[BadDogTitan]

I have a small cabin about 1,500 feet from the lake. The cabin is about 90 feet lower than the lake. I draw water from the lake using a convertible jet pump at the lake using a neighbour's power. I would like to move the jet pump closer to the cabin to use my own power source.

I don't believe it is possible to pull water that far, but if it can be done, what diameter supply line it would require?

Plan B is to install a 125-gallon storage tank near the cabin, and use a 1 1/4" supply line as a siphon.

Is there a limit to how far a siphon will operate (presuming the line is properly primed)? Do the same principles of cavitation which limit a jet pump apply to a siphon?

 

[Colbyt]

Getting the siphon line primed will be the hard part. I once saw a house with running water that relied totally on such a system. The grade was steeper and longer.


A farm near where I grew up pulled water from a lake 30-40 feet lower but I have no clue what type of pump was used.


Can you bury either line or will this be an annual struggle?

 

[BadDogTitan]

I believe I have the priming bit figured out using a foot valve and a hand pump. I've got a bit of a hill right at the lake to get over, but once the water is over that, it will begin the descent down to the storage tank.

I am unable to bury the line, so this will be a yearly affair. The cabin is not winterized.

 

[Colbyt]

Just thinking out loud here.


This https://www.quora.com/How-far-can-a-pump-pull-water-horizontally leads me to believe the isn't a pressure option for your situation.



Maybe a solar panel, battery, timer and a pump suitable for getting over the hill and gravity feed after that to fill a tank of your choosing.


I think you might consider a catchment / cistern option as a better plan.


Any chance you might find a shallow spring on your property?

 

[joed]

Distance for the pump draw will not be an issue. It is height that matters. The jet pump will not draw water up more than 25'. It can push it much further.

Is there a limit to how far a siphon will operate (presuming the line is properly primed)? Do the same principles of cavitation which limit a jet pump apply to a siphon?

If you draw from the bottom of the tank there is no siphon action. Siphon infers you are going up first above the water level and then back down. If you draw from the bottom of the tank it is all pressure from the tank pushing the water. There is no limit on distance or height. The more height you have the more pressure you have. Approx .43 PSI per foot.