12 volt Water pump

[Shadow]

 Does anyone have any experience using a 12 volt DC water pump as a main pump for distributing water throughout a house? I was thinking along the lines of one like this,LINK

             I'm wondering if 60 lbs pressure would be too much? Or if thered be enough volume to run showers etc. Any info appreciated.

[Volvo farmer]

My neighbors have been using a pump like that for three years. I think a standard modern showerhead uses about 2.5 GPM so that pump is plenty big enough. I also think that standard water utilities are right at the 60 PSI mark so that number seems about right to me.

[Nando]

Expensive but long life, I think.

Pressure is OK, and normal in a large city area.

My house has a 55 to 80 PSI for the periods I have tested

What I suggest is a tank with a air reservoir for constant pressure and for less pump operation.

One way is to have a good size tank, like 50 gallons and a second of equal size connected for air pressure only.

5.7 gallon/ minute is a good delivery level

Nando

[Shadow]

Thanks, Actually we will have a reserve tank in the basement of 550 gal. This tank will be filled via small solar pump directly off a Solar panel. My thought was, when the 550 gal tank is full the Solar panel may as well be used to charge a Trojan 105 or similiar to run this 12 volt distribution pump.We havent decided on the small solar pump yet, it would have to move water through a 3/4 inch line about 85 feet with very little if any lift.

[GaryGary]

Hi,

The Earthships use this kind of pump in their water system design.  The brand they use is Shurflo.  The pump pumps water from a rainwater collection cistern into one of those well pressure tanks (the ones with an internal bladder).  

They emphasize mounting the pump such that it does not have to draw water up from the cistern very far, because the pumps tend ot loose their prime under these circumstances.  They use a 60 mesh filter in front of the pump to take out any junk in the cistern water.  The pump output goes through some more filters on the output side.

The pumps (as I recall) come on at 20 psi and turn off at 50 psi.

There is a picture of the Earthship water pumps/filters here:

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/Earthship/Visit/WaterSystem.htm

The picture toward the bottom shows the pump and all the filters mounted on one board.

There whole water handling system from roof catchment to compost is pretty amazing.

Gary

[scottsAI]

Hello Shadow,

$145 new for that pump is not bad.

You may find a similar pump on eBay for less, item 4642057981 for example.

Several manufactures make this type of pump.

I have a similar pump for back up to my 1/2hp 220vac pump.

Have not had to test it yet. Mine is 24v pump.

Best way to find the 12v pumps is look for RV pump. Or 12v pump water

If you try to buy a solar pump this become very expensive. Not sure why...

Just because it's for RV seems to make it more expensive, but less than solar.

Have fun,

Scott.