Even small one-horsepower pumps can deliver tremendous pressure.
Most rural or country homes can use an irrigation pump if there is a water source close by like a ditch or a pond. Irrigation pumps are available at most home improvement stores, along with all the fittings and wiring needed to facilitate operation of the pump. Most common systems use a 1-inch output line, with a one-horsepower pump approximately 12 horizontal inches from the water source. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Locate the pump and water source as near as possible to a 220-volt power outlet. Run an outdoor power cord to that location. 220 volts is the standard for most irrigation pumps because it's more efficient. Most pumps come 220-ready, but pumps are dual voltage and can run on either 220 or 110. Check your manual to find out which voltage your pump is set for.
2. Set the pump as close to the water source as possible. Wrap the threads with Teflon tape, and then screw a 2-by-12-inch threaded poly pipe into the pump inlet extending above the water source, with a maximum distance of 20 vertical inches above the water. Wrap with Teflon tape and screw a 2-inch elbow onto the pipe. Wrap that with Teflon tape, and screw a check valve to the end of a 24-by-2-inch pipe. Wrap the threads of the pipe with Teflon tape and screw that onto the elbow, letting the end with the check valve drop vertically as far into the water as possible. This type of pump needs a reliable water source like a ditch or pond because of the volume of water it can produce. A garden hose or rain barrel will not supply enough water for an irrigation pump.
3. Wrap all the threads of the coupler and poly reducer T with Teflon tape. Screw the 2-inch threaded coupler and then the 2-by-1-by-1-inch poly reducer T to the top of the pump--the discharge. Screw a 1-inch poly insert coupler to the horizontal-facing outlet of the T, and connect it to the 1-inch poly irrigation system line with a 1-inch steel pipe clamp using a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Fill a bucket with water from the pond or ditch that your pump intake is drawing from. Pour water into the top of the T until the pump housing is full and water runs out the top of the T, priming the pump. When the pump is full, with water running out the top, quickly screw a 1-inch cap into the top of the T and plug in the pump to power. Within a few minutes the pump will pressurize the output line.
Tags: water source, Teflon tape, with Teflon, with Teflon tape, Wrap threads