Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here are a few pictures of a Spiral Water pump built by 13 year olds for the water Works Challenge 2008.
They used a water wheel to turn the pump, but wind would work just as well. No check valves are needed for the pump to work, but you might want to install some to prevent backflow when the pump is stopped.
Link to the Challenge
http://techchallenge.thetech.org/the_challenge.cfm

Chappo would like that pump! - its 3 phase

I never thought of it as three phase just two phase, liquid & gas....

3 pipes

But is being 'stepped-down' into one though... hehe.

If they had the inlets separated around the outside of the pump it would give a better output stream wouldn't it?

So that makes it a transformer

Flow would be better if seperated - but only if there was enough flow to warrant it.

three pahse motor in star configuration

aaah naval ET training comes flooding back. Star delta blah blah

Star delta change over ,, still remember those old contactor set-ups from my apprentice days.
Yep outback , I love 3 phase motors ,, SO easy to repair ,, so reliable ,,
Speaking of which ,, I'm having a third phase joined to my house just for aquaponics .........., AND my work-shop/shed / tavern / escape from wife room / escape from kids room / to be built starting June.

Just also happens that my work stocks quite a number of 3 phase motors ,, AHH I mean the broken ones that are going to be thrown away

But I have FINALLY gone green ,, I hooked the Mrs's excercise bike up to a pulley that can drive an air-pump.

The three spiral pipes in parallel increase the volume of water moved per rev of the water wheel. Not quite the same as a transformer, maybe more like an amplifier. And the scoop and manifold end of each pipe is even with the others, not 120 degrees out of phase.

Chappo
Why not use a Variable Frequency Drive to turn single phase power into three phase power? That's what I do and it works quite well without the expense of a three phase service to the house. How much horse power do you need?

Hi , already have 2 phases connected to my house ( as do most houses in Sydney),wire for 3rd phase is already there just not connected.Just a matter of having the 3rd phase connected to a meter:)

Just doing it that way because it's cheap and easy. I'll run the extra sub-main onto my board,then the elect-company guy just needs to mount a fuse and meter. Then I can have 3 phase in my shed for drill press/ grinder etc.

If three phase power is run down your street then why not use it. In this area thats not very common. And lots of people confuse having two phase power (very very rare) with having a center tap neutral single phase power off a pole transformer ( very common). I hope you have a Delta/Wye transformer out on the pole.
Two phase power systems require 4 wires from the generator to the point of use, not counting any ground or neutral. 25% more costly for the power co to install and repair. I know of just one in New York State and it dates to a hydro site from 1905 or so. An O-Scope will show the power phases 180 degrees out to each other, not 120 degrees as in three phase.

3 phases , 4 wires in the street. Phases 120 degrees apart,415volts between phases and 240 V to earth or neutral.
2 phases run to house using 2 cables each having 2 wires. ( one wire there but unused,,,the third phase)
Only 2 phases connected to switch board.This is done to increase chances of level loading across the phases on a community scale.
Being an A grade licensed electrician for over 25 years , I don't think I'm confused as to what is connected to my house butthanks for the heads-up.

Neat! The paddles made from PVC piping?

Yes scrap saved from a dumpster....As was most everything but the plastic pipe forming the coil.