Reading the comments found you live in Canada. I live in Ontario and am a senior living in a rural area and love my flower beds but am on a well. I have one of these tanks, but just have a hose coming out of the bottom of the tank, which is raised up about 3ft so cant really water the garden just keep filling up the watering can. This is a great project I will have to try and find someone handy that could see what you have done and see if I can copy it. Thanks a lot, this year we really needed water, ran out of it once from the well.
looking great man, your video is the one that made me want to do this. I have the tote, just received my 300gph 12v pump and I also picked up a 12v marine battery 115AH @ 1A and a 45w harbor freight solar kit. I will assemble it soon and make a video to share back with you. I plan to use it to water my veg. garden, along with in my beer brewing shed to pump through my wort chiller then back into the rain barrel. no more wasting water down the drain. :)
It's basically an Rv on demand pump 12 Volts, once it reaches 45psi after releasing the hose trigger the unit shuts down. Squeeze the trigger and it restarts.
I don't think rubber fernco is food grade. Or those there hoses,,might want to re think your hoses and those fernco rubber boots there...wow great job outstanding, beautiful 😍. You have a great job...beautiful 👍 👌 wow beautiful job..I guess if your not using it for vegetables plants and drinking your wow spot on awesomeness. A+
I stole your idea, I did the totes for rain and after watching your video I found a RV pump with the pressure switch and connected it to my solar setup I have here in the barn for my Ham Radio stuff. I leave mine on all the time and it works with my drip watering system just fine. Mine only drops voltage .6 volts when running (I put a small 5 volt adapter at the pump to power a couple inexpensive WIFI cameras so I could watch the critters in the woods out back) The voltage drop on my battery bank is normally either none or .1 volts when the pump is running. My bank has 4 sets of 2 6 volt golf cart batteries. I already had everything except the pump and it was not very much, thank you again for the idea I did not know such a easy to use inexpensive pump was out there.
man this is great and just what I am looking for as well. My totes look like yours but I think they are only 275 gallon anyway awesome setup and everyone should be doing it. please share any info you can with me about pump. I was looking into Harbor freight solar cells and controllers. How does yours turn on and off with just releasing the hose grip? that's something I want but don't know how it works? thanks take your time on reply.
I just put in my first rain barrel and tried watering my garden and didn't have enough pressure so I raised the tank and still not enough. Now I'm going to install a new spicket lower that has a bigger opening. If that don't work, I'm afraid I might need a pump. If this one is quiet and on demand, it will work perfect! I already have solar and a zero pressure timer hooked up to release the water. What one do you have?
This is a GREAT setup! Do you mind posting a list of required parts (estimated prices would be awesome)? I'm basically mimicking your design, but I'm using an 80w solar panel (Mid-Atlantic region, not as much sun until Spring/Summer).. Are you using any sort of battery/charge controller? Also, where'd you get the cool digital battery voltage indicator? Thanks again for the great videos and inspiration! One step closer to going "off-grid!"
So does the gauge of the 12v wire matter since it's going all the way across your yard. I have our solar panels set up about 75 feet from my pump. Or does the gauge of wire only matter from the solar panel to the charge controller? Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question. Love your set up and am using it as a partial guide along with a few other videos for my set up. THANKS!
Thanks for the comment there is in fact a hose at the bottom of the tanks that connect the two to balance them out the extra pipe on the top is just in case the first tank can't handle the volume it'll overflow and spill into the top of the other one
@@peeinginthewind sealing the top is quite tricky isn't it. I once had 5 inlets at the tops. I always lost some to leaks while grabbing slow rain trickles.
Great system but you really should have wrapped the plastic totes with 4 mill Black plastic to keep them from the sun and causing algae and over time the sun weakens plastic 😃😃
Yeah I’ve considered that but I like seeing the water level more importantly . one cap Full of bleach kills all the algae.. I just power wash them out halfway through the season..I even stand there like a nerd sometimes with my umbrella and watch them fill up lol ..
I don't do anything .. I power wash them out 2 a season and that's enough. I enjoy seeing the level and think the system looks cool the way it is, so I don't bother covering them up!
Yes the wire size is important too small of wire will become hot depending on the amperage... There should be a wire size chart online you google for your application... Thanx for watching :-)
Im in the middle of putting this set up together. is it possible to add a timer so the pump goes on automatically for a period of time. I want to set it up so it automatically waters my veggie garden if Im not home
System like this you’d have to be running for a while to make any costs back. You’d also have to be pretty frugal to piece a system like this together for economic purposes. His system looks more like ease of use than anything else.
Where did you purchase all the solar gadgets and what are some of the specifications of them? and solar is a good way to go too, I like the set up... Well done !.
Curious how the pump knows to shut off when you let go of the trigger! I want to set mine up to run an intermittent mist system, only kicking on when my timer opens the valve. I have a DIG six station timer. Any insight you could lend me?
Bought the tanks used online, not from a retailer... Just search your local classifieds for 330gallon tote, As for the pump, chk out my other vids I have one about the pump showing the model psi and gallons per minute ect... Hope that helps !
challenger70002 this is 2 years later, but I stumbled on someone with a bunch of these. I got 3 last week @ $50/each. He gets them from a potato chip factory. They are sitting in my driveway as I figure this out. This video is great! I got a few helpful ideas. Thank you
A decent amount i wash my car a lot and water my lawns garden every second day .. not to mention the fish pond takes a lot.. can't put a dollar value on it sorry .. I do get a 45 percent discount on my sewage charge tho so a wopping 8 bucks there lol
@@peeinginthewind How did you get a sewage charge discount? Is that cause of the rainwater totes? Any concern with having all that weight against the foundation, do you have a basement? Wondering what the mac weight one can put against a foundation.
Just contact your local municipality you get a discount based on how many litres you have from 0 to 45% maximum discount..never has a foundation problem.. yes I have a basement.. I suggest you put a few inches of pea gravel down and even set you tank down on longer railway ties ti spread the weight .. good luck
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the rubber bushings for the outlet of the tanks? I haven't been able to find anything to go from the 2" opening to a standard hose adapter without using 3 different adapters
I do yes ... I could paint the tanks to prevent to uv light from getting at it but I like seeing the water level .. so I just power wash them out half way thru the summer then again in the fall
You could put a piece of paint masking tape verticle on the tank before spray painting a black or dark color , then remove the tape when done, thus providing you the ability to see the water level through the previously taped area and preventing most of the sunlight from entering the tank. Be aware that it will take a lot of spray paint to completed the job. I have heard of people using black plastic sheets to wrap the tank . I would expect that after several years the black plastic sheets will need replacing, but it should help save the plastic tanks themselves.
Reading the comments found you live in Canada. I live in Ontario and am a senior living in a rural area and love my flower beds but am on a well. I have one of these tanks, but just have a hose coming out of the bottom of the tank, which is raised up about 3ft so cant really water the garden just keep filling up the watering can. This is a great project I will have to try and find someone handy that could see what you have done and see if I can copy it. Thanks a lot, this year we really needed water, ran out of it once from the well.
This is the best rain water harvesting system. What a amazing work is done.
Impressive. I have 4 50 gal barrels and plan on connecting a solar pump so this is great instruction. Thanks!
Thanks.. glad it was helpful
looking great man, your video is the one that made me want to do this. I have the tote, just received my 300gph 12v pump and I also picked up a 12v marine battery 115AH @ 1A and a 45w harbor freight solar kit. I will assemble it soon and make a video to share back with you. I plan to use it to water my veg. garden, along with in my beer brewing shed to pump through my wort chiller then back into the rain barrel. no more wasting water down the drain. :)
It's basically an Rv on demand pump 12 Volts, once it reaches 45psi after releasing the hose trigger the unit shuts down. Squeeze the trigger and it restarts.
Thank You. God Bless you and your Family.
Brilliant! Gotta build one myself soon. really like the power of that water stream!
Nice set-up! Thanks for sharing.
Thanx for comment ! Hope this video was helpful
Nice set up! I just got my 330 gallon tote tank put in the ground to pick up water from my foundation drain. This is a very helpful video.
Great setup! Thanks for sharing. I’m getting gutters put on this week just for this specific project.
Excellent way to lower your water bill if you live in the city
I don't think rubber fernco is food grade. Or those there hoses,,might want to re think your hoses and those fernco rubber boots there...wow great job outstanding, beautiful 😍. You have a great job...beautiful 👍 👌 wow beautiful job..I guess if your not using it for vegetables plants and drinking your wow spot on awesomeness. A+
Good job 👍
Tf macgyver! I was expecting an easy setup! You must have OCD 😀 Nicely done
I stole your idea, I did the totes for rain and after watching your video I found a RV pump with the pressure switch and connected it to my solar setup I have here in the barn for my Ham Radio stuff. I leave mine on all the time and it works with my drip watering system just fine. Mine only drops voltage .6 volts when running (I put a small 5 volt adapter at the pump to power a couple inexpensive WIFI cameras so I could watch the critters in the woods out back) The voltage drop on my battery bank is normally either none or .1 volts when the pump is running. My bank has 4 sets of 2 6 volt golf cart batteries.
I already had everything except the pump and it was not very much, thank you again for the idea I did not know such a easy to use inexpensive pump was out there.
Clean work man
Have you done a video on your battery set up . I love it
good explanation/communicator!
Thanx Mr !
Good work. Nice set up.
thanks
cleverly done ... nice ! ....
man this is great and just what I am looking for as well. My totes look like yours but I think they are only 275 gallon anyway awesome setup and everyone should be doing it. please share any info you can with me about pump. I was looking into Harbor freight solar cells and controllers.
How does yours turn on and off with just releasing the hose grip? that's something I want but don't know how it works? thanks take your time on reply.
Wow, this is the most elaborate system I've seen! Very nice. May I ask how long it took to set all this up?
Genius ... Love it ...
Thanks !
I just put in my first rain barrel and tried watering my garden and didn't have enough pressure so I raised the tank and still not enough. Now I'm going to install a new spicket lower that has a bigger opening. If that don't work, I'm afraid I might need a pump. If this one is quiet and on demand, it will work perfect! I already have solar and a zero pressure timer hooked up to release the water. What one do you have?
Nice system mate.
Nice job.
Cool concept. Do you have to worry about the effects of freezing conditions?
nice man,i got a few 55 gallon plastic drums for free i may do something like this...very nice!!
That was awesome!
Everything but the kitchen sink, even the vice grips. :)
This is a GREAT setup! Do you mind posting a list of required parts (estimated prices would be awesome)? I'm basically mimicking your design, but I'm using an 80w solar panel (Mid-Atlantic region, not as much sun until Spring/Summer).. Are you using any sort of battery/charge controller? Also, where'd you get the cool digital battery voltage indicator? Thanks again for the great videos and inspiration! One step closer to going "off-grid!"
So does the gauge of the 12v wire matter since it's going all the way across your yard. I have our solar panels set up about 75 feet from my pump. Or does the gauge of wire only matter from the solar panel to the charge controller? Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question. Love your set up and am using it as a partial guide along with a few other videos for my set up. THANKS!
Thanx for all the feedback... I worked on the system over a course of a few weeks putting in a couple hours a day here and there...
That's just a weather proof cover over top a regular light switch.... This ones from Home Depot
How does the inlet balance out the water to both? Is there a pipe at the bottom that connects them together?
Nice pump setup!
Thanks for the comment there is in fact a hose at the bottom of the tanks that connect the two to balance them out the extra pipe on the top is just in case the first tank can't handle the volume it'll overflow and spill into the top of the other one
@@peeinginthewind sealing the top is quite tricky isn't it. I once had 5 inlets at the tops. I always lost some to leaks while grabbing slow rain trickles.
Great system but you really should have wrapped the plastic totes with 4 mill Black plastic to keep them from the sun and causing algae and over time the sun weakens plastic 😃😃
Yeah I’ve considered that but I like seeing the water level more importantly . one cap Full of bleach kills all the algae.. I just power wash them out halfway through the season..I even stand there like a nerd sometimes with my umbrella and watch them fill up lol ..
How do you keep the algae from growing in your big storage tanks?They receive some reflected sunlight through the opaque plastic.
I don't do anything .. I power wash them out 2 a season and that's enough. I enjoy seeing the level and think the system looks cool the way it is, so I don't bother covering them up!
Great video.. I'm in the process of finding a pump.. what type was yours.. was it direct garden hose connection ? Psi ? Gph ?
Yes the wire size is important too small of wire will become hot depending on the amperage... There should be a wire size chart online you google for your application... Thanx for watching :-)
Im in the middle of putting this set up together. is it possible to add a timer so the pump goes on automatically for a period of time. I want to set it up so it automatically waters my veggie garden if Im not home
hello ! Could you tell me please where you buy black direct garden hose connection ?
Awesome set up! I'd love you copy yours, where did you get the 330 gal tank?
Total cost? Any pre/post comparisons on water/electric bills?
don't think it makes economical sense, maybe environmental though.
it's more for emergency preparedness...for my use anyway.
System like this you’d have to be running for a while to make any costs back. You’d also have to be pretty frugal to piece a system like this together for economic purposes. His system looks more like ease of use than anything else.
whats the name brand of the pump?
If your using for household use paint your IBC tanks
Nope I like seeing the water level and think the system looks cool the way it is … not concerned about Algee.. I just power wash them out twice a year
Where did you purchase all the solar gadgets and what are some of the specifications of them? and solar is a good way to go too, I like the set up... Well done !.
what parts are you wanting to know about ... mostly craigslist
Excelente
what brand of electric motor did you use that allows it to only trigger when you use the hose?
Curious how the pump knows to shut off when you let go of the trigger! I want to set mine up to run an intermittent mist system, only kicking on when my timer opens the valve. I have a DIG six station timer. Any insight you could lend me?
it has a built in pressure switch ... look for an old rv pump
Perfect thanks!
Where did you get that pump switch? Did it come with the pump or did you have to purchase it separately?
I made it up from parts at home depot
What kind of switch is that and where did you get it? The only switches I can find are light switches
Great. Thanks.
how much HP is your pump? I am in the process of doing a similar set up.
Dope AF
That is bad ass
nice information. where can I get this pump ?
ebay
Where you buy the solar pump
What part of the country do you live in? I've never heard a gutter called whatever it was you call them.
Canadian ehh!!!
Awesome setup. Thanks for sharing! Are you saying “eaves trough?” I’ve never heard that either. I like it! I shall now confuse my fellow Okies lol.
very cool, i'm jealous
How many gallons or liters per minute or hour, is that pump rated for?
4 gallons a minute
Can you tell me the pump information?
There should be another video on the pump ... the labels all wore off the pump now
can you post a link to where you got your 330 gallon tanks and the pump you used
Bought the tanks used online, not from a retailer...
Just search your local classifieds for 330gallon tote,
As for the pump, chk out my other vids I have one about the pump showing the model psi and gallons per minute ect... Hope that helps !
challenger70002 this is 2 years later, but I stumbled on someone with a bunch of these. I got 3 last week @ $50/each. He gets them from a potato chip factory. They are sitting in my driveway as I figure this out. This video is great! I got a few helpful ideas. Thank you
what pump is that and what solar set up is it? thanks
I have videos posted for both ... chk the deep cycle battery one for the solar setup
The kind with shingles ?
bigger solar panel 👍
what kind of roof do you have?
What pump u have I want one its stop when u don't use it
On demand pump
that pump is quiet
name of pump
How much money do you save per year in water costs?
A decent amount i wash my car a lot and water my lawns garden every second day .. not to mention the fish pond takes a lot.. can't put a dollar value on it sorry .. I do get a 45 percent discount on my sewage charge tho so a wopping 8 bucks there lol
@@peeinginthewind How did you get a sewage charge discount? Is that cause of the rainwater totes?
Any concern with having all that weight against the foundation, do you have a basement? Wondering what the mac weight one can put against a foundation.
Just contact your local municipality you get a discount based on how many litres you have from 0 to 45% maximum discount..never has a foundation problem.. yes I have a basement.. I suggest you put a few inches of pea gravel down and even set you tank down on longer railway ties ti spread the weight .. good luck
Which pump is that, is it on Amazon?
pumps many years old now mr.... just pick one with a pressure switch with the psi and gpm you want and your all set !!
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the rubber bushings for the outlet of the tanks? I haven't been able to find anything to go from the 2" opening to a standard hose adapter without using 3 different adapters
thefilthelement chk Any big box store ! I got mine from Home Depot... and mine does consist of 3 pieces
Someone needs to put Covers over their Totes so as Not to turn the Water Black with Algae
nope I enjoy the way it loooks ... I take the time to clean them when they turn..😁
don't you get algae in the tanks?
I do yes ... I could paint the tanks to prevent to uv light from getting at it but I like seeing the water level .. so I just power wash them out half way thru the summer then again in the fall
You could put a piece of paint masking tape verticle on the tank before spray painting a black or dark color , then remove the tape when done, thus providing you the ability to see the water level through the previously taped area and preventing most of the sunlight from entering the tank. Be aware that it will take a lot of spray paint to completed the job. I have heard of people using black plastic sheets to wrap the tank . I would expect that after several years the black plastic sheets will need replacing, but it should help save the plastic tanks themselves.
I like that idea.
like
Your wye is backwards
Looks like at least 2 are backwards..
that's stupid....
only because i didnt think of it first :P
Lol alright . Well no charge for the Info this time