Last week I found out that my farm has a second, much newer well. Inquired at the local well drilling business about getting a solar pump setup as there is no electricity on the property anymore, and was quoted $5500-$6000 to set it up. I about fell off the stool I was sitting on! Seriously, that much I asked. Oh yeah he replied, especially since I don't know anything about your well. So, I handed him my copy of the well drillers report kept on file with the state. Hmmm yeah about $6000 to set it up for you. Anyone have any experience setting up one of these systems? I can't believe it would be that much for an existing well.
Had 4 of them on remote valves. Ended up installing generators for winter use. $6k don't sound that outrageous, pumps need lot of power. Big battery bank & big inverter. Need it to operate 24/7/365 ? Why not buy a used generator. Run it when you need it. Have a pump in the well , pump size & voltage / Amps ? (usually 220 v ) Size generator accordingly. Even make auto start ones. works at night & winter time
Generator was the first thought in my head after hearing $6k. I need it for watering livestock and a secondary source of water. Don't know if there is a pump in the well or not. If there is, it probably hasn't been used since the early nineties. All I know is it is a 4 inch well case drilled to 77 ft. Static water level at 60 ft. It was tested at 67 ft. To pump 15 GPM. I would assume the pump it was tested with is still there.
Check these guys out. We have one of their hand pumps at our cabin. Works great. http://www.simplepump.com/OUR-PUMPS/Solar.html
Before I bought the place, previous owner didn't want to pay a minimum monthly charge, so the electric coop pulled the lines. Now to have it brought back in they will have to trench in somewhere from 1/4 to 1/2 mile of new line estimated around $30k.
K-state has some good info on solar wells. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...hmqldOzQ8DgYVjdCA&sig2=zPOwKEI78AlzI7rIAQR1Bw
Thanks everyone for the info. Its looking like the solar systems are much cheaper online and don't look too hard to set up. The generator appears to be the easiest way to go, just might have to upgrade my genie to a larger unit. Only have a 2000 watt northern tool unit currently.
Stinny, I guess my wife knew about these already, she is way more knowledgeable on solar stuff than I am! I did send them an email with all the info about the well so we'll see what kind of system they recommend. Thank you!
