Bore hole and buffer tank

[Extreme Optimist]

Evening,

Finally got around to adding a 5000 litre buffer tank and pressure set to my borehole set up. It all works well, but in times of high demand, the 3/4" float valve struggles to be man enough to keep up!!
The buffer tank is fed from the bore hole by a 32mm pipe reduced to a 3/4" float valve. Anyone know of a suitable system to feed the buffer tank at 32mm rather than reducing before it goes into the tank?

Thanks

 

[Countryboy]

Got float switches set up on 5000 litre tank here. bottom switch kicks in the borehole pump, full flow through 32mm pipe and top switch stops pump. Tank than acts as buffer and pump only runs infrequently. If of interest could provide more details and photo's of set up.
regards

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Got float switches set up on 5000 litre tank here. bottom switch kicks in the borehole pump, full flow through 32mm pipe and top switch stops pump. Tank than acts as buffer and pump only runs infrequently. If of interest could provide more details and photo's of set up.
regards

That would be great. Would help a lot. Thanks @Countryboy

 

[Chickcatcher]

@Extreme Optimist Just a question,
Why have you got a buffer tank, why not run the system straight of the Bore hole pump with pressure switches to control the activity? including a large pressure vessel.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

That was how we had it, but the pump kept on cutting out indicating "minimum flow". Think this is due to the length of water pipe its pushing through. The buffer tank has stopped all this, but at times of maximum demand, the float valve supply struggles to keep up with the booster pump output.

 

[Fergieman]

T piece on the 32mm supply pipe and 2 3/4 ball valves into the tank.

 

[Chickcatcher]

Ok another idea! 32mm straight into buffer tank with no ball valve and a low level switch to start bore hole pump and a high level one to stop it, been down the T and 2 ball valves but when I was looking into something similar there was something I think call an "Aylesbury" "K" type float valve.

 

[Thick Farmer]

I have a float switch on mine that turns the pump off when the tank is full and back on again as the level drops.
No ball valve, just a 32mm feed in and out.

 

[Full of bull(s)]

Out of interest what is your daily usage and is it fairly constant? We drilled one last year and the firm just fitted a small pressure vessel in the line with an in line cut out switch for the pump positioned just before it. We use about 10 cube/day but it is a pretty constant flow with a pump capable of 4 cube/hour. If usage increased a lot over time they said it would be better with a variable drive set up so the pump doesn’t start/ stop too much.

 

[jellybean]

This might not be applicable to the OP but there is a firm called Jobe who do float valves that go from full on to full off. When I had new equipment put on my borehole, including a 300 gallon tank, a normal ball valve was put in. After a while I noticed the electricity bill had doubled, yes doubled. Finally dawned on me that as the borehole pump was filling the tank and the ball float started rising the flow rate slowed down and the pump was slaving away producing b----r all in flow. Replaced with a Jobe and electricity bill back to normal and pump only running for mere minutes instead of 30-40

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Aylesbury" "K" type float valve.

Thanks. Will look up the Aylesbury type valve.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

I have a float switch on mine that turns the pump off when the tank is full and back on again as the level drops.
No ball valve, just a 32mm feed in and out.

So does the float switch link directly into the borehole control gubbins or does it just switch the electricity off?

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Out of interest what is your daily usage and is it fairly constant? We drilled one last year and the firm just fitted a small pressure vessel in the line with an in line cut out switch for the pump positioned just before it. We use about 10 cube/day but it is a pretty constant flow with a pump capable of 4 cube/hour. If usage increased a lot over time they said it would be better with a variable drive set up so the pump doesn’t start/ stop too much.

No idea what the usage is. Not come across the variable drive setup either. The borehole is saving big money, but it is a pain in the a*** at times. I imagine once we have got it properly set up it will be fine, but it's getting there that is the issue!!

 

[Extreme Optimist]

This might not be applicable to the OP but there is a firm called Jobe who do float valves that go from full on to full off. When I had new equipment put on my borehole, including a 300 gallon tank, a normal ball valve was put in. After a while I noticed the electricity bill had doubled, yes doubled. Finally dawned on me that as the borehole pump was filling the tank and the ball float started rising the flow rate slowed down and the pump was slaving away producing b----r all in flow. Replaced with a Jobe and electricity bill back to normal and pump only running for mere minutes instead of 30-40

It's a 3/4 Jobe valve that I have got filling it at the mo, but it is just not man enough for the job. I think float switches are probably the answer, but it's just how I integrate them into the system.
These Jobe valves are good, but bloody hell they are expensive!!

 

[Suffolk Serf]

I’ve just upgraded from a system solely working from the bore pump to a 20 cube tank, fed from the bore pump, and a booster pump from the tank.
Electric float switches control the bore pump, which now has a much easier life.
Another electric float switch is linked to a SMS message sender to tell me if the tank is low. I was quoted about 2 grand to do that so I found on the internet something for £120 and a wet afternoon figuring out.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

I’ve just upgraded from a system solely working from the bore pump to a 20 cube tank, fed from the bore pump, and a booster pump from the tank.
Electric float switches control the bore pump, which now has a much easier life.
Another electric float switch is linked to a SMS message sender to tell me if the tank is low. I was quoted about 2 grand to do that so I found on the internet something for £120 and a wet afternoon figuring out.

Can you save me 2 grand as well???
Do the float switches link into the inverter, or do they switch the power on and off?

 

[Suffolk Serf]

Can you save me 2 grand as well???
Do the float switches link into the inverter, or do they switch the power on and off?

Not entirely sure how they switch the pump as I had my well drilling people installed it. I believe just power on and off.

 

[Cjm]

Took me several days to find/remember the name, but google Remex float switches. Would be ideal for this

 

[Cjm]

http://www.georgelancaster.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Type-P-Data-Sheet.pdf

 

[Suffolk Serf]

http://www.georgelancaster.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Type-P-Data-Sheet.pdf

My pump people used to use those but now use something else that looks like a half inflated ballon and switches on or off depending if one way up or the other. They say they work very well. I hope so!
Edit: Just found them on 't interweb, they're called Mega Switches, cost about £8.50.