Thank You for considering this second matter too.
in a remote location, well off the grid, we have been pumping water to a holding tank (6 - 45 gallon water barrels) which are located far up a ridge behind the property for gravity feed use.
the system was originally delayed because the ridge is very steep and most water pumps would struggle with the significant rise. For almost two decades now we have used a basic but sturdy Briggs&Straton engine Pump combination which struggles with the head pressure but fills the tanks well.
Our water source is a deep lake, which we draw from at a depth of about 15 feet, intake about 3 feet off bottom, on a wide underwater area of about 45 feet, on a bay which drops well below 100 feet. (point being that suspended solids are not much of a problem, However i understand that with a slow trickle pump, which we would likely have here, it can be a problem...)
My parents are getting older, and the existing system requires some pysical labour to maintain and of course, it has to be turned on with a pull start every few days to keep the tanks full, this can be inconvienient. Therefore i have been looking for a reliable Solar alternative. The Lake side is ideal for panels, with a direct Southern exposure. The problem is the Height needed: i am not sure of the exact head on the system, but i often refer to the place as "life on the 45" for the fact that the whole place is built on a 45 degree slope, on a south facing point out into the Lake. The rise from lake level is something in the 300 foot range.
A decent solar system could keep a flow in the tanks during day light hours with the old gas pump as a "rainy day (week)" back up.
it is rustic, but my mother and i believe that it is exactly the kind of thing that will keep the "old Man" young, as long as we can create systems that are a little easier on him... they still use the out house, as it is environmentally better and as it's one flight down and two flights (aprox) up to use the outhouse... it is a great place to stay young.
I have done some basic research, and it seems that the newer systems may be able to handle the height better then what was on the market a few years ago. We are also not looking to make this a battery system for now, as 'keeping it simple' and dedicating it just to direct pumping seems best for now. I have also noticed that some of the pumps from just a few years ago are being phased out; i would hope that the system we install would be something easily maintained for years to come.
Thank You for any additional advice.
dlb
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