Water Pump Selection for Gold Trek and Backpack Highbankers — FAQ
Your water supply is a critical component of your highbanking setup and can make or break your productivity. Everyone has different soil composition, pack space, storage capacity, weight limits and budgets. Our goal is to offer prospectors the best value possible with the Gold Trek by designing a versatile and easy-to-adapt system.
Our Gold Trek Backpack Highbankers will operate very well with any pump that falls within the recommended specifications. The braided polymer forestry hoses and camlock fittings that we offer are NPT threaded and compatible with most gas pumps right off the shelf. Every Gold Trek Backpack Highbanker comes with a 45 degree angled PVC fitting with 1" male NPT threads for easy adapting to most water pumps and fittings on the market.
Electric vs. Gas-Powered Pumps for Backpack Highbanking – Comparison Table
| Feature | 12V Electric Bilge Pump | Gas-Powered Centrifugal Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | 12V Lithium (LiFePO4) | Gasoline |
| Recommended Flow Rate | 1500-2000 GPH | 1450-2600 GPH |
| Weight | ~2–3 lbs (plus battery) | 15-30 lbs (plus fuel and hoses) |
| Portability | Extremely portable; backpack-friendly | Requires more space; fuel and oil management restricts carrying orentation |
| Noise Level | Near silent | Loud engine noise |
| Startup | Instant, no priming | Manual pull-start and priming |
| Runtime | 2–4 hours on 20Ah battery (varies by flow & load) | 1–2 hours per tank |
| Setup Complexity | Simple; plug-and-play | Moderate; needs priming, hose clamps, fuel, etc. |
| Best Use Case | Backpacking, remote creeks, light material loads, limited storage | High-volume prospecting, dredge conversions, extended trips |
| Maintenance | Low (rinse and dry pump after use) | Medium (oil, fuel, filter, carburetor upkeep) |
| Water Lift (Head) | ~3-6 feet max head (weak vertical lift) | 60–90+ feet depending on pump curve |
| Pressure Control | Add flow restrictor/ball valve or voltage adjuster | Flow can overpower spray bars—use splitter/valve or reduce throttle |
| Cost (Est.) | ~$60-90 pump kit + ~$100–400 lithium battery | ~$200–600 for full pump unit and hoses |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What size water pump do I need?
Use a gas-powered or 12 V bilge pump rated at 1500 GPH or higher. That ensures your spray bars maintain enough water flow for effective sluicing and material fluidization.
2. Can I use a smaller pump (e.g. 1,100 GPH)?
Not recommended. Pumps under 1500 GPH often underperform, particularly with clay or unclassified gravel. Try to reach 2,000 GPH minimum for reliable results and versatility.
3. Is there such a thing as “too much” pump?
A 3,000+ GPH pump can overpower your spray bar and waste battery power. If you go high-output, add a ball valve, flow controller or voltage adjuster to moderate water flow and avoid fine gold losses.
4. What type and voltage of pump should I use?
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Voltage: 12 V—portable and compatible with standard batteries
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Type: Submersible bilge pump
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Outlet size: Match the pump to 1", 1 ⅛″ or 1 ¼″ hose fittings
5. How much hose can I use?
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Bilge pumps: Maximum functional lift of 1 meter or 3 feet and up to 12 feet of hose length for 2000gph pumps. Larger pumps can offer additional lift or length at the cost of weight and battery power
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Gas pumps: Maxium lift of 60-90 feet and up to 300 feet of hose length depending on pump pressure curve
6. Which battery works best?
A 12 V Lithium (LiFePO4) Marine Battery (20 Ah or higher) is ideal. Expect 3–4 hours of continuous use with a 2,000 GPH pump, depending on battery type and pump efficiency. Lead acid or AGM batteries are not recommended because of their excessive weight and voltage loss as they discharge
7. Do I need a foot valve or filter?
Yes. Use an intake screen to prevent clogs. It protects the pump, maintains consistent water flow and reduces down time.
8. Can I run the pump dry?
Never. Bilge pumps must be submerged. Running them dry risks motor burnout. Always prime the pump in water and keep it fully submerged while operating. If your bilge pump shuts off suddenly during use, it suggests that there is not enough water flow and the pump heat protection switch has been triggered
9. Do you recommend any pump brands?
We offer a 1500gph and a 2000gph bilge kit upgrade options using Seaflo pumps with all our highbankers: Alternate brands include:
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Rule, Shoreline Marine or Johnson
Just ensure the pump is 12 V, submersible, and aim for 2,000 GPH+. - Honda WX10 or WX15 gas-powered models. There are many different brands of gas-powered pumps available on the market and they are all suitable for our highbankers. Weight, budget and reliability must be considered.
What You Can Do Next
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Add Ball Valve: Helps adjust flow if using pumps >2,000 GPH
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Add voltage adjuster: Helps tune water flow and conserve battery power
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Intake Screen: Add a sock style or stainless steel mesh filter to pretect your intake from debris
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Match Battery Specs: Ensure you have a quality 12 V battery. Avoid lead acid and AGM if budget allows