Well Pumphouse Progress at the 2024 PTJ

As part of the 2024 Permaculture Technology Jamboree, we attended to a number of completion tasks, issues and optimizations required to make this well pump provide reliable, 4-season water to all Lab frost-free hydrant locations.  

We:
- finished installing the umbrella for optimum soil insulation r-value and thermal mass
- designed and began fabrication of a thermal "drop ceiling" of dual-layer plastic, to lower the heat roof to about 18 inches below soil level
- installed 2 large rocks (about 700 lbs, combined) into the structure for thermal mass
- designed and ordered parts for a DC incandescent lightbulb/thermostat to run, warming the squishy bits and the boulders whenever the temperature drops below 42°F.
- Earthscaped the utility trench to shed water away from the uphill part of the structure, around each side and toward the adjacent catchment area.
- Trouble-shot the solar system and pump gear, start to finish
   - removed 1 out of 5 solar panels to avoid overloading the control module
   - attempting to reset module, which seems to have persisting issues that do not necessarily hinder its function
   - evaluated a non-functional pump, which seems to have exceeded its continuous run-time and is not currently pumping

Still to do:
- install DC thermostat & lightbulb, upon arrival (imperative prior to winter)
- source a replacement pump that will support longer running time to meet the demands of lab water usage (imperative, urgent)
- finish construction of thermal drop ceiling (high priority prior to winter)
- source a backup solar control module for when the current, partially fried unit eventually goes down (high priority, unknown urgency)
- landscape and prettify (as able)

Special thanks to everyone who helped out on this project, particularly PTJ attendees Mike & Jason, as well as Stephen, Brian, and Clay for counsel and support.  

Pictures follow.  Screenshots to come.

I'm told the DC thermostat arrived at Wheaton Labs!  It "looks like a digital clock with wires hanging off."

Brian (if you can see this), as we discussed, could you wire that up to batter terminals of the controler and rig up a nice sturdy incandescant fixture and bulb to shine on the boulders?  Bonus points for pictures.

Later I'll carve out a moment to describe the thermal drop ceiling bit, but one step at a time.

We haven't installed it just yet, but we might get Clay back to install it just for the love of it

Man, that would be fun.  

Yeah, I expect this one wouldn't happen until after the SKIP event - unless someone's hankering for some sort of a solar oddball bb.