alt.energy.renewable

On Aug 6, 6:01 pm, "daestrom"
wrote:
> "Tater" wrote in message
>
> news: @ ...
>
> > we have rainwater barrels under our downspouts, and i was wondering...
>
> > could we use a hydraulic ram to fill some elevated barrels so that we
> > could have landscaping water with some pressure? just curious if
> > anyone else ahs done this.
>
> Hydraulic rams require more water than what they actually pump uphill. If
> your rainwater is limited, you could end up wasting half (or more) of it
> using a hydraulic ram to lift the other half uphill. Are you sure that's
> what you want?

yes, we'd not waste the "waste" water, it would go into the rainbarrel
on the ground. half? I was hopeing for 10% pumped

both of our 55g barels fill up in one rainstorm, we'll be adding more
barrels, but i thought pumping it would be neat. most plans for DIY
rams are around $50 or so. doubt the windturbine or PV panel could
match that price(but will be doing a turbine in my future, other
project)

> If so, another key thing about hydraulic rams is that much of how
they work
> depends on the 'falling' water getting up some momentum. This usually means
> a length of straight pipe before the 'clapper' so that the water can build
> up some speed.

is 20ft of 2x3" pipe enough? (typo on other reply)