Random plumbing pics

[Zanne]

Does the small copper tube go to the ice maker ?

Yes.
Not sure how, but my friend said he got the water working. I think he started to take stuff apart and it dislodged whatever was clogging the shutoff. He ran the water into a wastebin until it was clear before hooking it up to the fridge. He said he eventually wants to replace the shutoff since it is corroding. Do they make copper fittings like that? Or something with dielectric properties to prevent corrosion from different metals touching?

 

[Zanne]

Was finally able to make it out to the pump house and thought this was the problem.

But nooo. I couldn't be that lucky. THIS was the problem.

Just bought that in March 2024. Don't think that is under any warranty though. Need to figure out a better system to insulate the pump. Maybe find a way to get some sort of solar powered heater or something.
I'm up for suggestions. Didn't help that the stupid float switch didn't trigger the other pump to fill the cistern so the jet pump was trying to pump air.

 

[havasu]

Was finally able to make it out to the pump house and thought this was the problem.
View attachment 47809
But nooo. I couldn't be that lucky. THIS was the problem.
View attachment 47810
Just bought that in March 2024. Don't think that is under any warranty though. Need to figure out a better system to insulate the pump. Maybe find a way to get some sort of solar powered heater or something.
I'm up for suggestions. Didn't help that the stupid float switch didn't trigger the other pump to fill the cistern so the jet pump was trying to pump air.

It froze?

 

[Twowaxhack]

You should invest in some heat tape and some heat lamps. Insulate the pump house. You can buy a simple radio signal temperature monitor at Walmart to check on it.

I have a temp monitor system by “ Accurite” that has 6 sensors and you download an app to monitor temp/humidity and you can set limits and get email messages if the temp drops or rises above those alarm set points.

Put one in your refrigerator, pump house, freezer, etc. set the parameters and it’ll send you the email alerts of things go wrong.

 

[Zanne]

I don't know if it froze so much as the stupid float switch failed to trigger to re-fill the cistern and the jet pump was trying to pump air, which made it get hot. And it got hot while the temperature in the pump house was super cold so I think the difference in temperature caused it to crack.

My friend suggested temporarily patching the pump with JB Weld Water Weld (safe for potable water) and clamping it to see if that would get it to work until we get a new pump. I saw some putty epoxy I could put on. Don't know if that would work or not.

do you guys think its worth a try?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/J-B-Weld-Water-Weld-Automotive-Epoxy-Putty-2-oz/16627432

I need to get some electrical outlets installed out there. Need to figure out a heater there too. Even if I had solar panel ones that have a thermostat to kick on only when its needed. And I need to tarp over the doorway and the busted corner of the pump house. Really need some kind of insulation. Wonder if I can toss one of those thermal blankets over the pump and then wrap the pipes. Need to see if hardware store has any pipe wrap. Even if I have to gerry-rig two of the 3/4" ones together to fit over the larger pipes it might help.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

My friend suggested temporarily patching the pump with JB Weld Water Weld (safe for potable water) and clamping it to see if that would get it to work until we get a new pump. I saw some putty epoxy I could put on. Don't know if that would work or not.

do you guys think its worth a try?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/J-B-Weld-Water-Weld-Automotive-Epoxy-Putty-2-oz/16627432

Other than the fact that the pump housing is cracked, does the pump run? If it does it might be worth a try but I wouldn't keep my hopes up high. With the temps so low, I wouldn't try any two-part epoxy because it may never set. The JB weld I am not sure at what temperatures they recommend.

Good luck on getting your system back up and operational!

 

[Zanne]

The pump tries to turn on but I don't know if it could build up enough pressure to pump with the breach. It is definitely toast. It got up to 51 today so I'm hoping tomorrow will be a little warmer. The instructions for the JB Weld said to twist it and knead it in my hands until the color is consistent and then apply it. So I can warm it up a little with my hands.

I want to wrap the front of the shed with some tarps and slap on an airtight waterproof tarp zipper specifically for doorways. I will use gorilla tape to reinforce the self-adhesive zipper. I'm hoping if I can keep the cold out and warmer air in that it will not get so bad. Longer term I need to figure out how to stop the jet pump from trying to run if the cistern is too low.