DIY Ram Pump – or, how to defy gravity with PVC pipe.
Ram pumps are fascinating little devices. Essentially, they use the kinetic energy of water to push a portion of the same flow to a higher height than should technically be allowed by the laws of physics. And without using electricity!
Our DIY ram pump design is simple to build, and the PVC pipe is great for temporary or permanent outdoor use. Need to water areas of your yard or farm that are hard to reach?
Also, if you’re curious about ram pumps (or know someone who might be) this could make for a fun educational DIY project as well.
Ideal for: off-grid, gardening, watering, DIY home projects, landscaping, and more.
Ready to build your own? Great! Just check out the DIY build guide and diagrams below to get started.
Instructions
A note before starting.
Please understand - the below diagrams are genuinely and carefully designed to help you navigate the build process. However, we don’t include specific recommendations for which tools, hardware, and products to use, and so on. These truly are “DIY” designs.
We do, however, have a few generic recommendations for working with PVC.
- Please, make sure that any tools you use are designed for PVC. If you find yourself needing to cut or drill, please use PVC-appropriate bits and saws.
- Gluing is a popular, fast, and effective method for attaching PVC pipe and tubing. Please ensure that any epoxy, cement, or glue you use is appropriate for both the materials and for your intended uses. And as always, please be safe!
Ready to build now?
Water Ram Pump Plans
Step 1
NOTE: when building your ram pump, you’ll want to ensure that all pieces are properly oriented in the right direction. This shouldn’t be hard to accomplish, but it is critical!
First up: the check valve assembly.
Using the diagram above, please collect the pieces you’ll need for this step.
Then, go ahead and connect them all in the manner shown above, taking care to ensure that your Check Valve and Swing Valve are oriented properly.
Once you’re done, you can set the whole assembly aside until it’s time to combine with the others later on.
Step 2
Next up: your vertical ramp pump assembly.
This step has a few more pieces involved, so go ahead and collect them all before starting.
Then, connect them all in the manner shown above.
Step 3
Almost done!
All that’s left to do is to connect the check valve assembly with the vertical assembly.
And that’s it! You have a ram pump!
Of course, please make sure to let any cement and/or glue dry before putting your ram pump to work.
And: happy pumping!
Ram Pump DIY Kit Parts List
14 parts
1" Tube - 3" Length
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 5
2" Tube - 3" Length
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 1
4" PVC Tube - 18.4" Length
PVC - Thin PVC
- Quantity
- 1
1" Ball Valve Threaded PVC
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 2
1" Adapter Male Threaded PVC
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 2
1" Tee Female Slip PVC
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 1
1" x 2" Reducer Slip PVC
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 1
2" x 4" Reducer Slip PVC
PVC - Thin PVC
- Quantity
- 1
4" Coupler Slip PVC
PVC - Thin PVC
- Quantity
- 1
4" Cap Slip PVC
PVC - Thin PVC
- Quantity
- 1
1" Check Valve Slip PVC
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 1
1" Tee Female Threaded PVC
PVC - Standard PVC
- Quantity
- 1
1" x 2" Nipple PVC
Plastic - Mixed
- Quantity
- 1
1” Swing Check Valve Brass
Metal - Brass
- Quantity
- 1
Ready to make it yours?
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