An assemblage of the main parts, common pipe fixings available in nearly any hardware store.
A test assemblage in Wisconsin before heading south to Chile to put the design to work!
At home in Los Brujos, Gray's strength and a vice the necessary tools to put the Atlas together.
Both adjusted check valves in place...
Marcelo and I marvel at the simplicity, but then again, we weren't the ones tightening all the connections.
The main assembly complete, now ready to protect the metal with paint...
Now it was Gray's turn to relax!
It's good work for Smurfs, if they can get it.
The arrival of the cistern. I have always wondered how a company can sell plastic tanks like this in South America with the brand name Rotoplastic, “roto” meaning “broken” in Spanish. But this tank seems quite strong.
We drilled the entry and exit holes for the water source and the drive pipe, as well as some overflow holes, an activity that attracts inquisitive attention from Elu.
Now some real work! Marcelo and the Plaza family caravan down to the water source with the cistern in tow.
Queno hauls down the many rocks necessary to stabalize the source and the pump itself, neices and nephews all enlisted.
The delivery of fresh drinking water!
A glimpse as to the condition of the stairs down to the water source, a steep 30 meters down from the water tower and our cabins.
A proud moment, Gray reflecting as the Atlas sits painted in its concrete foundation.
Geared up and ready to start building the platform for the cistern below and to seat the pump in position.
Muddy business, but a found truck tire helps support the structure as we work.
Gray insisted on wearing sandals while supervising one day.
The muddy sandals and some fresh drinking water still hauled up the old fashioned way in bottles and a backpack.
Christine helping Gray pump up the bicycle inner tube that pressurizes the system.
Marilyn helped protect our water source box with some nifty blue paint.
The water source installed with a filter, filling the cistern!
The cistern seated, the source and the drive pipe connected, plus an exit tube for periodic cleaning... ready to test the system!
A shot of the Atlas Ram Pump in its environment.
Final connections to the water tower for the delivery tube, connecting the last bit with a little hot water and some braces.
The cistern filled over night! 1000 liters ready to send to the pump!
Carol preparing to throw the switch...
And it works!
Water squeezing out with quiet and gentle heart beats of the check valves.
Our water tower begins to fill with each opening and closing of the valves!
Inside the water tower tank, water falls for the first time in months!
The Atlas Ram Pump at work!
