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Question:

Choosing a manual water pump?

I've searched the net but cannot find exactly what I'm looking for and hoping someone out there can steer me in the right direction! Maybe I'm not looking in the right place....or do I have to fabricate my own? I'm up for the challenge!1) Trying to source a water pump that I'm going to power by HAND or a BICYCLE. 2) My choice of pump to give a continuous stream of water (very important) is a rotary (centrifugal) type or is there something else capable of a continuous output?3) This will NOT BE USED for potable water. SPECS:a) lightweight but durable, the smaller, the better. b) low RPM, high volume output and capable of producing/handling pressure. c) self-primingd) able to handle some small particulates in the water as I am using rain water. (from outside, NOT filtered, so the following may be present: bugs, dust, etc...) Thank you, in advance, for your help and would be nice to thank the individual(s) for a unique answer to my request at a later date so let me know you're preferred method of contact!

Answer:

There are very small rotary water pumps designed to be driven with hand-held electric drills. These pumps may be purchased in some hardware stores or farm supply stores. One could be adapted to a bicycle- type drive. Small pumps have about a 50% efficiency so you would need to produce sustained muscle power applied at around 150-200 watts to achieve 75 -100 watts of effective hydraulics. Applied watts = (GPM) (PSI) / 1.277 million (eff.) Where eff. is as a decimal. Edit : A 3/8 drill will pull about 280 watts. I can do 200 watts on an exercise bike, but not for long. I am a 79 heart patient, so you can probably do better..
Those are widely used where hand or bicycle or animal power is common. It meets all your criteria except pressure. Depending on how much pressure you want/need a stand pipe or elevated tank might meet that requirement. If pressure is necessary, then go with a Double Acting Piston Pump and filter the suction. I recommend a Graded Sand Bed over the suction. I designed public water supply pumping stations drawing from rivers for years. Filtering the suction is no big deal.

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