Portable Water Pump...?

ishoot308 · 08-25-2010, 08:06 AM

I am looking for a portable water pump to use at my camp in the winter months and want to keep it completely separate from the existing house system and am hoping someone here can help. Here are the specs I am looking for..

#1. Must be able to drop down a hole cut in the ice. (8"-10" wide) Portabilty is a must.

#2. Must have standard garden hose type comnections. (I have heated hose so freezing will not be an issue)

#3. Must be able to deliver at least 25 psi and have shut off valve / switch when pressure is attained. I plan on running approximately 100' of heated hose up a slight incline to an outdoor shower unit.

If anyone has any specific brand, type, model #'s they can recommend, it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Dan

Irrigation Guy · 08-25-2010, 08:22 AM

Dan,

A "little geyser" type submersible pump would probably work for you in this application. They have garden hose type connections but do not have a pressure switch which in this application I don't think you would need.

If you wanted to leave it on for a period of time, longer than a shower or upwards of an hour or more, I could see wanting a pressure switch though, which you could hood up with a tank tee and wrap with heat tape.

Best bet call Terry at Lakes Region Pump and Irrigation(603-455-2419)(disclaimer: I work with him on occation), he'll give you all your options.

fatlazyless · 08-25-2010, 06:20 PM

For about sixty five dollars, Lowes Home Improvement has a Chinese made, 1/6 hp utility pump that is probably made out of cast iron before being black plastic coated and it is very reliable, long lasting, and self priming when lowered through about a 5" diameter hole in the ice and into the water. It gets attached to a garden house and an extension cord. Just plug it in, and it starts right up. Attach the hose to an outside garden hose faucet and it should send lake water to power up your winter water-weekend use.

50 psi of water pressure is a good rule of thumb for cottage use so just let the pump run for five to ten minutes until the pressure guage on your shallow well gets up to 25-50 lbs and then pull the electric plug on the pump. Every cottage system is a little different but it should be pretty simple to use it.

RLW · 08-25-2010, 06:47 PM

Any utility pump that I have seen one can stop the water flow with just using your thumb. I do not believe one will put out any where enough pressure that you need.

fatlazyless · 08-25-2010, 07:07 PM

Oh yes it will, because all it has to do is to either fill up a forty gallon, pressurized storage tank, or just to fill up the 1.6 gallon, or three gallon toilet tank. Many island cottages use a 1/2hp-110v pump with a 40-gallon tank pressurized at 50 psi, so a 1/6hp pump would be slower than a 1/2hp but okay for temporary winter weekend use. It will be pushing the water up from the bottom of the garden hose, as opposed to pulling it up from the top with suction.

ishoot308 · 08-25-2010, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I need the pressure in order to operate the portable hot water heater I have which requires a minimum of 20 psi to operate.

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Tankl.../dp/B000TXOJQ4

I completely want to bypass anything to do with the camp. Once the camp is winterized I don't want to touch the water lines, expansion tank, or septic. This is for an outdoor shower unit only. I have heated hoses and the water heater is made for outdoor winter use and is portable. I just need a pump to put down a cut hole in the ice and able to deliver at least 20 psi through 100' of hose in an approximate 15' incline.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks again!

Dan

Irrigation Guy · 08-25-2010, 08:25 PM

You could use a tank tee with a pressure switch and small expansion tank and power up an inexpensive submersible well pump. Terry can set this up for you for likely the same money as you'd pay buying at Lowes.

Then you could use heat tape to keep it all from freezing or blow it out when done showering(you could put an air fitting right on the tank tee drain).

Edit: or use the 12V pump from amazon and run from a marine deep cycle battery and use a battery tender to recharge it.

fatlazyless · 08-26-2010, 06:02 AM

The 1/6hp Lowe's pump should fit down through about a five or six inch diameter hole in the ice. If one alone does not build enough pressure without being used in partnership with a pressurized storage tank, then two 1/6hp pumps could be hooked up to a garden hose in series for twice the pressure.

Lowe's has an easy return policy so they can be returned if the pump don't cut it.

ApS · 08-26-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

"...Oh yes it will..."

Sorry, FLL, but I'm with RLW on this one.

I have that pump, and had to use several stages to get water up to my cottage. It may be possible to move the water using a 3/8"-diameter hose, but you're not gonna get 20-PSI at the shower.

BTW:
Has anyone actually used an outdoor shower—in winter—when it's windy???

Blue Thunder · 08-26-2010, 06:17 AM

http://www.flotecpump.com/pdf/Pg_38_2006.pdf

Mine is 1 1/2" reduced down to 1" garden hose on the discharge side. This may be more than you need for your application but if you want it to cycle up and shut off when it reaches pressure you will need a foot valve on the suction side. Otherwise it will bleed down after shutting off.

Blue Thunder

ishoot308 · 08-26-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

:

BTW:
Has anyone actually used an outdoor shower—in winter—when it's windy???

Actually I have! The one I have is four sided with a roof so your out of the wind. Once your in under the hot water it's really not bad. It's getting to and from that can be cold.

Luckily for me my shower will be less than 4' from my camp door.

I think it's time to give Terry a call!

Dan

SIKSUKR · 08-26-2010, 09:43 AM

This one is a 12 volt but something to look at.In the box that says special use pumps,click on the little submersable pumps link.

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/pumps.htm

MarkinNH · 08-26-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Actually I have! The one I have is four sided with a roof so your out of the wind. Once your in under the hot water it's really not bad. It's getting to and from that can be cold.

Luckily for me my shower will be less than 4' from my camp door.

I think it's time to give Terry a call!

Dan

Another name for you to call and inquire is Rick Haley owner of American Water Systems here in Moultonborough (603 253 9182) Mobile # 603 455 1293. I have worked with Rick on many an occasion and have always been Very satisfied. He can handle well pumps, water pumps, sewerage pumps, irrigation systems, water filtration systems.

ishoot308 · 08-26-2010, 06:25 PM

After doing a little research, I'm not sure what I want in a pump is possible without a pressure / expansion tank.

I think it may be best to call the pros you guy's recommended and find out what will work best. Maybe with an auxiliary system like what I want in the winter can be utilized in the summer as well to water the grass, plants and flower beds as well without going through the filter systems. Seems a waste to send UV / sediment / carbon filtered water for grass and shrubs anyway.

Thanks for all your replies!!

Dan

08-25-2010, 06:47 PM	#4
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Any utility pump that I have seen one can stop the water flow with just using your thumb. I do not believe one will put out any where enough pressure that you need. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

08-25-2010, 07:07 PM	#5
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	Oh yes it will, because all it has to do is to either fill up a forty gallon, pressurized storage tank, or just to fill up the 1.6 gallon, or three gallon toilet tank. Many island cottages use a 1/2hp-110v pump with a 40-gallon tank pressurized at 50 psi, so a 1/6hp pump would be slower than a 1/2hp but okay for temporary winter weekend use. It will be pushing the water up from the bottom of the garden hose, as opposed to pulling it up from the top with suction. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-26-2010, 06:02 AM	#8
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	The 1/6hp Lowe's pump should fit down through about a five or six inch diameter hole in the ice. If one alone does not build enough pressure without being used in partnership with a pressurized storage tank, then two 1/6hp pumps could be hooked up to a garden hose in series for twice the pressure. Lowe's has an easy return policy so they can be returned if the pump don't cut it. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-26-2010, 06:17 AM	#10
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 951 Thanks: 251 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	This is what I use... http://www.flotecpump.com/pdf/Pg_38_2006.pdf Mine is 1 1/2" reduced down to 1" garden hose on the discharge side. This may be more than you need for your application but if you want it to cycle up and shut off when it reaches pressure you will need a foot valve on the suction side. Otherwise it will bleed down after shutting off. Blue Thunder __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

08-26-2010, 09:43 AM	#12
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	This one is a 12 volt but something to look at.In the box that says special use pumps,click on the little submersable pumps link. http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/pumps.htm __________________ SIKSUKR

08-25-2010, 08:06 AM	#1
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,225 Thanks: 2,381 Thanked 5,273 Times in 2,049 Posts	Portable Water Pump...? I am looking for a portable water pump to use at my camp in the winter months and want to keep it completely separate from the existing house system and am hoping someone here can help. Here are the specs I am looking for.. #1. Must be able to drop down a hole cut in the ice. (8"-10" wide) Portabilty is a must. #2. Must have standard garden hose type comnections. (I have heated hose so freezing will not be an issue) #3. Must be able to deliver at least 25 psi and have shut off valve / switch when pressure is attained. I plan on running approximately 100' of heated hose up a slight incline to an outdoor shower unit. If anyone has any specific brand, type, model #'s they can recommend, it would be appreciated. Thanks! Dan

08-25-2010, 08:22 AM	#2
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	Dan, A "little geyser" type submersible pump would probably work for you in this application. They have garden hose type connections but do not have a pressure switch which in this application I don't think you would need. If you wanted to leave it on for a period of time, longer than a shower or upwards of an hour or more, I could see wanting a pressure switch though, which you could hood up with a tank tee and wrap with heat tape. Best bet call Terry at Lakes Region Pump and Irrigation(603-455-2419)(disclaimer: I work with him on occation), he'll give you all your options.

08-25-2010, 06:20 PM	#3
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	For about sixty five dollars, Lowes Home Improvement has a Chinese made, 1/6 hp utility pump that is probably made out of cast iron before being black plastic coated and it is very reliable, long lasting, and self priming when lowered through about a 5" diameter hole in the ice and into the water. It gets attached to a garden house and an extension cord. Just plug it in, and it starts right up. Attach the hose to an outside garden hose faucet and it should send lake water to power up your winter water-weekend use. 50 psi of water pressure is a good rule of thumb for cottage use so just let the pump run for five to ten minutes until the pressure guage on your shallow well gets up to 25-50 lbs and then pull the electric plug on the pump. Every cottage system is a little different but it should be pretty simple to use it. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-25-2010, 08:18 PM	#6
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,225 Thanks: 2,381 Thanked 5,273 Times in 2,049 Posts	Thanks for the replies! I need the pressure in order to operate the portable hot water heater I have which requires a minimum of 20 psi to operate. http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Tankl.../dp/B000TXOJQ4 I completely want to bypass anything to do with the camp. Once the camp is winterized I don't want to touch the water lines, expansion tank, or septic. This is for an outdoor shower unit only. I have heated hoses and the water heater is made for outdoor winter use and is portable. I just need a pump to put down a cut hole in the ice and able to deliver at least 20 psi through 100' of hose in an approximate 15' incline. Any help is appreciated! Thanks again! Dan

08-25-2010, 08:25 PM	#7
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	You could use a tank tee with a pressure switch and small expansion tank and power up an inexpensive submersible well pump. Terry can set this up for you for likely the same money as you'd pay buying at Lowes. Then you could use heat tape to keep it all from freezing or blow it out when done showering(you could put an air fitting right on the tank tee drain). Edit: or use the 12V pump from amazon and run from a marine deep cycle battery and use a battery tender to recharge it.

08-26-2010, 06:25 PM	#14
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,225 Thanks: 2,381 Thanked 5,273 Times in 2,049 Posts	Thanks! After doing a little research, I'm not sure what I want in a pump is possible without a pressure / expansion tank. I think it may be best to call the pros you guy's recommended and find out what will work best. Maybe with an auxiliary system like what I want in the winter can be utilized in the summer as well to water the grass, plants and flower beds as well without going through the filter systems. Seems a waste to send UV / sediment / carbon filtered water for grass and shrubs anyway. Thanks for all your replies!! Dan