After considering the process of converting water pressure to a different liquid that would not freeze I decided to go with ethyl alcohol. Its inexpensive, freezes at and insanely low temperature and does not affect the butyl rubber that is the bladder in the pressure tank.
The tank was filled with alcohol and connected to the pressure switch. The air was left in the 1/4" I.D. line leading to the switch. When we applied power to the pump we could see the level of alcohol rising in the clear 1/4" tubing until the pressure reached 55# and the switch tripped. The system worked!
Fortunately we have a family with young men willing to work on things like this. Jon was able to climb into the well, reach down and disconnect the pump so that it could be fitted with the pressure tank and also re-connect the finished pump with the pressure tank attached.
It is great to have the system back and running.
Currently we are using two frost-free hydrants to water our animals and fill 4.5 gallon carry bottles for use in the home. We also ran the line from the pump past the two hydrants to a 450 gallon tank buried under the home and fitted with a float switch. From that storage tank we have a 12 volt RV style water pump to be installed that will pressurize the home plumbing.
My next challenge is how to get a 1/2" PEX line from the pump under the home into the home in a way that will not freeze. Simply insulating the PEX won't work as it can get to -20 degrees in the winter. We do not have sufficient power being on solar to use heat tape on the pipe. The distance from the tank into the home is 10'.
So my next project is ready to go...I just need to find a solution to use.
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