank is a function of how far up the hill you want to locate the tank.
Interesting that your ram pump is providing so little rise- I guess that's all you need. Just wondering if it, or a larger version, could fill a tank far enough up the hill to provide enough pressure for the water heater.
|
|
Steve_S
Member
|
# Posted: 3 Nov 2014 10:01pm
Reply
Both brands you mention have excellent reps. I know that ShurFlo has a lot of 12/24 volt pumps and may be worth looking into.
I have an Eccotemp FVI12-LP Tankless Water Heater which requires 40 psi.
|
|
JJHess
Member
|
# Posted: 3 Nov 2014 10:04pm
Reply
I'm trying to stay away from a pressure tank setup because the cabin will not be heated when not in use and we are installing the plumbing in such a manner that all lines can easily be drained after each use. We are in northern PA and this past weekend we had some freezing temps so we want it to be easily 'winterizable' from early October through early May.
There will also be some less-than-handy family members using the cabin so we want to keep things as easy to maintain as possible.
As to the ram pump performance, I'm sure it could pump further up hill than it currently is. This first version was just to see if it would pump over the distance and what kind of volume it would produce.
I could probably set the water tank about 20' up hill from the cabin and gravity feed from there. When I'm back up there in 2 weeks I'm going to shoot some elevations and see where the best placement of the tank will be.
|
|
bldginsp
Member
|
# Posted: 3 Nov 2014 10:24pm
Reply
You get .433 lbs pressure per foot of elevation, so 20 feet will only get you 8 lbs. enough for flow but not the Eccotemp.
I saw charts somewhere on the web regarding capacities of different ram pumps. So someone sat there with a slide rule and figured out what you got to do to get a given elevation rise.
You are wise to set up to winterized easily. Problem with a tank is you need to bury the pipe below frost line, and protect the pipes at the tank before they go into the earth.
Maybe your present setup is adequate with a shurflow
|
|
Steve_S
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Nov 2014 06:57am
Reply
@JJHess. maybe something like this, even if you have a reservoir SHURflo 4008-101-E65 3.0 Revolution Water Pump
Aren't you worried about your reservoir freezing up ?
At least with a 12V system, one smaller AGM Battery (RV/Marine) & a single Solar Charger would run it ... although you'd have to work out the Ah pending on model... No need for High GPM flow, 3 GPM is more than enough for a comfortable shower.
|
|
JJHess
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Nov 2014 04:48pm
Reply
Steve
That is my concern with using a tower setup, is the freezing. My thought was to let the tower drain when the cabin isn't being used in the cold months and then refill it when someone was there and use heat tape on the line to the cabin to keep it from freezing up.
Might just have to forget the running water when temps are too cold and just let the ram pump fill 5 gallon buckets like we do now.
|
|
|
