Answers

At what depth does a manual pump simply not work?

If a generator is required to operate the pump, diesel-powered ones requiring a fuel storage tank will hit legal/safety/code snags if you live too close to neighbors.

Where can I find some information on solar panels for electricity generation?

Thanks.

-- Wayne Schumacher (Schumacher@sou.edu), December 23, 1998.

Here's some basic info on manual water pumps form the Lehman's catalog (available at http://www.lehmans.com):

If water is less than 200 ft down: You need four basic components to raise water from these depths.

1. The "pump-head" is the part you see above ground and provides the pumping action. Ours work on any well (dug or drilled). Some can be used with windmills.

   Prices:

   "Good" $235 - depth 75 feet - can't be used w/windmill

   "Better" $349 - 225 feet - 450 feet with windmill

   "Best" $399 - 200 feet - can't be used with windmill

   "Best" $345 - 200 feet - 720 feet with windmill

2. The "cylinder' is the heart of the system. It contains the valves and leathers that provide the lift. Place in well below water level- Most work best with a foot valve. The cylinder you choose must to fit into your well casing.

   Prices: 12 different cylinder listed ranging in features and price from $135 to $295.

3. The "drop pipe" extends from the pump to the cylinder. We recommend galvanized steel or black plastic. (Steel is the traditional favorite, but plastic is cheaper, much lighter and will never rust.)

4. The "pump rod" runs from the pump to the cylinder inside the drop pipe. It provides the linkage that transfers the pumping action from pumphead to cylinder.

   Price: 5-foot sections: $13.95 per section. ("Special carbon content and galvanized to resist rust. Sections screw together.")

   All our deep well components are USA made to the highest standards. If water is more than 175 ft down: The water soon becomes too heavy to pump by hand for any length of time. For easiest.

   "If water is more than 175 ft down: The water soon becomes too heavy to pump by hand for any length of time. For eaiest pumping at this depth, use our "Better" Pump Head set to a 5" stroke with #442-8-1 cylinder. Or, use a windmill."

   Windmills are another alternative power source for water pumping systems. New windmills seem to be in about the $5,000 range, or the rough equivalent of a pretty good propane generator. Less versatile than a generator, but the energy source is free, and (when the wind's blowing) the reliability can't be beat. Might be some windmills still out there in the country too that could be refurbed...

   To find out more about windmills, just do a search on that word. Here's an example result: American Windmills http://www.windmills.net/

   Solar Pumps: Not recommended for heavy duty, industrial strength use, but will produce a steady flow of water when the sun's shining. One online source of info is Sierra Solar: http://www.sierrasolar.com

   Propane: When it come to generators, in general, propane might be the best bet. They seem to run in the $4,500 to $6,500 range. Propane is a great fuel because it keeps forever, and storage tanks of very large size can be purchased (and they're quiet). For example: A friend of mine who raises turkeys has several 9,000 and 12,000 gallon tanks on his farm (standard home size is approx. 600 gallons), and he just passed up a chance to buy some 30,000 gallon tanks. Used tank prices (here) are about 50 cents per gallon (9,000 gal tank = $4,500). 9,000 gallons would probably last an average homeowner at least 5 years. Propane can be used to run all common appliances: Stove, frig, water heater, lights, and just about anything with an engine (car, pickup). Don't have any URLs handy, but just do a search on "Residential propane" (weeds out indrustrial propane), and "propane generators." Lots of good info out of Canada.

-- Bill (windrow@mediaweb.gr), December 23, 1998.

Water purification

Build your own solar distiller information.

Good page - don't know anything about the product...

-- cynthia (cabeal@efn.org), December 23, 1998.

i have been a well driller since 1976. i have been getting a lot of calls in my area for hand pump info. i have been working on a system which uses the traditional elec pump and a hand pump at the same time. if done properly, it works fine. T4sd8@aol.com

-- russ (T4sd8@aol.com), December 23, 1998.

http://home1.gte.net/bowjonin/indx.htm

Windmill generates compressed air which is used to raise the water. Much cheaper than standard windmills, and way less parts to wear out.

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), December 26, 1998.

I've read a book, written for 3rd world use, which uses simple tubes and tires to make a rope and washer pump that lifts water up to 90+ feet from a well, or stream ,etc. email for title and info.

-- Charmaine Taylor (tms@northcoast.com), January 06, 1999.

EMERGENCY RESOURCE SUPPLY SELLS HAND PUMPS (PITCHER PUMPS) AND ALSO INSTALLS HAND PUMPS IN THE S. FLA. AREA. ALSO AVAILABLE ARE HAND PUMPS FOR 100' ,200' FT. DEEP WELLS CONTACT 1-800-464-9471

-- allan@EMERGENCY RESOURCE SUPPLY (ajg1@my-office.com), January 23, 1999.

Very Important Notice:

A new product to add to your on-line y2k supplies store:

Most candles are made with a carcinogenic toxic substance: paraffin. Paraffin is the left over residue from gasoline refining. Candleworks offers a clean-burning, 100% natural solution: Long burning candles made from soybean oil grown in America's Heartland. Each candle burns 60 hours $44 for one dozen (shipping is included in price): one dozen provides 720 hours of emergency light. These candles are safe, non-toxic and burn clean without the black soot created by paraffin.

We will pay your company a commision. Phone Mike Richards at 319-337-6316

-- Mike Richards (Icanwork@aol.com), April 17, 1999.