“Can I buy a lever-arm pump now and buy the motor later?”
Yes. You can buy the DC Motor Extension at any time and install it yourself. We have an entire page that discusses this subject.
“I want to install solar so I need the power requirements for the motor.”
For the Linear Bearing Link Drive at 100 foot static, pumping into an ambient tank….
12VDC
16 amps peak
25 amp fuse
10-11 amps average draw
24VDC
8 amps peak
15 amp fuse
5-6 amps average draw
For the Scotch Yoke drive at 100 foot static, pumping into an ambient tank….
12VDC
18 amps peak
25 amp fuse
11-12 amps average draw
24VDC
9 amps peak
15 amp fuse
6-7amps average draw
“If I pump the water down below the pump cylinder will I damage the pump?”
YES. Absolutely. When pumping air, after the seals disintegrate (which doesn’t take long when dry), the piston starts etching scratches into the precision-machined pump cylinder, quickly destroying it. If you think this is a possibility with your well, let us know when you ask for a quote.
“May I use solar power.”
Our DC Motor is ideally suited for use with solar power because it is designed to be a frugal power user. Provided the site is arranged so the solar panels have good year-round sun exposure, only one or two panels are required along with batteries and other components.
Benefits of using batteries rather than direct connection with linear current booster…
- Not limited to sunlight periods of the day for pump operation.
- Stored power in the batteries allows operation over multiple days when sunlight is less than ideal.
- Batteries handle the amperage draw spike better than the linear current booster.
Running the Simple Pump motor on AC
We recommend using batteries between the power source and the motor regardless of the source of electricity. If using AC, it is recommended you use your AC source to charge the batteries and using the batteries to drive the motor.
If you run power directly to the motor, the converter you use must have an output of no less than 20 amps @ 12VDC. This amperage, higher than you might have expected, is due to uncertainty over internal inefficiencies with the converter. The converter must be able to deal with the amperage draw spike from the motor during the work portion of the operating cycle. Batteries handle this draw spike with no problem.
Of course batteries also have the advantage of giving you reserve power when there is an outage.
Hand-operation and motor operation are easily and quickly interchangeable if you run out of power. This gives you even greater convenience and security for your water supply. The Simple Pump is actually unique in this regard.
“I have a windmill. Can I drive my pump with wind power?”
Yes, you can. However, there is a “but”. You can use any source of 12 volts DC to drive the Simple Pump motor. The most common method is to use batteries with solar charging the batteries. You could also use a windmill to drive a generator that charges the batteries.
If you are interested in using a windmill to physically power the Simple Pump, see here.