The nice thing about an automatic unit, is that if it happens at home, when we aren't there, it'll kick in and things will be OK. But, money wise, that's a ways off, hehe. For now, I'll have to go with the cheaper solution (that still isn't cheap)....$600 is still a hefty chunk of change to me. Not undoable though...but thousands is currently.
I think the solution for the well will eventually be doing my own solar conversion. I've got some research to do on it, but cost vs. benefit, it seems so far to be the best option. Though I also want to get one of those Amish well buckets that can be used if it really all goes to crap, too. (about $80 for those)
At least I got to field test the CURRENT water solutions for a storm though. The goal was to ensure we had enough water on hand, for all of the animals, the humans, bathing, washing, etc. prior to the storm hitting, and enough to last for at least two weeks. (I figure by then, in a non-SHTF situation, we'd at least be able to go BUY water after that...) (otherwise, I'm making a PVC well bucket, lol).
Glad to report that I think I calculated pretty well for it. I believe we would have still been fine for another week plus a day or two. Moving one of the larger troughs to the stable and filling that, was a perfect, low-tech, and free solution. The security of still having a 55 gallon drum of water after that, and another full trough (for turnout), with a third ready to use, was nice. (and that's for just the outside animals).
Inside, we had lots of bottled water (both bought, and just filled jugs), still lots of our regular drinks (soda, etc.), a filled tub and filled sinks (for flushing/washing), as well as another drum of water. We hardly even touched the bottled water, and never had to tap the drum. They make a cool bladder (about $30) that fits your tub, that allows it to store potable water too, so that's something else to be added soon. (beprepared.com I believe is the site).