Simple "Hurricane Pump" Provides Emergency Water

Simple "Hurricane Pump" Provides Emergency Water MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Pumps 30-5-27 Reed Franz has been working on his easy-to-make hand pumps for the past 15 years. He now has several different designs that draw up well water manually, when electricity is unavailable. The Seminole, Fla. man says his home made pumps are inexpensive and quick to make. One version, which he calls his "Hurricane Pump", is made from pvc pipe, two commercial valves, and various adapters, couplings, elbows and O-rings. It's ideal to have on hand for when the power goes out during a disaster, he points out. "This simple emergency pump costs no more than $25 to make, and uses materials that are easily obtained from any plumbing supply or hardware store," Franz explains. He says the pumps are environmentally friendly and can be used on shallow or deep wells. They're also easily operated by anyone, including children. They discharge water under pressure, so it can be pushed to a higher elevation than the pump. According to Franz, the length of pipe needed depends on the water level in the well. The Hurricane Pump incorporates two Brady check valves, which prevent back flow and loss of prime, while providing efficient flow. To use the Hurricane Pump, you disconnect the existing pipe that goes to your electric pump, and put the handmade pump's intake pipe down into the well until it's submerged in the water, according to Franz. Then you pump it by hand, using the handle to slide the smaller top section of pipe up and down, inside the larger bottom section of pipe. The height that you can raise the water to, depends on the muscle power of the operator. Franz is looking for someone who's willing to put together detailed plans and make them available to the public. "I don't hold any patent and am not concerned about making any money from this. I just want the pumps to help humanity in any way they can," he says. "I would like to see plans for this pump available to the public, but, being retired and elderly, I'm not anxious to do it myself. I'm hoping that someone will try it, think it's worthy, and make the drawings for sharing with others. Also, anyone who wants to finance mission groups to make the pumps for use in the Third World would be very welcome to do so." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Reed Franz, 9112 û 127 Lane N., Seminole, Fla. 33776 (ph 727 393-2356).

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