Homestead mailing list

[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

G'D'Evening Bill,
You are talking over my head, but I can sense your excitement and pride, 
so I am excited for you..congrats!  It's always rewarding to find a 
cheaper way or an ingenious way to do something, and it seems you have 
done both, from what I understand.

Kudos,

Bev

Bill Jones wrote:
> I can't resist telling folks more about my new water system.  The other 
> day I realized that I can make it perfectly seamless with my existing 
> electric well pump.  The next time the need arises to spend $500 on 
> another one of the Man's delicate impeller pumps, I'll switch to my own 
> system.
>
> The basic pumping unit, if you recall, is just a cylinder with a pair of 
> one-way valves attached to the bottom.  Compressed air is injected into 
> the top.  Today I'm working on the very simple control circuit that 
> senses when the pump chamber is empty, and turns off the flow of air 
> through a solenoid valve long enough for the chamber to refill.
>
> The other day I realized that with one more (< $30) solenoid valve, this 
> one controlled by my existing pressure switch, the whole system can be 
> as automatic as it is now.  This valve would serve as the master control 
> valve that turns on air from the compressor.
>
> So even if I just go out and buy a small compressor, which I can use for 
> many other purposes, the whole cost won't be over $300.  The pump with 
> its one-way valves is about $80, two solenoid valves are about $60 (but 
> my buddy Orlando has an abundance of solenoid valves salvaged from old 
> mills), I've spent under $30 on transistors and relays and such, and the 
> compressor is around $100.  I guess I also need a long air hose too.  
> The only things to remember are that the compressor has to match or 
> exceed the pressure output of my present pump, and its power rating has 
> to be match or exceed it as well.
>
> Here's the best part of all.  If I rig up my own T-connector (possibly 
> requiring some one-way valves) so that air from a separate, wind-powered 
> compressor (any old piston engine with one good cylinder will do) is 
> injected into the storage tank of the electric one, then it won't come 
> on as long as there's enough wind blowing.  So it's possible to smoothly 
> make the transition from the grid to home power.  If you just can't put 
> air back into the compressor tank, it may be necessary to have one's own 
> "receiver" tank.
>
> It's really funny how things come together.  If I had never moved here 
> and seen Orlando's pneumatic-controlled sawmill, or if I'd never studied 
> electronics, I probably wouldn't have the confidence to put it all together.
>
> Bill
> S. Oregon coast
> _______________________________________________
> Homestead list and subscription:
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/homestead
> Change your homestead list member options:
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/options/homestead/erthnsky%40bellsouth.net
> View the archives at:
> https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/homestead

--
Bevanron of EarthNSky Farm   Sleep well tonight, for somewhere in the 
ocean's depths, MY son is protecting YOUR freedom.