water related, but not energy,,,

[LeatherneckPA]

well, maybe not energy.

Does anybody here have experience with ram pumps?

I have found 40 acres for $80k, but with absolutely no chance whatsoever of getting grid electric. So I am now researching alternative means of supplying water and other needs. There is a stream so I am thinking I might be able to run a ram pump to get water up to a tower or cistern above a house.

[AlchemyAcres]

Check out this thread.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=ene-otheralt;action=display;num=1180019465;start=3#3

There's a pic and info about one of my pumps.

~Martin :)

[LeatherneckPA]

I should have known!

So, Martin, how much head would I be looking for in a stream to make good use of a ram pump?

Is there enough velocity in the winter in our neck of the woods to keep it from freezing in Jan/Feb?

[gsb]

Has anyone have any ideas on storing water? I can't afford food grade water barrrels and had an idea. Buy inexpensive garbage cans line them with a thick garbage bag and fill the bag with water leaving enough room to tie off tight and add enough bleach to keep it safe. 5-10 drops per gallon and rotate every 6 months.

[karlsgunbunker]

Has anyone have any ideas on storing water? *I can't afford food grade water barrrels and had an idea. *Buy inexpensive garbage cans line them with a thick garbage bag and fill the bag with water leaving enough room to tie off tight and add enough bleach to keep it safe. 5-10 drops per gallon and rotate every 6 months.

Garbage Bags sometimes have insecticide in them.
They are not very durable.
I use the Jugs from Gatorade or Sam's lemonade and fruit juice.
2 Ltr soda bottles work well and are free (if you don't buy soda ask a neighbor/relative to save theirs.
Empty bleach bottles are another good storage method.
Wal-Mart carries the blue 5gal water jugs for around $8.
Buy one every couple of weeks.
You can even use glass mayo jars etc, Breakable but better than a plastic bag.

[logansackett]

I was looking at 15 gal food grade water barrels, now I am comparing that with a deep rock type dispenser and the 5 gal. jugs. Easier to use, rotate, and move.

[LeatherneckPA]

I know of three guys araound here who sell off salvaged food grade plastic 55 gallon drums. Cost, $7.50 each. If I was considering them for water storage I'd choose the ones that had either grape juice or apple juice in them, rather than the ones that had the olive oil.

[DavidOH]

Craig's List has plastic barrels sometimes.
I see some locally for $6 each.
"FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BARRELS - $6"
"White 55 gallon Heavy Gage Food Grade Plastic barrels. Approximately 100 available."

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html

Perfect! *Get the ram pump going and fill er up.

My brother brought some home for nothing.
A guy at a botteling plant told him he wished that they would "disapear"....... they did. *;)
They smelled like Mountain Dew! *;D