Bilge Pump question

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:12 pm

I'm trying to pump water about 10 feet above the reservoir free surface. I'm looking at 12volt 600GPH bilge pumps used in boats. I know these are low pressure high volume but they don't give enough information to know if it has enough pressure to pump to any decent height. Does anyone have a simple bilge pump that they've used in this way or that they could test before I buy something that may not work?

BTW this is for a shower design. I'd like to pump up to 10 feet because some of the water will be directed off to a fountain that collects back into the clean water tank.

chup · Post by **chup** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:16 am

As long as your pushing water, it will work to that height. The volume will be reduced with height though. As long as your getting 60 GPH you will have an ok shower. 120 GPH would be ideal.

Pumps can not pull water very high though and still work effieciently.

RJ

Zhust · Post by **Zhust** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:15 pm

Have you considered pumps for outdoor fountains? They are rated for both GPH and for the height of head they can attain.

Yes, "huh huh huh", I said head.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:03 am

That would be fine but I need it to run off of 12v DC since I'm considering running it off of a car battery and a trickle charger. Fountain pumps are usually 120v AC

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:39 am

I've seen solar powered fountain pums, cheap at harbor freight, but have no idea how efficient they are.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 3:21 pm

Perhaps a compressed-air-powered pump could be used, made from a garden sprayer, some hose and something like a plastic jerrycan for a reservoir...Several good pumps oughtta be enough to run the system for as long as a shower, and it's free energy unless you count the hummus or bacon or whatever your muscle fuel of choice is.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:21 pm

I've seen solar powered fountain pums, cheap at harbor freight, but have no idea how efficient they are.

That's a great idea. I'll check it out to see if they have them at my local store.

Perhaps a compressed-air-powered pump could be used, made from a garden sprayer, some hose and something like a plastic jerrycan for a reservoir

Is something like this commonly available? What is it used for and where can I find something like that? Doesn't sound exactly like what I need but it might give me some different ideas.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:41 pm

MikeVDS wrote:I'm trying to pump water about 10 feet above the reservoir free surface. I'm looking at 12volt 600GPH bilge pumps used in boats. I know these are low pressure high volume but they don't give enough information to know if it has enough pressure to pump to any decent height. Does anyone have a simple bilge pump that they've used in this way or that they could test before I buy something that may not work?

BTW this is for a shower design. I'd like to pump up to 10 feet because some of the water will be directed off to a fountain that collects back into the clean water tank.

Mike, I have used a 12v bilge pump for 6 years for our shower. I reduce the pipe size down to fit the RV style shower head and hose.. I then wire the on/off switch in a waterproof box and have that right near the soap holder to shut it down while soaping up.. I always have a spare pump just in case but never had to use it. Eacn camp member use's their own water then use's a hand pump to transfer that used water to the evap pond where I use another 12v bilge pump to help dispurse the gray water .
If in doubt about the bilge pump, just buy one and try it out.. They don't cost much... I'm working on having a solar charger to keep the battery up for the 2 pumps......

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:36 pm

Ok thanks. Any idea the GPH of your bilge pump? Make or Model?

About solar panels I just purchased a charger for charging my batteries and it looks like a good deal and a nice set-up. (On-line so I haven't tried it out yet) It folds in a case and comes with useful adapters, to hold rechargeable batteries and a car plug adapter. It says 2 watts max, I'm thinking, based on the amp rating and having used solar panels quite a bit, that it'll be closer to 1.5 watts. The bilge pumps typically draw about 25 watts, so assuming about 10 hours of good sunlight during the day you could run your shower for about 30 minutes a day without running your battery down at all. Considering a car battery is about 150 amphours and draws about 2 amps, that's roughly 10 hours a day for 7 days. I wouldn't imagine it would need charging at all though. Did you ever run a battery down?
http://www.batteryjunction.com/6vmupusopach.html

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:53 am

Great link Mike.. been looking for a place that has decent prices on Nite-Ize stuff. 7 bucks is pretty good for the led lamp and tailcap switch combo for a mini mag. That solar charger looks good for 20 bucks, from the pic it looks like it'll charge up any 6V or 12V item. I don't think something like that will do much to charge up a car battery though. That charger might handle keeping my PSP charged and maybe a small fan. I will try and get one in a few weeks and let everyone know how it works.

Some formulas to keep handy:

Converting Watts to Amps
The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts
For example 12 watts/12 volts = 1 amp

Converting Amps to Watts
The conversion of Amps to Watts is governed by the equation Watts = Amps x Volts
For example 1 amp * 110 volts = 110 watts

Converting Watts to Volts
The conversion of Watts to Volts is governed by the equation Volts = Watts/Amps
For example 100 watts/10 amps = 10 volts

Converting Volts to Watts
The conversion of Volts to Watts is governed by the equation Watts = Amps x Volts
For example 1.5 amps * 12 volts = 18 watts

Converting Volts to Amps at fixed wattage
The conversion of Volts to Amps is governed by the equations Amps = Watts/Volts
For example 120 watts/110 volts = 1.09 amps

Converting Amps to Volts at fixed wattage
The conversion of Amps to Volts is governed by the equation Volts = Watts/Amps
For Example, 48 watts / 12 Amps = 4 Volts

My smallest 12v inverter peaks at 70watts, the spec sheet claims a 50 amp battery will yield 5 hours of a 70 watt load without the car on.

As far as the pump goes your best bet is to get your setup mocked up somewhere and test it yourself. Buy 3 different pumps, Try em out, and return the 2 you don't like. Than pick up a spare just in case something goes awry. If you plan on having a cordless drill handy you can get one real cheap that runs from the drill. Or you could even go really green with it and make something rigged to a hand operated pump.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:04 am

Just found this on the same site.. for 75 bucks.. 13 watt max "briefcase" charger. Seems like a better deal considering that the 20 dallar one is only 2 watts.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:20 am

We have one of the briefcase models, nice little charger. Have to dust it off a lot. Got it on ebay for under $60, but that was a bit ago.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:46 am

Have not been up to speed on this thread.. But I have a Coleman shower pump. Runs off two D batteries at 6ft. for a bunch of days.. I don't bring it to the desert. It pumps to fast from a bucket. After reading here tho, I think I can add a "over flow" for extra water to return to the bucket. Its great in the mountians where there is a lot of water. Damn it's snowing here on the valley floor.

chup · Post by **chup** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:50 am

I tried it for you yesterday. I have a 500 gpm Atwood. It pumped 15 feet with plenty of flow for a shower. Might have gone higher put I had no way of getting above 15 feet. ( Me standing of roof of motorhome and holding hose at neck height with pump in 5 gallon bucket on ground.)

RJ

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:57 am

Awsome. Thanks a lot Chup for actually testing that out. I appreciate it. I'll probably be buying the pump within the month now that I'm fairly confident it will do the job. I can test up to 70 or so feet if you need it once I get one. I found out I can suck ice tea about 20 feet up. :)

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:01 am

MikeVDS wrote:Awsome. I found out I can suck ice tea about 20 feet up.

/

/
Hi sweety

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:06 pm

Through a straw, and purely for scientific research (and a bet). I overestimated the amount of fluid that would fit inside a standard straw, so I lost. But I guess it's also a good estimate of how much of a vacuum I can create. About -20 feet of water or about -9psi. But I set up in a 7 story building and could easily do it with a pump if needed.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 11:06 am

That vendor batteryjunction.com is AOK! THANKS AGAIN MIKEVDS!! Just got the 2nd half of my order today!! I was kinda worried when only the 6 flashlights came in and the 5watt maglight upgrade bulb and solar chargers were "backordered". But the 2nd half came today as advertised only 2 days after the 1st package. They are trustworthy and the products are as advertised. I got one of those 6/12v solar cells for MP3 players etc along with 2 of the briefcase chargers. Didnt realize how big they were going to be. The 20 dollar price tag kinda had me thinkin that the one item was gonna be on the small side. I am VERY pleased with the 5watt bulb in my 6 D cell maglite. It is almost as bright as my Surefire!! Of course the 6 Inova flashlights are gifts for those relative of mine that celebrate xmas instead of the soltice like they should. Everyone gets flashlights EVERY YEAR! You can never have enough torches handy!

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:39 pm

Perhaps a compressed-air-powered pump could be used,

Also known as Randolph pumps.

Bilge Pump question

Bilge Pump question

Re: Bilge Pump question

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