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KHE
USA
11 Posts |
 Posted - 06/11/2009 : 05:27:44
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I drilled a well for my sprinkling system and used a 2" PVC point and pipe. I could only find a brass check valve so I used PVC threaded adapters to connect to the check valve.
I have a Water Ace (Meyers) 1-1/2 HP pump (I bought it used but the guy I bought it from only used it a couple of times and it looked brand new - no cracks or damage on the pump housing) and have 50 gallons per minute output. The problem is that the system appears to lose its prime after a few hours - when I start the system up, it takes 3-4 minutes for the first zone to pop up.
I noticed I had some small leaks between the check valve and the pump so I sealed those up last night and will reconnect the pump this evening. I removed the plug at the top of the well and heard a vaccum sound so I believe the check valve is holding. I also removed the check valve and filled it with water and let it sit overnight on a piece of cardboard. This morning, there was no water on the cardboard and the check valve was still full of water so I believe the check valve is OK.
My theory is that the leaks between the check valve and the pump were enough to cause the pump to suck air and lose its prime or there is something wrong with the seals in the pump. Is there anything I'm missing? |
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cow_rancher
USA
1110 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 06:07:17
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quote:
Originally posted by KHE
I removed the plug at the top of the well and heard a vaccum sound so I believe the check valve is holding.
What does a vaccum sound... sound like? A sucking sound, is an indication that the check valve is not holding.
What kind of check valve is it, a swing gate or a spring loaded valve?
quote:
Originally posted by KHEMy theory is that the leaks between the check valve and the pump were enough to cause the pump to suck air and lose its prime or there is something wrong with the seals in the pump.
You may be right, check back in and let us know.
Your pump is losing prime.
Rancher |
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KHE
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 06:40:04
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Maybe a "vacuum sound" was not correct. I heard a noise then I removed the plug at the tee on top of the well and heard a noise. The noise could have been the water flowing back down to the point.
The check valve is a brass type with a spring loaded plunger. I had it on my bench overnight full of water and none of the water leaked past the check valve so I think it's holding.
I resealed the connections last night with teflon tape AND teflon pipe sealant so they should be sealed. I'll know if the leaks are stopped tonight but it will probably be tomorrow evening (I need to let it sit for a few hours) before I will know if that fixes the problem. |
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KHE
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 04:55:29
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| I got the pump primed last night and let it sit for a couple of hours. When I turned the sprinklers on again, there was instant flow from the first zone. I let it sit overnight and this morning, turned on the 1st zone and again, instant spray out of sprinklers so I think I solved the issue. My theory that the minor leaks between the pump and the check valve were leaking enough to cause the pump to lose its prime. |
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cow_rancher
USA
1110 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2009 : 07:20:39
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quote:
Originally posted by KHE My theory that the minor leaks between the pump and the check valve were leaking enough to cause the pump to lose its prime.
I'd say your theory is correct, and with a jet pump you are sucking water out of the well, so there is no such thing as a minor leak.
Rancher |
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KHE
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 06:12:51
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| I checked it again last night and it worked fine - the first zone had water instantly when turned on. Those small leaks were enough to cause the pump to cavitate and lose prime after a few hours. |
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Irrigation well loses prime after a few hours
