FAQ (Rife Water RAMS)
 

Can a Rife Water Ram be submerged in water?

No. It requires air to operate properly. Excess water must be drained away from the pump.

Can a Water Ram pump water from a well?

It can be used on an Artesian well, but not a regular deep well. For a regular well, try a solar pump or a hand pump.

Does the Rife Water Ram require much maintenance?

Periodically, a few of the rubber gaskets may need to be changed, but for the most part, no regular maintenance is necessary. The frequency of required gasket changes will depend on water quality and your specific application. Generally, gaskets need to be replaced every two to five years.

Will freezing have an affect on the working of the Water Ram?

    Because water is continuously moving through the system, freezing temperatures will not affect the Water Ram so long as the water supply is not frozen. The Ram and pipe should be encased in areas that experience extreme temperatures.


What is fall?

Fall is the vertical distance between the water level at the source and the point where water enters the water ram.

Why is fall important?

A hydraulic ram is powered by gravity. Water moving downward through a drive pipe gains momentum, which is used to pump a portion of the water upward to its destination. The amount of water delivered is proportional to the fall.

What is lift?

Lift is the vertical distance between ram and the receiving tank. Lift must be 2-3 times the fall.

What is a drive pipe?

A Drive pipe is the section of supply pipe which gives the thrust to the Ram and is most important for the function of Ram. Its length should be determined as per specifications.

What is a stand pipe?

This is used if the distance from the source to the Rife Water Ram is beyond recommended length. It can be a plastic or steel pipe in between the supply and drive pipe. It must be at least 2 ft above the source and 2 sizes bigger than the drive pipe. In a way this brings water source closer to the Ram.

Can the Ram be placed directly in a pond or stream?

No. Rife rams cannot operate submerged in water. They must be able to draw in air.

Can I use plastic pipe?

The drive pipe from the water source must be rigid and as straight as possible. We recommend galvanized steel. The discharge pipe may be plastic as long as it is rated for the pressure produced by the elevation to which the water is being pumped. 2.3 feet of elevation produces 1 p.s.i. of pressure.

How much water will a Rife Water Ram deliver?

The amount of water delivered depends on the fall, the elevation to which water is being pumped, and the amount of water entering the ram through the drive pipe. The formula for calculating delivery is: D=VxF/Ex6/10, where D is delivery in gallons per minute, V is the volume of water entering the ram in gallons per minute, F is fall in feet, and E is the elevation the water is being pumped to.

What is Double Acting Ram?

It is a special attachment for Rife Water Rams which enable you to pump water from a spring using creek water to power the pump. It is only available for Rife Rams.

Can two or more Rife Water Rams be installed?

Yes. A battery of Rams can be installed to the same source using different drive pipes as long as there is enough supply of water.

Will replacing a smaller Water Ram with a bigger Water Ram will deliver more water?

Not necessarily. Depending on water available and amount needed only one pump will do the job.

How noisy is the Rife Water Ram and what can be done for sound dampening?

Ram pumps make a continuous clicking noise while running. The Rife Water Ram can be installed in a pit or above ground with an enclosure. This will help with the noise reduction. In case where an enclosure is used, it should be large enough to give clearance for easy access.