Come watch us install another solar pump system in Oklahoma City today in the 40 mph winds!!!!!

[@papaburf7275]

Love the way your wife is in sync with all the elements of the job. Thanks for sharing.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man thank you!!! We have been training each other for a long time!!!!!!!😀

[@SharonShorney]

So tense fighting that wind. Love seeing you both smiling after all that stress!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yes ma’am! It has its moments for sure sometimes but we always get over it before the ride home.😀

[@StephenMaxwell-uz7rk]

Another great job Shane and lori

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you Sir!!!! Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@jD-qk4fu]

You have a crane sling the panel with strap would help hold it in place. Just a thought

[@OkieWindmiller]

Well we thought about it, it was too late. 1/2 of us was already in a bad mood, but we are the type of people to not stop and change how we’re doing it, but to push harder till we get it. Hard headed I think is what they call it. Please subscribe if you like our channel, it really helps us! Thank you for watching!

[@warrenbainter2227]

It's an absolute pleasure to see the two of you working together. A great team! After hearing about solar wells for years, it's fun to actually see how they are installed (properly). I would have bailed out and put the panel up the next day early before the wind came up--you have no quit in you.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Haha well thank you!!! We hate leaving a job unfinished, and you’re correct, sometimes we don’t know when to stop!!! Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!!!

[@George-xm6di]

They’re creepy, ookie, spookie, The Adams Family. Rock on! Nice install, nice output 🙂

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha that’s the song!!!! Thank you! We like the solars for sure!

[@davesdrone3125]

Recommend using the lifting strap with your crane to install the solar panel, especially in wind like this. Let the crane hold the weight, you control placement. You have it, may as well use it! :)

[@OkieWindmiller]

Usually they aren’t like this, then once we get mad at it not working, we aren’t wired to change our ways, just struggle and power thru it. Crazy I know. Thank yin for watching!

[@billcar741]

Spent many weeks in Oklahoma for training at the Postal center in Norman and the FAA Academy at airport. 1995 to 2023. I just retired in March of 2024 with 35 years of Federal service. Always enjoyed coming down to Oklahoma. Puddin sent me over to your channel. Love the videos.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man awesome! Oklahoma is a great place(especially Pott County)! Thank you for watching and subscribing!!

[@ernestrhoades5147]

Nice job, former Oakie Ponka City ,last time i was there i got chased all the way to Witchta by Tornado's ! i do not miss that feature of OK.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha that’s the only bad part, well except for the fiddlebacks and black widows, and sand burrs, haha I could go on and on, but we love it! Thank you for watching!

[@tommussington8330]

As an antique electrician pore a bottle of water on the ground rod spot and another one on rod when its half way in lubes the rod up and drives easier.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man thank you!!! Will do!!!! Thank you for watching and for commenting!!

[@mrclaus859]

You guys are so much fun watch. Thanks for posting

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

[@donaldross1077]

I am not sure if weather conditions could be any worst, unless there was rain and lightning. I was wondering how you did solar, now I know! I had to set some fence posts this spring and decided to use the dry concrete method. Pour dry into hole and add water. Move post around to somewhat mix and then level and wait. Fifteen minutes and it was set. Enjoyed. God Bless.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man thank you! Yes sir, some days are very taxing on us, especially Lori. We use the quick setting concrete so I can get things mounted faster, but I like that on my fence posts just like you do. Works great, and when you have to pull one for whatever reason, they’re always solid!!!! Thank you for watching and commenting!!!!!

[@edbelledin9600]

May I make a Suggestion? If you could, next time turn the mounting bracket on the standing pipe 90 degrees, so that it’s perpendicular to the wind. That way when you’re lifting the solar panel the wind will be blowing across it, not against it, and you’ll be fighting the wind affects much less. When you have the solar panel mounted to the bracket orient it as necessary, then Retighten the clamping bolts.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Awesome! Thank you for the suggestion! Makes since. 😀

[@LyleBrand]

That wind makes the job a bit more challenging buy all in a days work, got to take the bad with the good.

[@OkieWindmiller]

You got that right!!!! Still wouldn’t trade it for anything!!!!

[@markellars9245]

Shane that (tight) soil-clay is great for a well becacause it prevents leaching, to and from the well.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yep!!!! Not fun to dig in tho!!!!!!🤣

[@formerfarmer1718]

Lorie is absolutely 50% of your team!! 👍 Where’d you find her? Mechanics illustrated? 😎 (I’m kidding). 👍👍😎

[@OkieWindmiller]

I believe she is more like 75%. I’m the other 25 because I don’t mind climbing! She don’t leave the ground!!🤣

[@richardvirchow2757]

You must like the Addams Family T.V. show I remember that toon. So neet what you are doing! Sincerely! R.S.V.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you! Hahaha there are so many songs that randomly roll thru my head. It’s crazy! Thank you again!

[@parker1ray]

Your wife gives directions just like my wife LOL! Hence all of the gray hair! She will tell me to turn after I have passed my turn, or tell me that I have a turn coming up really soon when I actually have a mile before it comes up!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh man they would get along well then!!!!!! Yes she is 100% always keeping me “in line”!

[@harveystephens6115]

Loti, 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hehe thank you for liking it!!!!!

[@RodPeach]

Like how you do things.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Thank you so much!!!!!! Thank you for watching!!!!!!

[@HimanshuMehru]

Trying to install the 11 SQF -2 grundfos down a 200 foot well with 153 feet static here in Washington state. Can I use 12-2 wire instead of the 10-2 wire with a 4 panel setup? each panel is 355w in series I believe. I have been watching a few of your grundfos videos very closely. :) Thanks for making them.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Sweet man! I would stick with the 10-2 personally. There are calculators for that, but for me, anything I set over 100’ I go with #10 wire. Must stem from my regular submersible pump days. This was taught to me, and it’s never let me down yet. Good luck! PS, I really think the 12-2 wire would be just fine, not enough amperage to get things hot and minimal resistance……..but I would still do 10-2………….thank you for watching our videos, you will LOVE the 11SQF by the way!!!!!!!

[@garyavery2918]

An old electrician trickles water down the ground rod while stroking up and down with rod. I watched him put down a eight footer with one and the other tricking water out of a water bottle. Works with clay ground only, does not work with sand.

[@OkieWindmiller]

I totally need to do that! I have heard that before!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the idea!!

[@adamcoffee738]

Make your lives easier, attach the black post bracket to the solar panel frame. It will make installing the panel and frame to the post much, much easier trust me that's how I do it solo 👍

[@OkieWindmiller]

Sweet man thank you! We will try that!

[@okfarm7806]

I did kinda the opposite. Mounted the bracket and frames to the post first, set and attached the solar panel on top of frame, then tilted it down to finished angle.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Sweet! Yeah, this is the ONLY one we’ve ever struggled on, due to the wind and the camera. We normally knock this part out no problem, but there will always be those days…..😂

[@DanGates-h9m]

Check on Dewalt reconditioned rod driver

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oooooh I would love one of them!!

[@danielhepp541]

Really enjoy your windmill content. on your submersible installs i noticed no safety ropes. All my wellls have safety ropes, maybe depth related? one is >600 ft. another question are you using PVC directly into the pump? i know they are soft start but will they torque break? in the old pre soft start a lot of installers used torque arrestor rings When I had to hand pull that was a PITA do you have 2 rigs now the big 3 axle with the boom digger and the smaller crane truck for smaller jobs? Keep on growing to your sweet spot Lucky to havea family operation like you do. God Bless you guys

[@OkieWindmiller]

Howdy there! Thanks you for enjoying our content!!!!! So in our area, nobody uses ropes for solar or regular pumps. The main reason for me not using them is the soft start feature, but also have pulled pumps that the rope had not been tied well and it ends up locking the pump in the well bore if it falls. The action of the pump almost lets the rope settle into a solid ball that is tough to pull, especially on roll pipe. I have asked well drillers around me and they all agree, we don’t use them. We tape enough to hopefully be able to pull the pump if something breaks, but knock on wood, that’s never happened yet! Well we have 3, but one has never been on KZbin yet. It’s a 65’ sign crane that the digger has almost replaced. The main trucks we run is the small 550 with the Pulstar and the big ole digger. Thank you for the support and for watching us grow! I’m there luckiest windmilled that I know with the good help! Thank you again!!!!

[@danielhepp541]

@@OkieWindmiller Thanks for the reply i wasn't really sure what the reason was some were done that way. I guess you roll the dice, just always use the best practices and parts and hope for the best!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Pretty much!!!!😀. Thank you sir!! Have an awesome day!

[@daveh9755]

If the water level got all the way down to the switch, the pump would be exceeding the recovery rate of the well. What keeps the system from short cycling? Is there another “on” switch higher in the water column or some kind of controller logic to turn off the rest of the day if it short cycles too many times? Thanks for your vid’s, very interesting and informative.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Howdy sir! We always size the pump for less than the recovery rate. The pump has the only switch in the system. I’m sure you could do other switches, but these are simple systems, which is what’s wonderful about them. Also, the pump has a 5 minute timer. When the low water switch is triggered, pump turns off for 5 min. This is why it doesn’t short cycle. Thank you for liking our videos and for commenting!!!!!

[@harveystephens6115]

Can you fly solar panels with truck wench and drop on pipe bracket. Eliminate lifting especially in wind

[@OkieWindmiller]

Totally could, and have before. But wanted all hands on it. This is the only time we have ever fought the wind like this. Never fails!

[@myronmarcotte7072]

that seems kind of flimsy. what snow load will that take? what about lightning arrestor?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Good question. In Oklahoma there is no snow load. I didn’t design it tho, it’s a commercially available solar rack. As for the lightning arrestor, the company warranties these as long as they’re properly grounded to lightning damage. Has only happened once in my years of installing these, and it was a ln array on the highest point in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. It was asking for it. I’ve thought about installing them, but just never seen the need in the areas where we usually install these. Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@gkeyman565]

Were you hung up on the Adam's family theme song ? ;) have a great day

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha oh man, my brain is always throwing some song out, just never know which one it will be!!!!!🤣

[@richardvirchow2757]

What do with old windmill? Sincerely! R.S.V.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man the old ones still make water!!!!!!! Watering lots of livestock and filling lots of ponds! Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@christopherconrad4156]

I used to run knuckle boom and drywall cranes. Never saw a crane like that one before. Slick compact crane for what you use it for.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yep it’s on a Ford 550 chassis. It’s great for what we do! Just wish it would rotate…… Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@barrysanderson8479]

how much do you charge for a basic solar install like this?

[@OkieWindmiller]

Depends on depth, water level, water output needs, and where you are. Average is $4500 to $7500 range.

[@sethrussell5649]

Why did you junction the wires instead of running them up to the disconnect? Edit. Also, why didn’t you use your boom to lift the solar panel?😂

[@OkieWindmiller]

Good question, and it’s 100% personal preference. I like to be able to disconnect them close to the wellhead for service, so you don’t have to dismantle all the conduit. Just trying to make it easier for whoever works on it next. Thank you for watching. 😀 Oh well hind sight is always 2020 but we have never used the truck. This is the first one that kicked my butt with the wind, but nobody was in a good mood that day and sometimes trying to change gears halfway in only makes things worse, at least for us, lol. Sounds dumb I know, but………

[@sethrussell5649]

That makes sense. Thanks for the response.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Man you’re welcome!!!!!! Thank you again!!!!

[@jasondugas1002]

put you a 50 gal water tank somewhere on the truck

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh we’re planning on it!!!!!!!’ 😀

[@parker1ray]

We must be patient with our female spouses as they tend to be highly emotional, and become flustered when forced to make snap decisions LOL!

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahaha yep! I agree! I think she practices lots of patience with me too lol. We do have a lot of long quiet rides home if you know what I mean😀. Thank you for watching!!!!!!!

[@jameskotsch8271]

I know when I worked out in the wind, I felt beat up by the end of the day.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Oh man, yep, and there is nothing to stand behind to block the wind. 💨

[@SPUDHOME]

Next time practice inside the shop. No wind no hassle best to learn how, before tackling the problem with all the hassle.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Haha thank you for that. We have installed plenty, but sometimes the wind just doesn’t help.

[@tommypitcock6646]

Sometimes men forget that our hides are a little thicker .

[@OkieWindmiller]

Yes sir we do!!!!!!!

[@barryhenderson7390]

Like to see working people. Got to many people sitting on their ass with their mouth open waiting on mama bird

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahahahaha you got that right!!!! Thank you for the huge compliment!!!! Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@jameskotsch8271]

I f you were trying to test a windmill, you wouldn't be able to find any wind, LOL.

[@OkieWindmiller]

Hahah yep, that’s the typical way it goes!!!!

[@duotronic6451]

No brass or stainless check valve? The built in pump check valves fail. Ah, you put it half way up instead of on the pump. I would have had you pull the whole thing and do it over with the check valve at the bottom.

[@OkieWindmiller]

😂Man I’m glad you wasn’t the boss then! I have never had a Grundfos check fail, but we at least do one every 200 feet. And since these aren’t pressure systems, it doesn’t matter anyway. Thank you for watching and subscribing!!!

[@nick540g]

You are the worst kind of customer -- thinking you have all the answers because you have one data point that disagrees with the manufacturer's guidelines. I'm willing to bet that Shane has installed and repaired more check valves than you have and understands the situation just fine.

[@duotronic6451]

@@nick540g The same manufacturer who builds faulty check valves in their pump?

[@garyavery2918]

An old electrician trickles water down the ground rod while stroking up and down with rod. I watched him put down a eight footer with one and the other tricking water out of a water bottle. Works with clay ground only, does not work with sand.

[@OkieWindmiller]

I have heard that but never tried it, I totally need to!!!!!!!!!!!