I am trying to figure out how to easily modify a rainwater cistern to operate similar to a well pump system. Here is what the cistern looks like in place
The incoming downspout is diverted into the manhole in the cistern. There is a custom filter basket in the manhole on top that separates the bulk of incoming debris. The lower plumbing assembly attached to the bulkhead in the tank is as follows: a tee with a vertical tube in order to view the water level inside the tank, another tee with a plug for cleanout on front, off to the side is ball valve, and the final part is a male hose connector. The braided water hose is to connect to an irrigation centrifugal pump so that the homeowner can pump the water through a regular garden hose to a sprinkler or simply an open hose.
The problem is that with that type of pump, it is either on or off. Once the pump is turned on, the flow will obviously continue until the pump is switched off. You cannot put a nozzle on the end and shut off the flow, as there is no pressure switch on the pump.
I would like to try and modify the system to use a jet pump with pressure tank and pressure switch. After browsing around Grainger's site, I located this pump http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4TB35 . I considered building a small pump house enclosure for the pump and tank and putting a hose bibb on the outside of the enclosure. The pump would then cycle itself on and off according to the water demands, much easier than simply using a booster pump as it is now.
Does anyone have any opinions as to how to best hook up a pump like this to a cistern as seen in the photo? If I wanted to use the foot valve, I figure I would have to drop the line in through the top of the tank, maybe use another bulkhead up there. Am I correct that if I wanted to come off the lower plumbing assembly, would a check valve inline serve the same purpose as the foot valve? Does anyone know if there is a float valve that could be tied in to the power supply that would also reach into the cistern and shut off the supply when the water supply is out? I wouldn't want to forget and leave the pump running, to then use up the water and burn up the pump.
Thanks for any advice and help,
Lyle
The incoming downspout is diverted into the manhole in the cistern. There is a custom filter basket in the manhole on top that separates the bulk of incoming debris. The lower plumbing assembly attached to the bulkhead in the tank is as follows: a tee with a vertical tube in order to view the water level inside the tank, another tee with a plug for cleanout on front, off to the side is ball valve, and the final part is a male hose connector. The braided water hose is to connect to an irrigation centrifugal pump so that the homeowner can pump the water through a regular garden hose to a sprinkler or simply an open hose.
The problem is that with that type of pump, it is either on or off. Once the pump is turned on, the flow will obviously continue until the pump is switched off. You cannot put a nozzle on the end and shut off the flow, as there is no pressure switch on the pump.
I would like to try and modify the system to use a jet pump with pressure tank and pressure switch. After browsing around Grainger's site, I located this pump http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4TB35 . I considered building a small pump house enclosure for the pump and tank and putting a hose bibb on the outside of the enclosure. The pump would then cycle itself on and off according to the water demands, much easier than simply using a booster pump as it is now.
Does anyone have any opinions as to how to best hook up a pump like this to a cistern as seen in the photo? If I wanted to use the foot valve, I figure I would have to drop the line in through the top of the tank, maybe use another bulkhead up there. Am I correct that if I wanted to come off the lower plumbing assembly, would a check valve inline serve the same purpose as the foot valve? Does anyone know if there is a float valve that could be tied in to the power supply that would also reach into the cistern and shut off the supply when the water supply is out? I wouldn't want to forget and leave the pump running, to then use up the water and burn up the pump.
Thanks for any advice and help,
Lyle