Hydraulic field guide · Lesson 1 of 3
Inside the pump
The barrel pump draws water in and pushes it up the tower. Slow it down and follow the parts that make water travel one way.
The pump on the test bench
How hard is it working?
The manufacturer ran this pump on water at 36 volts. At higher discharge pressure, the motor drew more current while delivering less water per minute. The tower’s own pressure and flow still need to be measured together.
| Pump outlet | Water flow | Motor current |
|---|---|---|
| Open discharge | 1.63 gal/min | 0.91 A |
| 40 psi | 1.40 gal/min | 1.88 A |
| 80 psi | 1.19 gal/min | 2.73 A |
About the illustration
The model shows the pump upright with an enlarged cam tilt and valve travel. Water markers show direction. In the switch chapter, the example pressure rises and falls on an illustrative timescale. The actual timing depends on the outlet, trapped air and how much the hose expands.
The factory shutoff applies to the pump. A working pressure for the printed tower has yet to be established.