Backup water during power outage
#1
01-05-21, 11:33 AM
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Backup water during power outage
Hi, new to the forum.I have a 200 ft well with a 35-gallon pressure tank. We often get power failures for 1 to 4 hours, so does it make sense to add a 2nd tank? If so how big? Or replace the 35 gal tank with a larger tank? If so how big? The other solution is guess is to add a generator which would be a more expensive route. Thoughts
#2
01-05-21, 01:39 PM
Very rough guideline, have three times the tank capacity for the amount of water you want to store and will be pressurized for your faucets without electricity. For example each 35 gallon pressure tank will give you almost 12 more gallons of water.
You can have as many pressure tanks as you want subject to available space. Each one is connected and pre-pressurized as if it were the only pressure tank.
You can get more stored water per tank if you perform some system tweaks. But this will degrade overall system performance with power and you have to finish doing the tweaks prior to the power failure.
You can have as many pressure tanks as you want subject to available space. Each one is connected and pre-pressurized as if it were the only pressure tank.
You can get more stored water per tank if you perform some system tweaks. But this will degrade overall system performance with power and you have to finish doing the tweaks prior to the power failure.
#3
01-05-21, 04:05 PM
Although it's more expensive, a portable generator has the advantage of allowing you to do more than get well water. Perhaps you'll want to run a refrigerator and some lights or a TV in addition to a well pump. A portable generator allows you those options and others, depending on the generator you select. I'm not recommending one versus the other, only that the options aren't equal.
#4
01-05-21, 04:27 PM
Group Moderator
A second pressure tank won't really help. The tanks are never completely full and they are mostly empty before the pump kicks on. The problem is you never know how much is in them. If the power goes out right before the pump was due to kick on... you don't have much water. I am on a well and have a very large pressure tank. When the power goes out sometimes we can only get one or two toilet flushes before the water quits and other times we can open the tap and have water for ten minutes. You just never know so it's always a guessing game.
There is the bucket method. You can fill some clean buckets or water containers. Treat them with chlorine and seal the lid and store in a dark place. You can pour water directly into the toilet bowl to make it flush or you can pour the water into the tank and use the flush handle like a city person.
A properly sized generator is best alternative if you've got the money. It can get you water, lights, TV and keep the fridge cold. A portable generator is a real PITA if you have to drag it out and hook it up each time the power goes out for a few hours but is a good option for extended outages. A automatic standby generator system is by far the best option but also the most expensive.
A more recent option, though not cheap, is a portable battery backup system. They look a bit like a generator. A portable box with outlets on it. Most have lithium batteries and when properly sized can start a well pump motor, power lights and run the fridge... for a while.
There is the bucket method. You can fill some clean buckets or water containers. Treat them with chlorine and seal the lid and store in a dark place. You can pour water directly into the toilet bowl to make it flush or you can pour the water into the tank and use the flush handle like a city person.
A properly sized generator is best alternative if you've got the money. It can get you water, lights, TV and keep the fridge cold. A portable generator is a real PITA if you have to drag it out and hook it up each time the power goes out for a few hours but is a good option for extended outages. A automatic standby generator system is by far the best option but also the most expensive.
A more recent option, though not cheap, is a portable battery backup system. They look a bit like a generator. A portable box with outlets on it. Most have lithium batteries and when properly sized can start a well pump motor, power lights and run the fridge... for a while.
#5
01-05-21, 08:22 PM
Group Moderator
We often get power failures for 1 to 4 hours,
#6
01-06-21, 09:56 AM
From Pilot Dane:
This is an option I hadn't thought about. A portable battery backup, often called a portable power station could be a cost effective approach if all you want to do is power a well pump and perhaps a little more. A portable power station could run a well pump for the 1-4 hours you need. You can find a good selection for under $150 but they're not a generator so their use is much more limited.
A more recent option, though not cheap, is a portable battery backup system. They look a bit like a generator. A portable box with outlets on it. Most have lithium batteries and when properly sized can start a well pump motor, power lights and run the fridge... for a while.
#7
01-07-21, 07:43 AM
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thanks, everyone for your input.
It has all been very useful .... sounds like the best option is a generator which is a more expensive options but as you pointed out it can do more than just run the well.
It has all been very useful .... sounds like the best option is a generator which is a more expensive options but as you pointed out it can do more than just run the well.
