Building a ram pump...

Fair enough. But, if I have the option to drink a cleaner, less rubbery water, I usually go that route.

Living in Cambodia has some disadvantages. A lot of the ground water here has naturally occurring arsenic in it. So, I kinda lean a bit more toward rainwater harvesting, when possible.

 

It is always well to be aware of local conditions....not all solutions are universal.

 

I haven't learned how to up load pictures ,and I'm reluctant to use "the cloud" .
but there are you tube on ram pumps that I got my initial information from.
There are professionally made units, and those one can make them self,
the principle is the same .
I tried stuff that doesn't work like substituting PVC on the input pipe and it flexes too much .
Some folks have drilled small holes to allow air in the water as it passes the expansion chamber so it does not swamp, I guess it works .Seems like you sacrifice something for going that though .
Having the ball valve in the front of the first valve is important in initially starting and any other configuration than a ball valve will not allow the flow required for best efficiency.
The feeling of success seeing the thing work is quite a thrill .
A first I thought the first swing check valve was the critical component, but the whole thing is like a perfectly orchestrated symphony.
If you have the time and interest , the fun is learning the combinations that make it work more efficiently .
There is nothing like personal experimentation ..

 

Professionals call them "swing check valves" ones with a flapper inside.
Schrader valves are on the tire inner tubes .
Swing check does not use a spring, and this is important . The working fully depends on voluntary movement.
Schrader valves are spring loaded and do not work in this particular operation.