"On demand" water pumps

[Lowdown3]

Not all pumps sold as "on demand" pumps truly are.

Northern Tool evidently looks at that term to mean "pulling the trigger on a sprayer will UP the pressure from the pump." My words, not their's.

Called and asked if a certain 12 volt pump they sold was a true "on demand" i.e, it would not switch on/use power when it sensed a pressure drop in the water line further up.

I was told yes.

To me that meant that the pump would be silent and not pull power/turn on till a pressure drop triggered the pump.

Swapping out a pump yesterday with the Northern "on demand" pump I found that the pump cycles CONSTANTLY (pulling power constantly) but cycles HIGHER when the pressure drops.

Why is this not good for a survivalist?

Cause the pump will use power CONSTANTLY versus just pulling intermittently as needed when water pressure drops. Also it means it will MAKE NOISE CONSTANTLY. It's not a huge amount of noise, but it is NOISE irregardless.

Bought a couple of possible replacement pumps from an RV site.

Coupled with a 100 watt panel, small controller and (2) Trojan T105's this will help your water system by putting pressure into the system.

This is important so that you can live more normally in your own house. I.e, you pump your water to a storage tank (either by alternate power, hand pump or even hand filling the tank), then using the pressure pump in line to add pressure to the water.

Then you can use normal facets, etc. in the house versus bailing water in via buckets- which gets REALLY OLD.

[protus]

Good info....were looking at putting a water tank in at casa de protus and I'm contemplating how to not only have it auto fill but be able to switch to secondary power /pumps to maintain pressure for at least faucets etc.

[rockriver]

I just obtained a large tank... but haven't gotten time/money to get it plumbed in yet...
this will help...
if anyone has add'l info/details, please post..

[Lowdown3]

I just obtained a large tank... but haven't gotten time/money to get it plumbed in yet...
this will help...
if anyone has add'l info/details, please post..

Just remember that unless it's specifically rated for pressure, like a standard galvanized metal well pump tank- be careful with filling it.

A standard plastic water tank like say this one-

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/water-storage-tank-305-gal

Or something similar, isn't designed to be part of the normal water system. In other words, it will HOLD water but if your putting water under pressure into it and not stopping the input when it's filled, it WILL break at some point.

Some might remember the post I made with the pic of the little 35 gallon tank used as part of our rabbit watering system that split when the boy left the water on to it.

The other good thing to do for a regular fill then shut off with a plastic tank is to leave the big fill lid slightly unscrewed. Not off or open, just unscrewed enough so that as it overflows, it will flow out the top of the tank via the space you left.

Trust me, it sucks to see a $100. plastic tank split, you don't want to see it happen with a $500. tank. I'm petrified of that now LOL.

Also, using the galvanized water tanks as part of your system means that your water is constantly recirculating now. Versus the crude you find in plastic tanks wherein they are not cycled regularly.

Check out the water system upgrade thread I did not that long ago and you'll see what I mean.

[rockriver]

thanks...
one day i'll figure out how to get a picture to post..

[1Admin]

The Shurflo 8000 series Ag pump from Northern was the one that I was told on the phone was an "on demand" pump- that cycled constantly.

I purchased a Flojet Quad series "Quiet Quad" 12volt pump from Camping World- the RV place.

It is functioning great, only pulls now and then as pressure requires it. And puts only slightly less than normal water pressure into the house approximately 100 feet from where it's located near the solar well.