How To Build A Ram Pump

Summary

This video tutorial guides viewers through building a ram pump, ideal for use in flowing creeks or springs. It emphasizes the necessity of freely flowing water, particularly downhill, to power the pump. The presenter outlines the essential components, including a water supply, bucket, drive hose, ram pump kit, and delivery pipe. The video demonstrates assembling the pump with a focus on the air chamber, swing check valves, and proper use of Teflon tape. It also covers starting the pump, purging air, and adjusting for optimal water flow, concluding with a parts list and future availability of larger pumps.

Takeaways

• 💧 A ram pump is best utilized in locations with flowing water, such as creeks or springs, especially on a steep slope.
• 📏 To operate a ram pump, a minimum of five feet of elevation drop is required to generate sufficient pressure.
• 🔧 The script outlines the necessary components for a ram pump setup, including a water supply, bucket, drive hose, ram pump kit, and delivery pipe.
• 🛠️ The ram pump kit contains critical parts like an air chamber with a cap and air bladder, swing check valves, on/off valves, plumber's tape, and pipe nipples.
• 👷‍♂️ Proper preparation of pipe nipples with Teflon tape is essential for preventing leaks.
• 🔄 The swing check valves are installed with the flapper in a specific orientation to allow water flow and prevent backflow.
• 💨 The air bladder in the buffer tank is inflated manually without the need for an air compressor or pump.
• 🏗️ The pressure tank is assembled using all-purpose cement with a primer, ensuring a secure seal.
• 🚰 The script demonstrates the initial startup process, including filling the drive pipe, purging air, and adjusting valves for optimal flow.
• 📈 The video provides a visual example of the water flow and the effectiveness of the ram pump, emphasizing the importance of the water flow rate.

Q & A

What is the ideal location to install a ram pump according to the video?

The ideal location is a flowing creek or a spring where water flows downhill, preferably on a relatively steep hill to get enough elevation change to drive the ram pump.

What is the minimum elevation drop required to drive a ram pump as mentioned in the video?

The video specifies that a minimum of about five feet of elevation drop is needed to drive a ram pump.

What is the purpose of the supply bucket in a ram pump setup?

The supply bucket collects water from the source and provides a point where water falls the required distance to create the necessary pressure to drive the ram pump.

What components are included in the ram pump kit sold by the presenter?

The ram pump kit includes parts for the air chamber, swing check valves, on/off valves, plumber's tape, and pipe nipples.

How should the swing check valves be oriented in the ram pump setup?

The swing check valves should be oriented with the flapper shutting when water flows up, and the arrow should point towards the delivery side.

What is the purpose of the air bladder in the ram pump system?

The air bladder serves as a buffer in the pressure tank, helping to maintain a consistent water flow and pressure within the system.

How is the air bladder inflated in the pressure tank?

The air bladder is inflated by pressing down on the tip of the schrader valve with a screwdriver and then inflating it by mouth, without the need for an air compressor or pump.

What is the purpose of the bulkhead fitting in the supply bucket?

The bulkhead fitting in the supply bucket allows for the connection of the drive pipe to the bucket, ensuring a sealed connection for the water flow into the ram pump.

How does the presenter ensure that the ram pump is ready for startup?

The presenter ensures the ram pump is ready for startup by filling the drive pipe with water, purging all air from the line, and pre-filling the delivery pipe with water using the static water pressure.

What is the significance of the slope in the setup shown in the video?

The slope shown in the video is important as it demonstrates the necessary incline for the water flow to effectively drive the ram pump, with the presenter recommending a similar slope for optimal performance.

What are the future plans mentioned by the presenter regarding the ram pump?

The presenter plans to have different sizes of ram pumps available in the future, including larger pumps, and hopes to have an Amazon listing for the product soon.

Outlines

00:00

💧 Introduction to Building a Ram Pump

This paragraph introduces the concept of building a ram pump, which is best utilized in a flowing creek or spring with water naturally flowing downhill. The presenter explains the necessity of a steep hill to achieve the required elevation change for the pump to function. The setup requires a water supply, a bucket, a drive hose, a ram pump kit, and a delivery pipe. The kit includes an air chamber with a cap and air bladder, swing check valves, on/off valves, plumber's tape, and pipe nipples. The presenter demonstrates how to prepare the pipe nipples with Teflon tape and assembles the pump components, including the inlet valve, T connections, swing check valves, and the pressure tank. The pressure tank is assembled using PVC cement, and the air bladder is inflated without the need for external tools, showcasing a self-sufficient setup process.

05:01

🔧 Assembly and Testing of the Ram Pump

The second paragraph details the assembly of the ram pump, starting with attaching the buffer tank to the pump and installing a male garden hose thread adapter. The presenter also mentions the use of a union for easy separation of the pump for service. The supply bucket is prepared with a bulkhead fitting, ensuring that the setup is done over a box to prevent contamination. The first startup involves filling the drive pipe with water from a tank, allowing air to escape, and then adjusting the valves for optimal flow. The presenter tests the pump using a 30 feet half-inch drive pipe with threaded fittings for easy adjustments. The water flow is visually inspected for effectiveness, and the presenter notes the importance of having a sufficient water flow. The video concludes with a reminder of the parts list for building the pump, available links for purchasing components, and a tease for future videos featuring larger pump sizes and an Amazon listing.

Keywords

💡Ram Pump

A ram pump is a hydraulic machine that uses the kinetic energy of flowing water to pump water to a higher elevation without an external power source. In the video, the ram pump is the central theme, as the host demonstrates how to build one using a flowing water source, typically found in creeks or springs. The ram pump is assembled with various components like a supply pipe, drive hose, and an air chamber, and it operates on the principle of water pressure to move water uphill.

💡Elevation Change

Elevation change refers to the difference in height between two points, which is crucial for the operation of a ram pump. The video emphasizes the need for a water source that flows downhill with a significant drop to provide the necessary pressure to drive the pump. The host mentions needing about five feet of elevation drop to make the ram pump work effectively.

💡Swing Check Valve

A swing check valve is a type of valve used in fluid systems to prevent backflow. In the context of the video, these valves are integral to the ram pump's operation, ensuring that water flows in one direction and does not backflow, which could disrupt the pump's efficiency. The host demonstrates how to correctly orient the swing check valves with the arrow pointing towards the delivery side.

💡Air Chamber

The air chamber is a part of the ram pump system that helps to regulate the flow of water and air within the pump. It contains an air bladder that acts as a cushion to absorb pressure fluctuations. The video script describes the assembly of the air chamber, including the use of a cap, an air bladder, and Teflon tape to ensure proper sealing.

💡Teflon Tape

Teflon tape is a thread sealant used in plumbing to prevent leaks. In the video, the host applies Teflon tape to the threads of pipe nipples and other connections to ensure a watertight seal. This is a critical step in the assembly of the ram pump to prevent water from leaking and to maintain the pump's efficiency.

💡Pressure Tank

A pressure tank is a storage vessel used to store water at a certain pressure. In the video, the host assembles a pressure tank using PVC pieces and all-purpose cement with primer. The tank is connected to the ram pump and serves to store water that has been pumped to a higher elevation, ensuring a continuous supply of water.

💡Buffer Tank

A buffer tank is used to stabilize the water flow and pressure within a system. In the video, the host stuffs an air bladder into the buffer tank, which is then installed onto the pump. The buffer tank helps to smooth out pressure spikes and maintain a consistent flow, which is essential for the proper functioning of the ram pump.

💡Drive Pipe

The drive pipe is the conduit through which water flows to power the ram pump. The video describes how the host uses a 30 feet of half-inch drive pipe to connect the supply bucket to the ram pump. The drive pipe must be filled with water to initiate the pumping action, and its length and diameter can affect the pump's performance.

💡Supply Bucket

The supply bucket is a container that collects water from the source and feeds it into the ram pump system. In the video, the host prepares a supply bucket by installing a bulkhead fitting, which allows the water to enter the drive pipe. The bucket's position and the water flow into it are critical for the pump to function correctly.

💡Purge Air

Purging air refers to the process of removing air from the water lines to ensure smooth water flow and prevent air locks. The video script describes how the host purges air from the drive pipe by opening the valve and allowing the water to fill the line. This step is essential for the initial startup of the ram pump to ensure efficient operation.

Highlights

A ram pump is best used in a flowing creek or spring with water flowing downhill.

Water supply should ideally flow down a steep hill for sufficient elevation change.

Freely flowing water is necessary for the ram pump to function.

The ram pump setup includes a water supply, bucket, drive hose, ram pump kit, and delivery pipe.

The ram pump kit contains an air chamber, swing check valves, on/off valves, plumber's tape, and pipe nipples.

Proper preparation of pipe nipples with Teflon tape is crucial.

The swing check valve is key, with a flapper that shuts when water flows up.

The pressure tank requires assembly with PVC cement and primer.

The air bladder in the buffer tank is inflated manually without an air compressor.

The buffer tank is installed onto the pump by screwing it in.

An outlet male garden hose thread adapter is installed for easy water delivery.

The supply bucket is prepared with a bulkhead fitting for water intake.

The drive pipe should be filled with water to purge air before starting the pump.

The pump's performance can be visually assessed by the height of the water flow.

The ram pump can be purged by allowing the valve to stay open to expel air.

The video provides a parts list and links for building the ram pump, including future plans for larger sizes.

The presenter plans to have an Amazon listing for the ram pump kit in the future.

Transcripts

[Applause]

welcome this is a video on how to build

a ram pump the sites that it can best be

used in

is a flowing creek

or spring water flowing downhill ideally

your supply of water would be flowing

down a relatively steep hill

so you don't have to pipe your water as

far to get enough elevation change to

drive a ramp in this case

to get about five feet of elevation drop

to drive a ramp

i'd have to run a collection pipe from

up there to bucket about 25 feet from

the pump so the supply of water would be

falling five feet over about 25 feet of

distance so just to be clear you do need

freely flowing water

to make this work very quickly this is

everything that you need for a ram pump

setup the most critical being a supply

of water now this is a trickle coming

out of the spring that i have right now

you would need more water than that to

run a ram pump so we have the water

supply that will go into bucket which

will go into the drive hose which will

go into the ram pump kit which will then

go through the delivery pipe to where

you want the water now this is a kit

that i sell but you can obtain all of

the components yourself too in here we

have parts for the air chamber this is a

cap and an air bladder

here's the other parts for the air

chamber

and

of course

they're not all packaged the same they

might come differently

these are swing check valves and some on

off valves a little bit of plumber's

tape and here's your air chamber inside

it

our two

t's

and then

some pipe nipples the first thing you

want to do is prep all of your pipe

nipples with some teflon tape included

in the kit so the proper way to do that

hold it so it's going away from you like

that

hold it with your thumb

and go around just like that five times

all right that's one ready to go i'm

gonna do the other five the first step

will be the inlet valve

which then goes to a t

for the most part these can just be

screwed together by hand you may need a

wrench to get it the last little bit

there we go

one more pipe nipple now the key to this

is the swing check valve which has a

flapper inside it

and we want to attach it

in this manner so that when water flows

up the flapper shuts

so the air on this will point down

again just finish it up with a wrench

[Music]

and another nipple and the other swing

check valve oriented with the arrow

pointing towards the delivery side

and another nipple

and the other tee

another nipple

and the final valve

and another nipple here

and that's where the pressure tank will

screw on so now we have to assemble that

to assemble the pressure tank you will

need cement i recommend the all-purpose

cement with primer

i'm primering all pieces

so i only have to

do this step once

[Music]

now assemble the pvc pieces

i'm going to put it on

and rotate if you can wow that's really

stuck on there good

so the further that rotated

now we need to stuff the air bladder

into the

buffer tank

just kind of folding it in half

and shoving it in

make sure that the valve stem

stays

out at the top you don't need an air

compressor or a pump or anything to

inflate this you have to take a

screwdriver and press down on the tip of

the schrader valve stick it in your

mouth and inflate it

so there it is inflated ready to go

now replace the schrader valve cap i'm

just gonna

tuck that in some and then apply

teflon tape to the threads

and then screw the cap on

a large set of channel locks helps with

this step

and now we can install

the buffer tank

onto the pump just by screwing it in

and so that's how the pump comes from my

kit i'm also going to install an outlet

male garden hose thread adapter on the

outlet of course i have to put teflon

tape on these and then also i have this

inlet for half inch pvc

and a union

this is not included in my kit you can

get these pretty much anywhere and this

will allow easy separation of the ram

pump for service if it's needed next up

i need to prepare the supply bucket for

a bulkhead fitting of course doing it

over a box so that i don't get anything

in the grout

[Music]

and here it is all assembled

okay here's the first startup i have the

valve down at the bottom

closed

this is spring water from a tank that i

have so first we're going to fill up the

drive pipe and let it finish bubbling

out the air

okay all the air is out i'm gonna put

this back in with a trickle

just to keep some water in there i do

expect once we get it running that i'll

have to open those up more so from the

bucket

it goes through 30 feet of half inch

drive pipe

you can use a normal coupler but in my

case i've used

threaded fittings because i'll be using

this setup to

test various lengths of drive pipe so i

need to disassemble it and

add pieces as needed

and back down here at the pump

we do have a supply of water ready to go

first thing i'll do is open up the

delivery because we want to pre-fill

that with the static water pressure

that's in the drive pipe

okay it should be full now

oh there it goes

almost

there we go

so

it looks like i've already got water

flowing out up here

the water flowing out here is maybe

about

double the height of that

the camera flattens everything i can

come over here

my chicken coop there is level so we can

get a

better

visual representation of the slope

involved

with my setup

and i do recommend it be

approximately similar to that although

it seems we may have run out of water

already yep

she's thirsty

so this is another way to purge

just allowing the valve to

stay open in fact

having a

a stick there to

keep it pressed down

is a good way to purge all the air out

of the line

okay it seems like all the air is

perched out

well i hope that was helpful uh i'm on

somebody else's creek here i don't know

who it's just off the side of the road i

don't have enough water flowing in my

house to operate this so

for a good background i'm here

so just a

reminder a parts list to build this

yourself is in the description including

amazon and ebay links and whatever links

may be relevant and of course a link to

my current ebay listing for this pump i

do plan on having different sizes

available in the future

larger pumps this is a half inch pump as

small as they go basically and i also

hope to have an amazon listing shortly

and make sure you subscribe so you don't

miss future videos

goodbye

my feet are completely numb