DIY well drilling / trench digging for GSHP - Page 17

marke · 08-30-12, 08:38 PM

i filled one with a tremmie pipe and the rest from the top. the grout pump that i tryed
did not work very good. i will make a piston pump to grout the rest of the holes that i need to dig

Geo NR Gee · 08-30-12, 09:00 PM

How did you know how many bags to order of the grout and how did you mix it? Right now I have access to a cement mixer. Not sure if that will do enough at one time or not? Its not like it sets up right away, does it?

marke · 08-30-12, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo NR Gee

How did you know how many bags to order of the grout and how did you mix it? Right now I have access to a cement mixer. Not sure if that will do enough at one time or not? Its not like it sets up right away, does it?

the grout that i got has the mix on the bag
and how manny gal it makes. take hole size and ft to get gal you need.
i tryed every thing to mix it and not much luck. i will make a mixer when
i make the pump for my next 12 holes. my grout did not set to fast so the
cement mixer should work.good luck.

marke · 08-31-12, 08:27 PM

here is the vid of the rig.

DIY Well Drilling Geo-Thermal - YouTube

Geo NR Gee · 09-02-12, 04:30 PM

Marke,
Looks like a well constructed portable drill. What did you make the water swivel out of? Any idea how much water you are sending down the pipe and are you using just fresh water or recirculating it?

marke · 09-02-12, 05:43 PM

the swivel is out of "2" pipe with cast ends. i turned the cast to fit the seals and bearings. cast is easy to turn. 2 of the holes i used fresh water
3 gal a min on one of them and 5 gal a min the other. i used a mud pump on the rest. it had a 3/4 id hose on it. do not know the gpm on the pump.
fresh water works in clay that is light. but the hole filled in fast when you turn off the flow. mud pump with some bentinite in the mix works the best if the cuttings are heavy or you have sand. and it keeps it from filling in to.

AC_Hacker · 10-11-12, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marke

the swivel is out of "2" pipe with cast ends...

Hey marke,

Haven't heard from you in a while... how is your project coming?

You certainly went after the most difficult part of a GSHP install with gusto!

You got the rest in?

Best,

-AC

marke · 10-12-12, 03:05 PM

got it all in and started to test it. looked like the loop is working good but the fan on diy heat pump broke so need to find one. thanks to all here for the help on it.

AC_Hacker · 10-12-12, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marke

got it all in and started to test it. looked like the loop is working good but the fan on diy heat pump broke so need to find one. thanks to all here for the help on it.

Thanks for the report back marke.

When you get it all working, please share photos of your completed system... it would be a big encouragement for others who are contemplating such an undertaking.

Best,

-AC_Hacker

DavesPlanet · 01-22-13, 12:34 PM

I've started a geo drilling rig, I am using 1" schedule 40 steel pipe and a 5HP 220V motor with 30:1 reduction gearing. Plans and construction pics online at
davesplanet.net/davesplanet/make-your-own-DIY-geothermal-drilling-rig
(apparently newbies are not allowed real links, enjoy the copy/paste)
The goal is a 3" hole 150' deep. Nothing to hit here in Iowa except that tough Iowa clay and the occasional rock. No licensed driller needed if the homeowner does the work themselves. I'll be loaning this drill out to family, friends, and church members this summer to take advantage of government incentives. Total cost to install a 4 ton Climatemaster 27 after all rebates (from the energy company) and tax credits is about $2k if you do the work yourself.
Dave

09-02-12, 05:43 PM	#166
marke Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: sd Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the swivel is out of "2" pipe with cast ends. i turned the cast to fit the seals and bearings. cast is easy to turn. 2 of the holes i used fresh water 3 gal a min on one of them and 5 gal a min the other. i used a mud pump on the rest. it had a 3/4 id hose on it. do not know the gpm on the pump. fresh water works in clay that is light. but the hole filled in fast when you turn off the flow. mud pump with some bentinite in the mix works the best if the cuttings are heavy or you have sand. and it keeps it from filling in to. Last edited by marke; 09-02-12 at 09:16 PM..

08-30-12, 08:38 PM	#161
marke Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: sd Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i filled one with a tremmie pipe and the rest from the top. the grout pump that i tryed did not work very good. i will make a piston pump to grout the rest of the holes that i need to dig

08-30-12, 09:00 PM	#162
Geo NR Gee Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 326 Thanks: 109 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	How did you know how many bags to order of the grout and how did you mix it? Right now I have access to a cement mixer. Not sure if that will do enough at one time or not? Its not like it sets up right away, does it?

09-02-12, 04:30 PM	#165
Geo NR Gee Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 326 Thanks: 109 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	Marke, Looks like a well constructed portable drill. What did you make the water swivel out of? Any idea how much water you are sending down the pipe and are you using just fresh water or recirculating it?

10-12-12, 03:05 PM	#168
marke Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: sd Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	got it all in and started to test it. looked like the loop is working good but the fan on diy heat pump broke so need to find one. thanks to all here for the help on it.

01-22-13, 12:34 PM	#170
DavesPlanet Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Madrid, IA Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've started a geo drilling rig, I am using 1" schedule 40 steel pipe and a 5HP 220V motor with 30:1 reduction gearing. Plans and construction pics online at davesplanet.net/davesplanet/make-your-own-DIY-geothermal-drilling-rig (apparently newbies are not allowed real links, enjoy the copy/paste) The goal is a 3" hole 150' deep. Nothing to hit here in Iowa except that tough Iowa clay and the occasional rock. No licensed driller needed if the homeowner does the work themselves. I'll be loaning this drill out to family, friends, and church members this summer to take advantage of government incentives. Total cost to install a 4 ton Climatemaster 27 after all rebates (from the energy company) and tax credits is about $2k if you do the work yourself. Dave