i want to harvest rain water at my cabin

Started by nathan.principe, October 07, 2013, 09:00:15 PM

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nathan.principe

I don't really have a solid plan but I think I would like to use a series of 55gal barrels tied together. 
I want to use a pump to supply the water to the plumbing Ive already installed, which will include 2 sinks, a toilet, and a shower ( of coarse these would not be used in unison).  My questions and general lack of knowledge all pertain to the pump,  Ive done some research but still am fuzzy.  Is there a pump that will turn on and off as fixtures are in use and not? what type of pump would that be?  Im pretty sure there are pumps that know to turn off when theres no water and when fixtures a closed, but what triggers it to come back on when a fixture is open?  I also would not be sure of the size in terms of gph I would need?  The good thing is that the pump and barrels will be placed on the opposing side of the wall from the fixtures and none are up stairs.  has anyone ever done this or have input?

MountainDon

An RV water pump such as those made by Shurflo and Flojet. They have a pressure switch. The pumps operates and builds up pressure. When the limit is reached, most are around 40 psi, the pump shuts off. Open a faucet, flush the toilet, the pressure drops and the pump turns back on. Close and the pressure builds and the oump goes off.

The pump will run when the supply barrel is empty... and run and run and run....  That would require another switch on a float.

Those pumps do not lift very high and their performance drops when asked to lift.  Google and look at the specs. As for how many gpm, the smaller pumps are good for one plumbing use at a time. Some pumps have greater capacity.
Just because something has been done and has not failed, doesn't mean it is good design.


nathan.principe

by lift do you mean when they say "it primes up to 7' "? or is that different?  just trying to get my terminology strait, thx!

MountainDon

That is pretty much a Yes.  Place the pump at the level of the bottom of the pump and performance will be much better than if the pump is located above the tank water level at maximum prime level. That can make a big difference in volume delivered.

Personally I think their performance sucks when the pump is even just on top of the water tank instead of at the level of the bottom. Maybe I'm more particular than some others.  ???

Just because something has been done and has not failed, doesn't mean it is good design.

Squirl

I think don has the better solution, but I have seen it done a few ways depending on how sophisticated you want your cabin.  Some people use a bilge pump to pump the water to a tank in the attic or second floor then let gravity do the work from there.  You don't get a lot of pressure and you have to manually fill the tank, but it is a simple and cheap setup.  By the general thread, I am assuming the cabin is off grid? If not a shallow well pump has the pump, pressure tank, and pressure switch all put together.