Could it really work?

[RELICDUDE07]

Saw this online & thought i may build 1- do you think it would have enough power to pick up small flake gold /pickers from the river bottom? I know its the same prox. as the larger 1s ......Thanks & let me know if anyone has made 1 like this before with any luck.... Relic

 

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[Armchair prospector]

You need a battery, and that may be considered an illegal suction dredge in Ca.. Don't know if you could get enough power to get suction with a pump that small. Have you tested this? Where does the material go after the T fitting?.

 

[Hoser John]

Hand operated suckers mo'better. For every 90 degree angle utilized you lose appx. 16% of your inertia/flow and with that wimpy pump you'd need everything you can get. Takes a BIG battery to run and handop sucker needs nuttn' but you---tons a au 2 u 2 -John

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Was thinking about a 2200 gall per hour bilge pump & 12 volt lithium, they only weigh a pound or so.Something like this set up just to get started ....I'm headed to coker creek in a few weeks for my 1st time. Flake gold/dust

 

[Guest412]

It looks a little gimmicky? and not very productive. Id stick with a shovel.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Lol i think i will make 1 just for fun-but will have a shovel with me also!

 

[Gramps43]

You could bend the copper tubing into a half circle, with one of thse spring type benders that keep the tubing from kinking. That should reduce some of the loss, but I would leave the battery on dry ground, properly insulated from the ground so as not to lose the charge too quickly.

But as stated by others it prodly won't pick up much anywho.

Gramps

 

[Gravel Hog]

Ur alright gramps!

 

[RELICDUDE07]

I'm going to work on 1 & will let you guys know.....Its not about the suction because you are pushing the water /sand back up , its about the gph water flow...This pump Wel-Bilt Water Pump - 1in. Ports, 1585 GPH, 31cc 2-Stroke Engine,, This 12 volt boat pump 3700 gal per hour (gph)....

 

[Jason in Enid]

I hate to burst your bubble, but there is no way that things is going to work. Even to ones they sell on Ebay are a joke. You will move 100X the material with a shovel.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

not when the gold is in the creek bottom at 12 ft deep?

 

[Jason in Enid]

I'm going to work on 1 & will let you guys know.....Its not about the suction because you are pushing the water /sand back up , its about the gph water flow...This pump Wel-Bilt Water Pump - 1in. Ports, 1585 GPH, 31cc 2-Stroke Engine,, This 12 volt boat pump 3700 gal per hour (gph)....

It's has to do with a lot of factors. It's GPMs, it's pressure, and it's in the angles and design.

 

[Jason in Enid]

not when the gold is in the creek bottom at 12 ft deep?

Your device won't work in 2 inches. At least a shovel is good for several feet. If you want to dredge get a dredge.

 

[Hoser John]

never work at that depth-no way jose-

 

[RELICDUDE07]

I think it will work -you could be right about a lift of 12 ft. may only work in the shallow water...If i down size the pipe to 3/4 inch size it may help pressure/lift....Most of the gold is a lot smaller than 3/4 of a inch..

 

[Jason in Enid]

If you want this to have any chance, you need to change your design some.

First, you need to seal the hole where the copper pipe is entering the pvc. Second, get the T-connector off the end. You need this to be running into an UW sluice box. Third, take the restriction off the front. How these (and all suction dredges) work is by using a high pressure jet of water to push a larger amount of water in a tube. This is why you HAVE to have pressure. This creates a low-pressure area at the nozzle that brings in water, sand, gravel, etc. With your restriction and smaller nozzle piece, you are choking off the ability to push water, or create the suction you want.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Yes -This is some dudes pic i found online ....He had it install on a ROV so he could move sand a little -and dump it out of the tee... to see artifacts on the shipwreck... The water for sure needs to dump in the sluice,he said it worked well

 

[RELICDUDE07]

not when the gold is in the creek bottom at 12 ft deep?

Your device won't work in 2 inches. At least a shovel is good for several feet. If you want to dredge get a dredge.

this you are right---you have to stick the whole pump under the water!

 

[werleibr]

You would be better off with the design modification like this. Also the use of u Pipe for the pump water would be more efficient. This will help with some of the losses you will have. But this is so much like a shop vac IMO. I think moding a shop vac would be more bennificial. I am not a gold locator so I could be out in left field watching the birds on that.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Dont think the air would move the water ...Good news is a have a few old bilge pumps in the shed-and for a few bucks on pipe ,we will see...If not its on to plan -B (weed eater & wet end)LOl