Installing a Ram Pump-Pumping Water For Free

Pump Water Using Only Falling Water as the Power Source

I have built and will be installing this one inch ram pump as soon as I am up on the property and able to keep an eye on it. I have found this technology to be fascinating, and right down my alley as far as sustainability is concerned. I am excited to see how well it can preform.

How a Ram Pump Works

The hydraulic ram pump, which pumps water uphill using only the energy of falling water, was invented by John Whitehurst in 1772 as a way to pump water without the need of an external power source. Here is a youtube video that explains how it works.

A ram pump will basically pump water seven vertical feet for every foot of drop. This is also basically the same force that can cause a water hammer....only with a ram pump the 'water hammer' accomplishes something besides noise.

A ram pump consists of:

• Drive Pipe: Carries water from the source down to the pump.
• Waste Valve: A check valve that allows water to escape until the speed forces it shut.
• Delivery Valve: Opens to let pressurized water into the delivery pipe.
• Pressure Chamber: Stabilizes the pressure and ensures a steady flow of water to the outlet...basically the 'power' that drives the pump.

My Ram Pump Installation

I will be installing the ram pump I built at the bottom of a small waterfall near where I am building, in a seasonal creek. It is also a beautiful spot as you can see.

This particular install will have at least 15 foot of 'head'...and that is the distance the water falls. So since I have 15 foot of head, that means the ram pump should pump water about 15ft X 7 or 105 ft. straight up.

And pretty much an unlimited distance horizontally.

I plan to have it pump water to a pond I dug about 300 feet away, and only about 30 vertical feet. So this ram pump should deliver it's full flow of about 1.5 gals a minute, 90 gals an hour, 2160 gals a day, and if it runs the whole 3 months or so the creek runs in the spring...that would be a total of nearly 200,000 gals total. This...AI tells me would be a round pond about 73 feet across at 5 ft deep.

Permaculture in Action

This is permaculture in action...moving water up in the semi arid landscape of my off-grid property. Look at it this way, the higher the water is on a property, the longer it is usable, and helpful in watering the plants you have added. When adding more water to an environment like this you are creating a more thriving balance of nature, providing food, rich biodiversity, creating a sustainable and resilient ecosystem in the space.

By simply adding more water to the mix I am creating a landscape that will be not only productive, but regenerative, and nurturing for the environment. A haven for wildlife, and us.

Conclusion

This, like alot of my articles here will be pretty much ongoing, There will be more articles as I get my ram pump going, see how well it works, and share any issues and fixes along the way. I also have a few youtube channels associated with this website, and here are the links to them...My Permaculture Food Forest, and My Trail Cam Videos.

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