Running the RAM and economic policy

A RAM is a water powered pump that is still used mostly in the third world, to include Putnum County, Tennessee. It uses an ingenious 1879 (or so) design that pumps 24/7/365 spring water. Today’s RAM is number three here, the first being in 1905, the second in 1958, and the third in 2002. The company, Rife Ram, did one upgrade in 1962, which was a relatively minor upgrade. Recently we did a maintenance effort after 5 years, and it payed off. No machine can be expected to run for 50 years without maintenance. In the RAM’s case even the mineral free (freestone) spring water input causes rust over time. And this RAM uses a lot of stainless steel. Bottom line, this water powered pump provides good drinking water and flush toilets, etc. Since the water is pure spring water, it must be remembered to brush daily with fluoride toothpaste.

We have a GIS of the place and area, and all the sources of the springs are on the place, as in rural. Plus the water has been checked by Tennessee Tech nearby. We are so lucky to have good water naturally.

During the recent 5 year maintenance, we had problems, mostly in the restart. A call to an engineer at Rife Ram solved the problem in his solution, and all is well now. But along the way, we did jury rig a part using a hack saw and metal grinder, and even used rust lock paint to protect the galvanized part after the work was done. All is well as one can drink spring water from the tap, and flush toilets 24/7. Even the yard dogs seem appreciative. And since then, the actual parts have been orderd and delivered by UPS. I choose to let well enough alone, since all is working well.

Should this kind of leave well enough alone and benign neglect idea work for our National economic policy? Only the voters will decide.