Off Grid Water Pump lifts over 50 feet [Full 1/2" Ram Pump Install]

[@danb708]

Seth I bought a little 1/2 inch pump from you two or three years ago and began experimenting trying to get water from a creek up to an orchard. I know you look for ideas to create videos comparing different designs. I have found through experimentation that I can almost double the flow of my system by using a check valve one size larger than the ram pump. I currently have a 1-1/2 inch ram pump with a 2 inch swing check valve (stainless). Changing from a 1-1/2 inch check valve to the 2 inch valve changed my flow at the top from 54 seconds / gallon to 29 seconds / gallon. My system has a 500 foot run up the orchard with a 70 foot lift. If you want to try something different, try experimenting with increasing the size of the swing valve (oversizing it) without changing anything else. As always, great video.

[@wanmuhammadimranwanismail6342]

Changing both delivery valve and waste valve or either only delivery valve or waste valve?

[@robertg9514]

I’d like to see a video of a high lifter pump, I used to own one years ago. They can run on as little as a trickle of water, automatically start on their own and deliver water up to 1000 feet of head, given enough drop and enough water. Ours delivered 1300 gallons a day with about 30 feet of drop from collection to the pump (drive pipe) and delivered it 400 feet of head. It was absolutely the coolest thing I’ve ever purchased.

[@TakeNoneForTheTeam]

I ran a test a while back. I changed the first one-way valve from vertical to angled. I wanted to see whether it would change the flow rate and it did vastly improve. One direction results in the flap closing with lower water flow since the flap is already partially closed while at rest and the pump cycles quickly. The other results in a delayed flap closure since the water velocity must be higher to overcome the flap being angled past vertical. This has a slower cycle time, but the water velocity is higher. I allowed the system to run for a few minutes at each angle and did a stop watch test with a 20 ounce bottle. Have an amazing day!

[@UserFormelyKnownAs_hjkh]

Very good video! Please be aware of a few things plumbing related...1. An effect called friction loss. Where for each foot of water in a pipr you will lose X amount of pressure due to friction against the inner walls of the pipe. In theory you could run a pipe long enough the the infeed pressure is totally negated by friction loss and no water would ever come out the other end. 2. When you double the diameter of a pipe, the flow rate is quadrupled! So changing that 1/2 inch pex to a 1 inch line would allow a much better flow at the end! Thanks for sharing, i was unaware you could have such a long infeed pipe for the ram pump to achieve your drop/head pressure.

[@LandtoHouse]

The output of the ram pump is low flow low pressure. At 1/4 gallon per minute at best on the small pump the friction loss should be very small. I would have used a poly for the delivery over the pex.

[@joesabal1212]

I remember viewing a video of how California gold miners used water to create a massive high pressure water hose to wash the banks with water to find gold. They did this using progressive larger pipes going uphill to the water source. Since water is just over 8 pounds per gallon this water weight increase the water pressure at the base to a modern day fire hose. This would be a good model for this project to maximize one's efforts.

[@450rhino1]

Can't wait for the snow to leave here, in NOVA SCOTIA, so I can get to the camp, and get my ram pump running for the season.

[@LandtoHouse]

We are just now seeing consecutive warm days here. Not much snow this year.

[@kevinkidderphotographer]

Probably the best video that I have seen on ram pumps! Well done

[@LandtoHouse]

Thank you. I have over 120 ram pump videos.

[@johngodwin7902]

Oh snap look out he’s got a half inch pump. Nice set up you always do a good job.

[@LandtoHouse]

This install really helped the homeowners. They use the water for showers and toilet.

[@creativeredneckin7258]

Thank you. Your videos were so helpful when I was looking into ram pumps for watering the garden. It's the second year I'm using mine and it's working great.

[@LandtoHouse]

Very good! Nice to hear of multi year use. Some are still using pumps from 7 years ago.

[@creativeredneckin7258]

@@LandtoHouse I think I may have to replace the rubber seals on the holding tanks they are leaking a little. Have you had any issues with the cold affecting them?

[@LandtoHouse]

@@creativeredneckin7258 Do you mean on a storage tank like an IBC tote?

[@creativeredneckin7258]

@Land to House yes I use 2- 55 gallon drums and uniseals where the pvc connects the 2 barrels and for the output pipe. Last year they did well but just got the pump running this spring and the uniseals are leaking which slows how quickly I can fill the barrels.

[@creativeredneckin7258]

Plastic 55 gal drums

[@ericsumnicht7829]

Beautiful job again Seth. So glad to see your subscriber base growing. !!! A blessed Easter to you and your family.🎉

[@johnthomas5806]

thanks, I can add this to my homestead in the Philippine islands...

[@NoOne12]

Pex might have been a bad call. 6. Keep PEX away from sunlight. Like most other plastics, PEX will become brittle if exposed to sunlight for too long and may crack under pressure. Typical exposure limit is ~30 days.

[@sarahmorrill]

Yeah, that was strange seeing the PEX.

[@backachershomestead]

Been thinking of running a ram pump into livestock tank and running overflow back to creek. It would not be contaminated. Only thing holding me back is cost of black pipe.

[@romanivanchenko9432]

Супер спасибо большое за информацию 👍 интересная идея 👍😀👍👍👍👍😀👍👍👍👍😀👍👍

[@FREE_WILL_AAHhhhhhhhhhhhh]

Thanks, great video, make sure that pex gets buried as UV light will make it fragile.

[@sestun]

Ram pump installing videos are tight! (Sorry I just came from the ryan george channel.) But seriously, ramp pump videos (installing and experiments) are the best!

[@pappysproductions]

I love your videos. Thanks

[@LandtoHouse]

Thank you. This install went well and is now delivering water to an off grid rv in the woods.

[@MikeBurns-bi5xj]

Very good presentation

[@AlexasGarden]

Very useful thing! I liked ) Thanks for your advice!

[@bushysnowtail7413]

hit the like cuase you actually placed the RAM in the creek and the water is not wasted like so many other vids

[@LandtoHouse]

For sure. the waste water continues to flow down the Creek

[@johnhickssnr24]

I need something like that for my farm

[@johnhickssnr24]

How do you decide if it’s a 1/2” or 1” size pump?

[@martindavila8175]

I need to lift just above 250ft. What would I need. And I have a stream of 11gp, 9ft drop over 80ft on a 2inch pipe

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

The #1 element that people overlook is the "head weight" of the water inside the tube. The higher the water is to be pumped - the smaller the tube needs to be. If the tube is larger it holds more water and it's weight will always push down. This is a great option and I hope many of your viewers try this. 👌 -KJ

[@genealamos9888]

your talking about the "output side" pipe diameter needs to be smaller for longer distance?.. thanks

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

@@genealamos9888 Correct. The more water you're pushing up at one time - the more weight your pump is fighting. Skinny tubing takes longer but it's the only way to go up great heights.

[@genealamos9888]

@@KaleidoscopeJunkie thank you makes sense

[@44thala49]

Head pressure at a given height is the same in a 36 inch diameter pipe as it is in a 1/4 inch one.

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

@@44thala49 The problem is not the pressure per diameter at one given point. The problem comes with the water above that point. More water = more weight/resistance. 10' of water in a 36 in dia pipe weighs more than 10' of water in a 1/4 inch pipe. Simple physics.....🖖

[@Dust76tr]

For filling the delivery pipe, could you not do the usual trick of leaving it open to match the source, then close the value, get the pressure tank up to pressure and then open the delivery again to use the pressure to shove water up the delivery pipe, then close and repeat until it cycles on its own. Should bring down the number of manual valve pushes because it only needs a couple to pressurise the tank enough for it to run on its own. I’m thinking manually action the valve a couple of times until the pressure tank builds pressure to run on its own, let it run for 30 seconds or so, then open the delivery and wait for the pressure to drop, then close the delivery again, manually action a couple of times until it runs on its own, leave for 30s and then open the delivery again. Rinse and repeat until the delivery is full enough to cycle on its own. Hope that rambling made sense 🤣

[@jllaine]

Also perhaps capping the delivery pipe to compress the air in it to build back pressure might work.

[@TheMagaiver40]

bom video, esse tipo de bomba é muito utilizado aqui no brasil por pequenos agricultores.

[@Rockwolf50]

With that flow, in my opinion an intake box (preferably with coanda) would have been a far better choice. It would eliminate sediment, prevent that pipe from being clogged and increase your head pressure slightly. If that stream floods, that whole assembly is going by bye…..

[@timgore1487]

Good job

[@markcooper1349]

For the blue PVC pipe supplying the water for use: could you start with a bigger diameter pipe (like 1") and step it down to 3\4" to 1\2" and build pressure that way? I know we do it in residential houses just wasn't sure if it would work in this application?

[@Bozemanjustin]

Land to house Damn son, not only could I see the weight gain, I can hear the shortness of breath when you speak. 20 carbs or less per day, I lost 0.5 lb per day on that diet 93 lb later, I stopped doing that keto diet 7 years ago. Haven't gained anything back It's totally worth it and you only have cravings for the first couple weeks. After that. It's easy sailing

[@BitByThePurplePlague]

Am wondering.. does the size of pipe matter from the Ram Pump to the storage tank? Is there more output volume with a smaller pipe or more with a larger pipe... 1/2" vs 3/4 in.

[@survivalsavage9454]

I think you want the intake pipe to be double the size of the output pipe

[@MasterKenfucius]

Because... SCIENCE!!! Believe in it.

[@LandtoHouse]

Well said. Haha.

[@truthserum8326]

I have an 1 1/4" ram pump. I need to lift the water as far as possible. It takes less pressure to move a smaller column of water correct? I wonder if I should use 1/2" PEX or 5/8" or 3/4"? (About 6" of drop with massive amounts of water)

[@glossyfpv1155]

Can you use a ram pump to pump water up a hill then down the other side and have a water turbine creating power at the bottom? Once the ram pump gets up to the top, suction and gravity should pull a steady flow down the hill to create power. Just a random though lol

[@luthix3314]

If the outlet elevation is lower you can just siphon over a hill.

[@andrewbrock4636]

It wouldn't be anything worth doing. Pressure and flow need to be very high

[@survivalsavage9454]

Maybe run it up to a water tower then run that out to another ram pump going down over to your watermill or whatever you're powering. Idk I'm not a plumber

[@lesthompson5907]

how big must the ram - pump Be to give a delivery of 4"pipe .

[@LandtoHouse]

You can use any size delivery pipe you like on a ram pump. If you are looking for that much water you will need to find another style pump. The ram pump is not designed for that.

[@shadowhawk1st]

Mad goose and crazy rooster LOL

[@trimbaker1893]

great video. lift is not perhaps the word though. water can only be lifted 32 feet at sea level. It can be pushed, up any distance though. water will separate into a void if it is drawn any higher than 32 feet. Not being a water asshole here, just hoping to add some physics to the thought pond. Your pump is great and it pushes water.

[@davidcruz2860]

Hello, there. I built a ram pump following step by step instructions on one of your videos, but there is a problem. The water goes into the pump, but the valve doesn't close at all. Do you know what the problem could be? Thank you...🤔

[@tallyforeman3145]

Will this work in a pond with no steady flowing water? If so, can you elaborate on that.

[@user-ht6th6oz8q]

Very god 👍👍👍

[@roelreambo3851]

so how many check valve you used?

[@brianshields7137]

Better to use a pathing slab to mount the pump to

[@jasonharper2601]

would have made a dam and then the ran setup in front of the dam as the dam would trap sediment and your pipe would have clean water. your supply pipe would be set i n the dam giving you more head pressure

[@az55544]

Squirrels love to chew holes through the blue 1/4” used in maple stands for syrup production - destroying pressure. Do they bother these setups?

[@LandtoHouse]

I am not sure about this pex line. I have found that 100psi poly pipe does well with squirrels. The thinner 50psi poly gets chewed by squirrels.

[@kaylinevans2017]

What is the highest it could move water vertically do I times by flow rate or drop height from source

[@thegiant573]

first flood and the whole system washes away, need some way to secure everything.

[@andyvaldez26]

How does it work in the winter with freezing temperatures?

[@diydarkmatter]

with out a idea of what to comment buddy im just going to say i like chickens ! lol . work safe buddy hope all is well .

[@LandtoHouse]

How about "that goose was loud". Haha

[@diydarkmatter]

@@LandtoHouse lol yeah he was . must have been laying a egg lol .

[@benoitmorin7008]

Would it be faster to add air directly in the tank with a bike pump compared to cycle it a lot of times?

[@LandtoHouse]

The cycling of the waste valve 100 times is to fill the delivery pipe up hill with water. This water column causes backpressure on the pump so the valve can cycle on its own. The pressure tank does not need any extra air at this point.

[@DontEatTheAnimals]

This is only for the USA ? Because the rest of us, the other 192 countries, use metric.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

Shouldn’t he have used poly pipe for the delivery pipe instead of pex I thought pex isn’t UV stable?

[@LandtoHouse]

I mentioned that to him but he wanted to use pe . Perhaps he will be putting some ground cover over it. I recommend 100psi polypipe for the delivery uphill.

[@s.m.6151]

​@@LandtoHouse You mention 100psi poly, but in this application would 60psi be sufficient as well?

[@LandtoHouse]

The thinner poly is more likely to be chewn by rodents. But it works just fine for the ram pump.

[@Psalms118-Yahuah]

I’m on your site about to purchase the 1/2”. What’s the difference between the ram pump and the ram pump kit? Do I need both to make it work?

[@LandtoHouse]

The ram pump is a fully assembled pump and the kit has all of the pieces that you assemble a pump yourself. They are separate pumps. You only need one or the other.

[@Psalms118-Yahuah]

@@LandtoHouse okay. Thanks. I just wanted to make sure. Do you install pumps in Virginia?

[@LandtoHouse]

Happy to help. I actually have only installed for local people. Today's video was for a friend.

[@Dagreenberg68]

Are you planning on a video where you actually do your prep work first?

[@LandtoHouse]

What do you mean? I do have over 130 ram pump videos.

[@paperchaser9565]

Can you use regular hose material instead of plastic material?

[@LandtoHouse]

The delivery pipe going up hill can be garden hose. The drive pipe needs to be more ridged.

[@beinghonest5539]

how much high up can water deliver compare to water level from water source

[@LandtoHouse]

The ratio is 1:7 input head pressure to lift out. There are a few things that can be done to improve that but 1:7 is typical.

[@townbeach3603]

What is it a check valve?

[@jonesrick1]

I have a low-flow creek. I want to build a 1/2 inch pump that will deliver water about thirty feet to a 100 gallon tub. The approximate lift from creek to tub will be about ten or fifteen feet. How much supply pipe from bucket to pump? And how much supply pipe from intake to bucket? Do you have a formula? My understanding is for every one foot of intake there is seven feet of lift, but I'm not sure if that is from the initial intake or the reservoir bucket. I'm near to going on Amazon and buying your 1/2 inch ram pump. Thanks for any help. I'm subscribed.

[@LandtoHouse]

The 1:7 ratio of input head pressure to lift out is correct. The ram pump needs 2.5 feet of head pressure minimum to get the pump cycling. This minimum is all you would need to lift water to 15 feet. The head pressure is measured from the silt bucket to the ram pump. If your creek does not have much silt you can remove the filter bucket. The head pressure would then be from the source intake to the pump.

[@jonesrick1]

@@LandtoHouse Thank you much for the quick reply. I think I'll try the bucket-less approach first and see what happens. Much clearer now what I have to do. The creek runs under my driveway and through a culvert. I tried putting my tub under the culvert, and it filled up so high so fast with silt that I couldn't move the tub and had to empty it by hand. But I don't want to use a bucket because the creek is shallow and full of rocks. We'll see what happens. Thanks again. Keep those videos coming!

[@NoodlesR6]

What in the perpetual motion is this? You just broke the first law of thermo dynamics

[@LandtoHouse]

Haha The waste valve passes 90% of the water going to the pump. Only 10% is pumped up.

[@beinghonest5539]

i am working on ram pump for project can you help me, modeli ready but not working 🙏

[@LandtoHouse]

What is your pump doing? Valve staying closed or staying open?

[@anothergoogleuser]

Why not strap the ram pump vertically to a tree?

[@LandtoHouse]

That is a very valid way to mount the pump. This homeowner was going to move it 100 feet further down the creek so we did not lock it down in the video.

[@SODERBEK]

Do you sell the screened intake assembly?

[@LandtoHouse]

Not currently. They take a lot if time to put the holes in the pipe.

[@bhargavbhat9380]

What is the size of delevery pipe?..

[@LandtoHouse]

They used 1/2" pex for the delivery pipe.

[@bhargavbhat9380]

@@LandtoHouse thank you👍🏻

[@fafafarmlife]

Thật là tuyệt ❤❤❤

[@TORAH-613]

that pex pipe is not uv rated

[@jgunther3398]

off-grid but not too far from lowe's

[@LandtoHouse]

The closest Lowes was 45min I think. Not too bad.

[@adithyaaquatechsolutions6137]

hi your videos are good and impressive iam trying to reach you mail but no response . need hydro generator

[@LandtoHouse]

Hello. Thank you. If you are looking for micro hydro information you will need to call Spencer Langston from Langstons Alternative Power. He sponsored all the hydro content on the channel.

[@Worldcatkitten]

Cara cerdik dan pintar

[@Seanyhwh-qu4sb]

you will have to boil it before you drink it.50 ft is not deep enough to get to clean water table.

[@DonMontano-ft9uu]

How to order

[@LandtoHouse]

You can find the ram pump on Amazon or the Land To House website. www.landtohouse.com

[@DonMontano-ft9uu]

@@LandtoHouse is it possible to deliver the water up to 300feet? By using 1/2 check valve

[@JohnBullOutdoors]

What is the stand pipe for? Just get rid of excess air?

[@LandtoHouse]

When the pressure wave travels in a drive pipe that is too long it starts to weaken. Much more than 100 feet and it drops down to nothing. This stops the pump. The stand pipe brings the source head pressure closer to the pump and shortens the drive pipe length.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

So by using the poly pipe first you get the benefit of increased head pressure but without making the drive pipe too long?

[@LandtoHouse]

@@BobBob-il2ku Exactly! Brings the source closer and maintains the head pressure.