The Simple Pump mechanical hand pumps are designed to be permanently
installed in domestic groundwater wells in parallel with the existing
submersible electric pump.
There are relatively few, if any, comparable products currently
available and as such there are several questions that are frequently
asked.
Within the following paragraphs we have provided detailed responses
to these questions. After reading through this information, should
you have additional questions or concerns please call us at (800)
455-2201. Alternatively, feel free to send your question via e-mail
to us at . We will do everything we can to properly and thoroughly
address your question(s).
Q. "How
deep can it pump from?"
A. As a mechanical hand pump, the
maximum pumping depth is directly related to the amount of effort
applied to the lever arm. We believe that the average person can
easily pump from depths up to 200 feet. We estimate that the maximum
effective pumping depth is approximately 290 feet, but for emergency drinking water only. As a practical
matter, we suggest to our customers that if you are looking at an
installation deeper than 200', that you look at one of our Solar Water Pumps - that has no hand pumping ability. It will be strictly a solar pump, and will need a well casing diameter of at least 4".
Q. "
How much water will it pump?"
A. Pumping rates from the Simple
Pump vary directly with the frequency and length of strokes of the
lever arm. Operated normally with a reasonable amount of effort
the pump will produce approximately 2 - 3 gallons per minute.
Q. "Will
I have to take out my existing electric submersible pump to install
the Simple Pump?"
A. In most applications the
Simple Pump will readily fit in your existing domestic well without
removing or disrupting your existing pump and motor.
There are a couple of pump installation configurations that we
have encountered that are problematic for the normal homeowner and
may require the assistance of a pump installer to complete the installation.
One such configuration is when the existing pump discharge pipe
protrudes from the top of the well cap. In this configuration, the
existing submersible pump and discharge piping is entirely supported
by the well cap. The pump and string of discharge piping, depending
on the pump's depth setting, can be very heavy requiring mechanical
assistance to lift the assembly. In this instance contact a qualified
pump installer to provide you with assistance during the installation
process.
A second condition arises in some deeper submersible pumps that
have been installed using what are commonly referred to as "torque
arrestors" or "centering guides". These fittings
act to keep the discharge piping from the submersible pump in the
center of the well and reduce the twisting effect, or torque, caused
by the pump turning on and off. It is difficult to determine if
an existing pump assembly is equipped with a torque arrestor or
arrestors. Under normal applications the drop pipe assemblies freely
slide into the well casing. If however, during the installation
of your Simple Pump assembly, you encounter difficulty in sliding
the drop pipe into the well, there may be a torque arrestor in place
that the Simple Pump is hitting on. If you encounter this condition,
carefully remove the Simple Pump assembly from the well casing and
contact a qualified pump installer for assistance. The Simple Pump
will still fit, but will require special alignment of the drop pipe
assemblies to fit through openings in the torque arrestor(s).
The final condition that may be problematic during the installation
of the Simple Pump occurs with relatively small diameter wells,
typically 4" and smaller or well casings that are not vertically
aligned. The size of the pump's discharge piping relative to the
well's casing diameter will determine the ability to easily install
the Simple Pump assembly. The largest diameter of any of the Simple
Pump components is 1-5/8" and will normally fit beside the
pump's discharge piping in a 4" diameter well. If, during the
installation process, you encounter difficulty or binding as the
drop pipes are being slid into place, you may need to contact a
qualified pump installer to provide assistance.
Q. "Can
I install it myself?"
A. In most applications a person
with average mechanical ability can readily install a Simple Pump
assembly with only minor assistance. A typical installation can
easily be completed within two hours. After you have completed your
installation you can help your neighbors with theirs and will take
less than one hour per installation.
Q. "What
parts will wear out?"
A. The Simple Pump assembly
is constructed of durable materials that will not easily wear out.
The pump assembly, pump head, pump cylinder and check valves are
all stainless steel; the pump rods are aerospace fiberglass with
stainless steel ends; and the drop pipe is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC),
Schedule 80. Finally, the pump's lever handle assembly is solid
aluminum.
There are a series of four "o-rings" at various locations
in the pump assembly. Each of these is made of a durable rubber
product referred to as "Buna-N". Replacement o-rings,
if ever needed, are commercially available at most hardware stores
or spares can be purchased directly from us.
Q. "How
hard is it to pump water?"
A. Pumping water from normal
depths with the Simple Pump system is easy. The lever handle that
is standard equipment with our pump system works on common leverage
principles and provides a leverage ratio of 3.3:1. The actual force
required is dependent on the total length of drop pipe assembly.
For a standard installation of 100 feet, the equivalent force required
is approximately 13 pounds downward. At 200 feet, the equivalent
force required per stroke is approximately 26 pounds.
Q. "What
is it made of?"
A. Components of the Simple
Pump system are manufactured from stainless steel, aircraft grade
fiberglass, or aluminum. The pump assembly, pump head, pump cylinder
and check valves are all stainless steel; the pump rods are aerospace
fiberglass with stainless steel ends; and the drop pipe is Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC), Schedule 80. Finally, the pump's lever handle assembly
is solid aluminum.
Q. "What
size well will it fit in?"
A. The dimension of the largest
component of the Simple Pump system is approximately 1-5/8"
OD. Therefore, as a stand-alone application, the Simple Pump could
be installed in a nominal 2" diameter well casing. Routinely,
without removing the existing submersible pump or its discharge
piping, the Simple Pump system is installed in domestic wells with
nominal diameters in excess of 4".
Q. "How
long does it take to install?"
A. If you possess average mechanical
ability and are somewhat familiar with the installation of routine
plumbing or irrigation piping, the Simple Pump installation can
be easily accomplished within a couple hours with only minor assistance.
The second time you install a Simple Pump system (helping a friend
or neighbor) you will be able to complete it within an hour.
If, however, you are not quite that adept in mechanical applications
we strongly recommend that you contact a qualified pump installer
or licensed plumbing contractor to assist you.
Q. "I
live in an area that freezes often. How does it work in that environment?"
A. The Simple Pump was designed
similar to a non-freeze hydrant and allows the upper column of water
to bleed off to a depth below the frost line. The pump, therefore,
works well in that environment. Proper precautions should be taken
each fall to ensure that the weep hole has not become obstructed.
Q. "How
long has Simple Pump been in this business?"
A. Although the Simple Pump
Company is relatively new, the design and manufacturing process
is the direct result of collaborative efforts between two engineers
working in related fields. The first, a mechanical engineer who
is responsible for the pump's design and high quality workmanship,
has been involved in the design and manufacturing of large scale
mechanical equipment for nearly 20 years. He owns and operates the
machine shop that produces the pump assembly and directly supervises
the Company's quality control and quality assurance procedures.
The second is a civil engineer that has been practicing in the area
of water and wastewater system design, including design of large
diameter municipal water wells, for nearly 16 years. Collectively,
they have in excess of 35 years of related experience.
Q. "Is
there any lead in the Simple pump?"
A. The pump assembly and its
component parts are manufactured from lead free materials and is
in compliance with the federal water quality standards as promulgated
in 40 CFR 141.85 Section 2.2. Simple Pump components are also in
compliance with the even more stringent California proposition 65
requirements.
Q. "How
do I determine the depth to groundwater or static water level?"
A. Depth to groundwater is
difficult to accurately determine without the benefit of a well
sounding device. You can approximate the depth to groundwater from
the well driller's drilling log when the well was initially drilled.
In the absence of this information, contact a local well driller
or practicing engineer to have the water depth confirmed by sounding
or other measurement technique.
Q. "What
is the difference between well depth, groundwater depth or static
water level?"
A. Well depth is defined as
the full depth that the well was drilled or cased. "Depth to
groundwater" and "static water level" are synonymous
phrases and define the depth or distance from the top of the well
to the level of water within the well. This distinction is important,
as the static water level is the depth from which water is pumped
irrespective of the depth that the pump is set. We normally recommend,
accommodating natural groundwater level decline, that the Simple
Pump be installed to a depth at least 20 feet below the static water
level.
Q. "Can
the pump really develop enough pressure to fill my pressure tank?"
A. Yes. Simple Pump has been
manufactured to very stringent tolerances, which affords the opportunity
to develop sufficient pressure to fill a residential pressure, or
bladder tank. Pressurizing a tank is equivalent to a lower water
level which increases need force on the handle.
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