Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.)

Delivery Line Pressure Specifications
Water pressure per foot of head, in the Dankoff chart indicates 60 PSI static pressure at 140 feet.  When water is pumped, if my gauge is accurate, 60 PSI was reached at about 100 feet. Note that 60psi is the maximum pressure rating of most 1/2″ drip irrigation that is the least expensive black poly pipe. As a quick reference when designing a system, download the PDF of this chart.  To save money, you can use inexpensive black poly pipe rated for 100 or 160 PSI for lifts above 120 feet. To take full advantage of the Dankoff Model 1308’s ability to lift water to a maximum of 400 feet (@173 PSI), Pex, or similarly-rated high-pressure PVC should be used. However, we should not attempt lifts greater than ‘low lift’ without a pump controller, or without using small PV system as a power supply.
2.) Pump Controller, PV Power Requirements
When the linear current booster pump controller is used pump production can be increased by up to 40%, or conversely, less wattage can be used.  It functions in great part in the same way a MPPT charge controller converts voltage to current to perform work, in this case, the pumping of water.  Conversely, it can be said that less PV power is required to pump the same amount of water.  My pump controller was purchased in 2008, and is no longer available on the market. Hopefully, it’s replacement will be similar, or better.  It allows the use of 24 volt PV panel arrays to power a 12 VDC pump motor. This is a significant advantage as less expense smaller gauge wire can be used, or one can double the length of the cable run from a tree-shaded water source out to a clearing that offers full sun exposure throughout the day.
With a step down in voltage from 24VDC to 12VDC, there is also a greater differential of one order of magnitude increase in potential relative to a nominal 12VDC array, an improved advantage and ability to produce amperage in low light conditions available early in the morning and nearing dusk. Ask Thad at humboltsolarwaterpumps.com if he can suggest an alternate pump controller.  There is no limit to how much PV wattage can feed a pump controller. A large array can be spit into three sections, one oriented to the east, one to the south, and one to the west, and the pump will produce twice or more the gallons per day that most charts indicate.

Continue reading“Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Today, in place of my normal Friday column of economics and investing news items, I’m instead posting a collection of links related to the nascent Parallel Economy.

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First, In case you missed it, here is a link to my recent essay on what I dubbed Parallel Economy Groups (PEGs): PEGs: The Parallel Economy for Traditionalist Americans.

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Dan Bongino set up this site: ParallelEconomies.com.

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What is a Parallel Economy? [A Road Map]

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The Beginnings of a New Parallel Economy On Gab.

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The Hidden Dominion had one of the first essays that spelled out what was needed to counter the recent socialist policies push in the United States. This was posted back in October of 2020: On Fostering and Building A Parallel Economy.

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Parallel Economy Accelerates As Joe Rogan Joins New Social Media After Dr. Malone Interview Censored.

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Christian CEO Announces ‘Beginnings Of A Parallel Economy’ Free From Big Tech And Other Like Systems.

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At The Farm Press blog: Will two parallel economies develop in 2022?

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13 Great Places to Trade Stuff Online.

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The No Vax Mandate Job Board.

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Job board describing itself as a ‘modern day underground railroad’ aims to support people ‘regardless of vaccination status’.

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Video: Bitcoin꞉ How Cryptocurrencies Work in a Parallel Economy.

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An Adapt 2030 video: (MIAC #293) Positioning Yourself for the Parallel Economy After the Reset. (Craig Simpson from Radiant Creators and David DuByne of ADAPT 2030.)

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — January 13, 2022

This is the birthday of actor and shooter Robert Stack (1919-2003.)

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 98 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 98 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 2.)
If a 100-watt panel is used, the voltage could be 17.5 to 19 volts at its peak amperage, which is too high for long-term operation. As tested, I use two 100-watt panels, that have one cell covered with duct tape to reduce the voltage at the pump. Voltage is confirmed using a multimeter, and output measured with a one-gallon container, and a tachometer confirms that the pump head is turning at less than 1,725 rpm. Output should be slightly less 2.50 gallons per minute (GPM) if the Dankoff Model #1303 is used, and slightly less than 1.25 GPM if the Dankoff Model #1308 is used.
2. Voltage Limited by System Design
Another technique to reduce voltage at the pump to 16vdc or less, is to use lighter gauge wire, or a long run of wire between the panel and motor, so that enough voltage is lost in the line, by design.  We can use a voltage drop calculator to determine the voltage drop.  Normally we would use this calculator to avoid excess line loss so that a PV system is electrically efficient.  But in this situation I would use this calculation to design in a desire for voltage loss.  Referring to the chart below, we see that 40 watts is required by the #1308 to lift water to a height of 20 feet and it produces 1.25 gpm.  This is the math:
40 watts x  0.3 (30 percent) = 52 watts = 2.9 amps is needed.
If we have a 50 watt panel, then that would be adequate. Howevers I only have a 100 watt panel, therefore we will use a voltage drop calculator and discover that a 100 foot length of 14 ga wire will deliver 2.9 amps at just under 16vdc, namely 15.7 vdc. 12 vdc would not be too low.  There is a 10.3% loss of voltage. BTW, the typical “heavy-duty” 120 Volt AC extension cord uses 14 gauge wire.

Continue reading“Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we relate some retirement news from Dr. Gary North.

Dr. Gary North Signs Off, With His Final Book

Reader D.Z.  alerted me to this sad news from prolific economics writer and prepper Dr. Gary North:

“I am sending you my latest book, “The Biblical Structure of History.”

This is my final book. I wrote it in six weeks: October 3 to mid-November.

In early December, my health began to fail. I can no longer write my daily
articles.

I look back in gratitude: I completed my final project. My timing was right.

Thanks for reading my tips for the last sixteen years (or whatever).”

JWR’s Comment: Gary North has authored more than 50 books. I had the privilege of volunteering to moderate two of Gary North’s Y2K Forums, from 1998 to 2001. It was great fun to work with Gary, albeit remotely. (We’ve never met face to face.) He was always very cordial, and he lived up to his reputation as a Christian.  His Institute for Christian Economic (ICE) books have all been made available free of charge, and are highly recommended. For anyone new to his books, I suggest that you start by reading his text: Christian Economics.

A Prominent Law Professor Starts Prepping

G.G. flagged this, at Legal Insurrection:  Prepping for the Worst. I no longer view “preppers” as crazy. Maybe they were right, just early. Better early than late.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In urban America today, there exists an entire class of mayors and council members who believe they can control thieves, muggers, rapists, and murderers by surrendering to them. Truth be told, some of these politicians are only concerned about their careers and couldn’t care less about the real victims of these crimes and the productive, tax-paying residents who are forced to live in these violent hellholes. Regardless of their meaningless rhetoric, they are obviously not alarmed as their cities crumble and their policies make it impossible for law-abiding residents to live in peace. As their stupidity and weakness continues to damage our economy and create dangerous, unlivable urban areas, an increasing number of productive citizens will leave our major cities. The United States of America is living through such a demographic trend today. People are fleeing cities and states led by left-wing Democrats and moving to areas controlled by pro-business and tough-on-crime Republicans.” – Jeff Crouere, Canada Free Press (A hat tip to Patrice Lewis for the quote link.)

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 12, 2022

January 12 1879, the British-Zulu War began. British troops, under Lieutenant General Frederic Augustus, invaded Zululand from the southern African Republic of Natal.

On this day in 1737: John Hancock was born. He was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

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A USB Stick Update: The first batch of 1,000 waterproof/EMP-resistant 2005–2021 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks sold out in just four days! We are now taking backorders on a second batch of 500 sticks. Deliveries of the first batch will begin in mid-February. Deliveries of the second batch will begin on or around March 1st.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 98 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 98 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.)

There are clear advantages with the addition of electronics, and a battery-based pump system.  However reliable they may, or may not be, both of these options can fail at a future date.  As it is, if there are not the microchips to produce it today, so I would not expect it to be available during or after TEOTWAWKI. If we know how to work around a complex device normally used to run solar pumps, then we can also avoid the expense of either the pump controller or perhaps even a PV system altogether. Simplicity is better than complexity in any plan.
Three PV Power Supply Methods for Long Term Off-Grid Irrigation
Before jumping into the power supply options, the mechanical and electrical requirements and design limits of the Dankoff slow pump should be understood.  Thereby we can better appreciate the Pros and Cons of each option, and make more wise decisions as to how the pump should be deployed, and powered in various situations.  With such examination, we will also come to appreciate the risks, and take measures to avoid damaging a critical asset.
Pump Head, Mechanical Limitations
If the Dankoff slow pump is driven faster than 1,725 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), the pump head can be damaged. Above 1,725 RPM, the pump does not produce significantly more water, as would normally be correlated with voltage, current, and head. At that RPM, we are at the point of diminishing mechanical return, and increased wear of tight tolerance parts occurs. The pump head is the heart of the system and is vulnerable, so it is a wise investment of time to understand it, and to have a spare pump head or two, especially if one wishes to operate the system for period of 15 to 20 years.

Continue reading“Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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I read a piece that mentioned the 1973 movie Soylent Green was set in the year 2022. So, perhaps it is time to re-watch that film. I remember that seeing the bicycle-powered generator for the apartment occupied by Detective Frank Thorn (played by Charlton Heston) and that impressed me, as a budding survivalist. It makes me feel really old to realize that this movie — which was released when I was 13 years old — envisioned the world five decades in the future. And here we are, in 2022. So… what will America be like in another five decades?

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A recent video essay from Matt Christiansen: ‘Shock Poll’: A Third of Americans Say Violence Against Gov Can Be Justified | Declaration Revisited.

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Peter wrote us this bit of wisdom on the current supply chain issues:

“I was speaking with my daughter yesterday. She is younger, wanted management experience, and so is running all aspects of an auto-glass business.

She commented she would no longer consider a new vehicle unless it was a ‘common’ model (ie., manufactured in volume). She is seeing situations where customers are coming in with even say a 2014 vehicle and there is no replacement glass. This was for a GM vehicle. The manufacturers simply don’t care. The vehicles aren’t common such that there isn’t much (or any) of aftermarket parts either.
 
This is only for the glass, never mind other parts. I experienced this in 2020 with a 2007 Honda. The Gauge Control Unit was failing, they put in a new one, the new one was better but failing on the gas-tank sensor, and no others available from Honda. I declined trying to find one at an auto wrecker and now monitor approximate fuel by the trip odometer (e.g. assume 1/2 tank at 180 miles, fill up).
 
So, this is a FYI if you are vehicle shopping…“

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I found this linked at the conservative Whatfinger news aggregation site: Why Gun Sales Boomed in 2021 (And Will Keep Booming)

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Also by way of Whatfinger was this troubling news: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill Includes Mandatory Kill Switch For All Vehicles. My friend Commander Zero had some commentary on this news.

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Bob recommended this powerful presentation: Alex Newman: Get Your Kids Out of Government Schools.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 11, 2022

Today is the birthday of big-game hunter and writer Peter Hathaway Capstick.

January 11th is also the birthday of Alexander Hamilton. (Pictured.)

And today is the natal day of the late Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby, who was born in 1918. He was the most decorated hero of the Norwegian resistance under the German occupation. He died May 10, 2012.

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A USB Stick Update: The waterproof/EMP-resistant 2005–2021 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks are now orderable. Deliveries will begin in mid-February, 2022. Take note that only 1,000 sticks will be made for this batch. As of Noon, Pacific Time on Tuesday, 980 of those have already pre-sold.  So this batch will probably sell out before noon.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 98 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 98 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Using a Dankoff Solar Powered Water Pump – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

The Mission: To “Survive and Thrive”
In my opinion, the ability to irrigate crops is not covered adequately.  Few have a plan, or the ability pump water for decades without electricity from the grid.  And fewer still have a contingency plan that includes relocating with this critical ability. Not only is our currency at risk, at the same time, so is our food supply and the ability to grow it.  Famine could soon be in the land.
What is occurring in the world today has no equal in modern history books, but has been foretold in the Book of Revelation. Fleeing to the wilderness is Biblical. Regardless of faith, a contingency plan to do so, would be wise, in general. Those who would choose freedom over compliance will face persecution, and might be forced to move. Fleeing to parts unknown, or into the wilderness, might be our only option. This has been my contingency plan since 2008, when I purchased a Dankoff pump.
If possible, we should have several optional destinations in our planning to avoid being thrust into the wilderness, yet wherever we might land, we’ll need the ability to grow food, and lots of it.  Gardens will need to be irrigated. Even those with hundreds of acres of fertile farmland might not be able to irrigate it. And those who do have deep wells powered by PV panels, their ability to move to an unknown location and continue irrigate with PV power is unlikely, due to the limitations of their pumps. And even if we have a solar-powered deep well pump, or a hand pump, we might need a secondary pump to deliver it to the field. It is a pump we could take with us if forced to move to our alternate location, or a contingency location. The Dankoff pumps discussed here fit into this niche better than any other pump for a variety of reasons.
Why Choose the Dankoff Slow Pump?

I should mention that what can be accomplished by this pump, can also be done in part by a deep well, or an all-metal constructed ram pump.  However, I should equip the reader with what I believe is the best choice.  It is a pump designed for the stated mission, one that is better suited than any other pump for this situation.  As there are pros and cons with anything. If one has a well with a static level that is less than 250 feet, then a Sureflow 9300 (or its replacement equivalent), would be a better choice for the least amount of money. I would have two spare ShureFlow 9300 pumps, and if forced to flee, these would go with me. However, these pumps are not as robust, and are only suitable for low lift, and lower volume requirements. A quality-built ram pump from Lehman’s, if one has the correct situation, requires no electricity and can produce as much, or more water, more reliability than any other pump known.  However, a ram pump can only used in certain locations with a head of water available.

Note:  I noticed that Readymade Resources has an outstanding price on the Shurflow 9325 submersible pump. I do not know if these pumps can be run array-direct, but there is a chance that they could be.  It might be possible to do so with a 12vdc panel only as voltages would not exceed the pumps rating.   Regardless, it can be run off a PV system, or via a pump controller.  Perhaps I can one day afford one of these myself should my summertime income permit it.

The choice of the Dankoff Slow Pump has been well thought out over many years. Indeed other pumps have been investigated, and used by this author, and found wanting. Although I am a college drop-out, I use an engineer’s eye, and have considered the various methods to solving a long-term irrigation requirement, as if it were a part of rocketship payload headed for Mars.  I claim to have no qualifications other than messing with this sort of thing starting at age 7.  I am otherwise not qualified to put forth an opinion.  The knowledge and experience acquired over 30 years in the automotive maintenance business, and decades of experience in plumbing and electrical, were easily applied to this project.  Beware of Internet experts, credentialed or not, and salesman.
Fortunately, these pumps have been in the field since 1983, and have a reputation that is second to none.  To see examples in the field, do a web search using the terms ‘Dankoff Slow Pump, Engineer775’.  He has numerous and excellent videos, and praise for this pump. I introduced this pump to him around 2010, and he has successfully installed it at many locations.  I consider him to be an actual ‘expert’ on these and many other pumps when installed in the conventional way.  He is available for consultation.  Thad at humboldsolarwaterpumpl.com sells and operates these pumps at his home.  He is also available for consultation and equally is qualified. Some of the information provided here goes beyond conventional installation advice.

Here is an example of the Dankoff Slow Pump being used as a part of a community garden.

Simplicity, Reliability, and Durability Means Sustainability
As a rule in engineering circles, the fewer components in a system, the simpler it is, the more reliable it will be. Fortunately, there is a safe way to operate these pumps without batteries, and directly off of solar panels (Array Direct) in a way that ensures the full service-life of the pump.  Properly operated, the replaceable pump head can last an estimated 5 years of continuous operation and 10 years of seasonal operation under the prescribed conditions.  Brushes can also last just as long, 5 to 10 years.  The motor is said to has a service life of 15 to 20 years, and indeed there are many reports that support the claim. The pump used in an area where there are shorter growing seasons, the pump can last longer.
Avoid consuming the pump, that is, using it for anything other than irrigating crops, when the rain does not, and it will continue to operate longer. As with any precious and finite resource, it should be managed shrewdly.  This is especially the case if we can only afford to have one. I have built my own second slow pump for only $150, but it is not as capable.  It is only adequate for certain applications. I do have a plan to acquire another motor. The proper type, is however a specialty item that is difficult to locate at a price that I can afford, but only as a used, and a relatively rare item.
The price of these pumps have in recent years shot up to close to $1,000, yet given the alternatives, I believe it is a good value. It was good to have purchased it in 2008 at half the current price. It is far better to be way too early than one second too late. Hopefully, the reader can avoid the many years needed to learn how to operate this pump, especially austere situations, that they might face in the future.  The article could save the reader a costly mistake that could be made with this, or some other pump, where there is not adequate information provided by the manufacturer.  With knowledge, we might avoid a costly mistake, wherein from a catastrophic mistake, we could not recover from, and all is lost. If you choose a different pump, please study it thoroughly, and within the context of long-term austere settings.
The Pump Controller, A Victim of 2022 Shortages
According to the current manufacturer of Dankoff pumps, a pump controller could become available sometime in late 2022. The reason given for the delayed introduction is the ongoing shortage of microchips needed for its manufacture. We should note that microchips are in short supply, and susceptible to EMP. And the cost of a spare pump controller might be prohibitive.  Pump controllers for PV-powered water pumps are an expensive component, that could cost nearly as much as the pump itself. It would actually be better to buy two complete pumps than a spare pump controller, and one pump.

There are many reasons to learn how to operate this pump, and other pumps without electronics.  While very desirable, and in high lift situations, necessary, as it protects the pump head and motor from potential damage, this electronic device could can also fail. And if it does, or if we cannot obtain one, then we could also regulate voltage and current, by using a small PV system. For a long service life, a pump controller is good to have, but a PV system is even better at extending the life of this pump. A pump controller is only a necessity if the pump will be operated without batteries at greater than what is considered to be the low-lift situations as defined in the Dankoff-provided chart.  A pump controller, it if were available, can improve output upwards of 40%, because it can convert voltage into amperage. Yet with a full PV system, we can triple the output of the pump by running it during the night, and better protect the motor by using lower voltages.

(To be continued tomorrow, in Part 2.)

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on Stag Arms, now headquartered in Wyoming. (See the Wyoming section.)

Idaho

This article about Moscow, Idaho originated in the UK Guardian, and was later syndicated: ‘Make it a Christian town’: the ultra-conservative church on the rise in Idaho.

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Here is a new blog site, where they also have plans to also launch a podcast: Idaho Preparedness.

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This Is America’s Fastest Growing State.

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Anyone living in the Boise area interested in a classic Jeep pickup should check out this Craigslist ad: 1969 Kaiser M715 – $40,000. (JWR’s Comment: I can’t vouch for the seller. A reader just sent me the ad link.)

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The young men thought it was too hot to sleep inside their kaia, Bwana,” he replied. “Also,” he said, shuffling the dirt with a big toe, “they were a little bit drunk.” He shrugged with typical African fatalism. Most Africans believe it can never happen to them, something like the attitude of front-line troops.” – Peter Hathaway Capstick, Death in the Long Grass: A Big Game Hunter’s Adventures in the African Bush