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Water
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Independent Water Systems | | These pumps are primarily used to pressurize a household water system from a nearby cistern but can also be used in wells with a static water level of around 20 feet or less. Unlike submersible pumps, piston pumps are usually located in an outbuilding. They suction water up from 20 feet or less below and can pump quite a distance uphill, but are often used to pressure a household diaphragm tank in the house. Piston pumps can be obtained in 12, 24, or 48 volts DC with some models also being available in 120 volts AC. They are probably the most energy efficient way to move water from the cistern to your home with pressure. 120 volts AC submersible pumps are another option for doing that but are probably not as energy efficient. If the cistern is located within a couple hundred feet of your house, using one of the DC models would be preferable as there is less power serge requirement when the pump starts up, the power would come directly from the battery bank which eliminates losing power through the inefficiency of an inverter, and because it will free up your inverter to handle other items that might need electricity. But if the pump will be some distance away, a 120 volts AC model might be best because 120 volts AC is able to run on a much smaller (and thereby economical) electrical wire. Another option with one of these pumps is to connect it directly to an array of solar panels for operation during sunny days. Certain models can be obtained which can be operated this way. We recommend Dankoff piston pumps as they have an excellent reputation for longevity. |
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