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Up | | A Portable Water Pump
When we are camping, lifting a 5 gallon (25 litre) water carrier
is a lot of effort every time you need some water. So a few years back, I built
the first prototype of a portable water pump.
This uses a standard 12V "caravan" pump, available from most camping
shops or online stores like Towsure
This is a photo of the completed pump:
It would normally be clipped to a table with the pump itself
inside a 5 gallon Aquaroll water carrier (or similar). Operation is simple; push
the black button on the die-cast box, and water comes out (pretty quickly). The
water stays in the single length of plastic tubing so it is all reasonably
hygenic. The pump takes between 2.5A and 3A, but as it's not running that often,
battery usage is minimal.
Parts used:
 |
Water Pump
Whale 881 or similar: http://www.towsure.com/product/2609-Whale_Submersible_881
though cheaper pumps are available. |
| 1.5m of 10mm clear tubing
Our local camping shop used to sell this, but there are many sellers of this
on Ebay |
|
Spiral Wrap
This is a standard electrical product, I used 15mm wrap, order code CBBR0911 from CPC
though note that this is a 10m length! |
| Switch Box
The die-cast box I used is 55mm x 60mm x 25mm; order code EN81815 from CPC |
|
Clamp
This was found in my junk box. I've not found anything similar on sale these
days, though order code ST01298 from CPC
will work. |
|
Switch
The biggest problem I've had with this is finding a suitably reliable
switch. In the end, I used a "Horn Button", order code CP03043 from CPC
- so far, this has lasted well, and is big & solid enough to survive
outdoor use. |
| Pipe Support
This is a length of thin 10mm wide aluminium that I found in my junk box. |
|
Wire
In the photo shown, this is 5A mains cable. The second model uses 13A
"figure-of-eight" cable, which is probably more appropriate. |
The pipe is fixed to the pipe support using electrical tape. I
tried heat-shrink tubing but it didn't like the sharp bends.
The various bits are just bolted to the die-cast box, and rubber
grommets are used for the cable entry points.
I sealed the box with some clear bathroom sealant - this should help with long
term corrosion.
Update January 11:
I needed to build yet another pump, this time for our local
Scouts, and varied things slightly:
 
This version uses standard 15mm copper pipe (sleeved with the
plastic pipe), soldered to a wall connector.
This provides a much better mounting, at the expense of some flexibility in the
water delivery.
Parts used:
| Water Pump
Whale GP1002 or similar, though not this model doesn't have a filter on it.
There are many sellers of this on Ebay. |
| 1.5m of 10mm (internal diameter) clear tubing.
There are many sellers of this
on Ebay |
|
Spiral Wrap
This is a standard electrical product, I used 15mm wrap, order code CBBR0911 from CPC
though note that this is a 10m length! |
| Switch Box
The die-cast box I used is 55mm x 60mm x 25mm; order code EN81815 from CPC |
| Switch
This is a "Horn Button", order code CP03043 from CPC |
|
Clamp
This is a modified "Microphone Clamp", order code ST01298 from CPC. |
| Magnet
I put a strong magnet in the die cast box; this holds the switch to the
clamp, still allowing the pump to be moved to fill large containers.
Alternatively, the die cast box can be bolted to the clamp. |
| Delivery Pipe
This is a length of 15mm copper pipe soldered to a brass 15mm "Wall
Connector", order code 6047 from BES,
though most plumbing shops will have something similar. Note that the
plastic pipe is a tight fit in the copper pipe around the bend. Either put
it in first, or use appropriate lubricant. |
| Wire
This is 5A round two core mains cable connected to a 12V "Cigar"
plug.
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good faith in order to help others, no responsibility for this
information is assumed and all liability in respect of such information is disclaimed.
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