[RE-wrenches] tankless hot water and pumping question

[Allan Sindelar]

Hey, old friend and neighbor,
Given that you live with the abandoned Aermotor windmill on Old Windmill
Trail at the bottom of your driveway ("yard art"?), I suspect that you'll
come out just fine in the water department. My toes are crossed for you for
the "sweet" part.
Allan
 
-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Phil
Undercuffler
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 11:03 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] tankless hot water and pumping question



<snip> off grid with water being trucked in and stored in a ground level
polyethylene tank.

<snip> My building inspector does not allow grade level tanks as the warm
temp adds to bacteria growth. 

 

I agree with Darryl about putting the tanks underground, otherwise they
become veritable cornucopia of bugs and nasties.  Having lived 14 years off
of rain water catch in NM (supplemented with my fair share of hauled water)
I strongly suggest adding a simple low water indicator LED to give a warning
before the tank runs dry.  Otherwise I guarantee the pump will begin to spit
air just when you are standing in the shower with shampoo in your hair.  Ask
me how I know.

 

The indicator can be a cheap LED from Radio Shack, combined with a resistor
to drop the voltage.  Calculating the resistor value is a simple matter,
given the voltage drop across LED and desired current in circuit.  For
instance, if your LED is rated for 1.7v & 20 mA, and your design voltage is
30 (highest expected voltage while charging), 

30-1.7=28.3

28.3=IR

28.3/.02=R

R=1415

Therefore, find a resistor with a value near 1415 and wire it in series with
the LED.  I've run the circuit into the house on standard signal cable (1
amp fuse at the power end, of course) and installed the LEDs through a blank
cover plate somewhere unobtrusive but noticeable inside.  Then, it's a
simple matter of tethering a "pump up" (close on fall) float switch so that
it triggers with enough time to plan a water delivery.  

 

I should also throw in that, having made it through all this time living off
the blessings (and curses) of the Rain Goddess, the big news in the
Undercuffler household is we're finally breaking down and putting in a well
- yep, the driller shows up next week.  Keeping my fingers and toes crossed
for sweet water, close to the surface!

 

 

Phil Undercuffler

Director, Battery-based and Off-grid

Distribution Sales Group

Conergy 

Our World Is Full of Energy

1730 Camino Carlos Rey Suite 103

Santa Fe, NM  87507

p.undercuffler at conergy.us

Direct | 505.216.3841

Toll Free | 888.396.6611 x4841

Fax | 505.473.3830

www.conergy.us

 

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