Buying a Pump

What size pump do I need?

There are four ram pump sizes available. Each size pump can deliver water to the same height based on the input head pressure. The difference is the amount of water required to operate the pump and the amount of water expected to be delivered.

1/2" : 2 Gallons Per Minute to operate - up to 300 Gallons Per Day delivery

3/4" : 4 Gallons Per Minute to operate - up to 600 Gallons Per Day delivery

1" : 6 Gallons Per Minute to operate - up to 700 Gallons Per Day delivery

1-1/4" : 8 Gallons Per Minute to operate - up to 1400 Gallons Per Day delivery

Will the Ram Pump work from a pond or lake?

The Ram Pump needs both moving and falling water to operate. It will not work directly in a pond or lake. However you can use the water from a pond or lake as the source as long as the ram pump is placed at a lower elevation from the source.

Minimum Pump Requirements?

The ram pump needs flowing and falling water to operate. The minimum flow rate depends on the pump size:

1/2" = 2gpm

3/4" = 4gpm

1" = 6gpm

1-1/4" = 8gpm

The minimum input head pressure for all pumps is 2.5' however, it is recommended to have at least 3' for best operation.

What fittings are needed to install a pump?

The fittings needed to install the Ram Pump will depend on the type pipe you use. 

  • For PVC you will need an adapter that is threaded on one end and socket on the other. This allows the threads on the ram pump to connect to PVC pipe. You will also need couplings to connect sections of pipe if Bell End pipe is not available. 
  • If you use Poly Pipe (roll pipe) you will need barb fittings with hose clamps. The first fitting is threaded on one end and barb on the other. To connect sections of poly pipe together you will need barb to barb fittings. Be sure to use hose clamps to prevent the pipe from coming apart. 

Troubleshooting

Pump does not cycle

There are several reasons this can happen. See video for more information

1. Reduced flow from a screen over the intake.

- A screen over the intake of the ram pump drive pipe is a good idea. Sometimes the screen can be clogged or too small to allow proper water flow. Clean the screen or make it cone out to allow for more water flow.

2. Reduced flow in the creek.

- Often in the summer months the flow of water in a creek will slow down due to reduced rain. If the water level drops, air can enter the drive pipe and stop the pump.

3. Drive Pipe Length.

- If the drive pipe is too long the pressure wave in the pipe will be weak and not allow the ram pump to cycle. Normally it is best practice to keep the drive pipe 100 feet or shorter.

4. Mismatched Drive Pipe Size.

- The drive pipe needs to match the size of the Ram Pump. Example: 1/2" ram pump needs a 1/2" drive pipe.

5. Minimum Head pressure.

- To get the Ram Pump running you will need a minimum input head pressure of 3 feet.

6. Debris in the pump.

- If debris holds open the waste valve or the inline valve the pump will not cycle. A screen over the drive pipe intake can help prevent debris. If debris is stuck in the pump you will need to unscrew the fittings to clean the parts.

7. Back pressure loss.

- This is when there is too much input head pressure and not enough lift. You can do 1 of 3 things. #1 Reduce the input head pressure. #2 Increase the lift height up hill. #3 Partially close the delivery valve to introduce back pressure.

8. Delivery siphon.

- When the delivery pipe goes up hill and then back down it can pull water out of the delivery pipe and top the pump. Make sure that the delivery pipe end is up hill.

Most common Ram Pump Problems

FAQ and Contact

 

The Ram Pump is a great tool to pump water without fuel or electricity. However, there are several things that can stop the pump from running. Lets consider some of those here:

Questions list:

  1. Q. What fittings are needed to install a Ram Pump?
  2. Q. Why won't my waste valve close? Water only trickles out.
  3. Q. Why is no water coming out the Delivery pipe? The pump is          working fine but no output.
  4. Q. Can I start the Ram Pump by Siphon?
  5.  Q. How high can the Ram Pump lift water?
  6.  Q. How to slow down or speed up waste valve cycles?
  7. Q. Can the Ram Pump run underwater?
  8. Q. Can the Ram Pump be used in a well or pond?
  9. Q. I have pressed the waste valve 100 times and the pump wont run on its own?
  10. Q. Can I run the Ram Pump on House Pressure?
  11. Q. Waste valve stays closed and wont cycle. How do I get the valve to work?

Answers:

1.  Q. What fittings are needed to install a Ram Pump?

A. The fittings needed to install the Ram Pump will depend on the type pipe you use. 

  • For PVC you will need an adapter that is threaded on one end and socket on the other. This allows the threads on the ram pump to connect to PVC pipe. You will also need couplings to connect sections of pipe if Bell End pipe is not available. 
  • If you use Poly Pipe (roll pipe) you will need barb fittings with hose clamps. The first fitting is threaded on one end and barb on the other. To connect sections of poly pipe together you will need barb to barb fittings. Be sure to use hose clamps to prevent the pipe from coming apart. 

fittings for ram pump

2. Q. Why won't my waste valve close? Water only trickles out.

A. There are a few things that can cause this to happen. 

– Air lock. The Drive Pipe can have an air bubble that prevents the full pipe from passing all the water it needs.

– The water intake has debris clogging it and prevents water from getting to the pump. 

– Not enough head pressure. The Ram Pump needs a minimum of 2 feet (.61 meters) of water drop to operate. If there is not enough pressure behind the water the waste valve wont close.

3. Q. Why is no water coming out the Delivery pipe? The pump is working fine but no output.

A. The Ram Pump works on a 1:7 ratio input head pressure to lift out. If you do not have enough input head pressure and the delivery pipe is too high; you will fill the delivery pipe, but not have water all the way to the top. 

4. Q. Can I start the Ram Pump by Siphon?

A. Yes, you sure can. The main thing to consider is the Ram Pump needs an air free water source. As long as the siphon is flowing the drive pipe will be air free. Once air gets in the drive pipe it will stop the flow and the pump will stop.

5. Q. How high can the ram pump lift water?

A. The max height of the Ram Pump is close to 180 feet. (55 meters) The reason for that is the weight of the waste valve. The Brass swing valve has a set weight and is not heavy enough to close with more force. To get water to this height 25 (7.6 meter)feet of input head pressure is required. This is a lot of pressure at the pump. 

6. Q. How to slow down or speed up waste valve cycles?

A. The ideal cycle time for the Ram Pump is typically 1 cycle per second. Because the waste valve flap has a set weight and cannot be changed, the drive pipe length is the main thing that can be changed to adjust the cycle time. A long drive pipe slows the cycle time and a short drive pipe can speed up the cycles.

Max Drive pipe length 100 feet. ( 30.5 meters)
Min Drive pipe length 25 feet. (7.6 meters)

7. Q. Can the Ram Pump run underwater?

A. Yes it sure can. Do keep in mind that sinking the pump into the water does not increase head pressure. This is because the hydrostatic pressure on top of the pump negates the added pressure from going underwater. 

8. Q. Can the ram pump be used in a well or pond?

A. The Ram Pump needs head pressure (elevation drop from source to pump) to operate. Because there is no drop of water in a well, it is not possible to use the Ram Pump in a well.

It is possible to run a Ram Pump drive pipe out of a pond as long as the water drops below the pond on the outlet. Check this video –>

 

9. Q. I have pressed the waste valve 100 times and the pump wont run on its own?

A. There are two main things that can prevent the pump from cycling on its own.

1. You do not have enough lift height to provide back pressure on the pump. This means you have too much head pressure going into the pump and not enough lift. You can either reduce the head pressure or increase the lift. Check out this video –> 

2. Air is stuck in the drive pipe. If there is an air bubble someplace in the drive pipe it will prevent the pump from cycling as it should. Often times the pump will sputter and stop.

10. Q. Can I run the Ram Pump on House Pressure?

A.  The Ram Pump needs an open to air water source. This allows the pressure wave to go back and forth. If you have 40 to 60 psi pressing down on the drive pipe from house pressure it will keep the waste valve closed and not allow it to reopen. 

11. Q. Waste valve stays closed and wont cycle. How do I get the valve to work?

A. Air is trapped in the drive pipe. hold open the waste valve until all the air bubbles have escaped. 

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