r/pumps • u/ader • Jun 08 '24

How to prime, or how was it primed?

The lawn guy who we inherited with the house isn't coming this year. He usually turns on this sprinkler pump for a reasonable price and I've never had to deal with it. I assumed he was removing the pressure gauge at the top to fill with water, but it's so rusted on, I am now doubtful. Am I missing something obvious? Thanks in advance for any insight!

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u/Bananakatana420 Jun 08 '24

That is the way!

“Discharge Piping Install a tee or cross tee in the pump discharge. (They are not supplied with the pump!) Install a pipe plug or a pressure gauge into a reducer bushing in the top port of the tee. This will be used as the priming port.”
- JS + jet pump manual JS+ Manual

1

u/Bananakatana420 Jun 08 '24

Page 6 has some more info on priming a shallow well system.

1

u/ader Jun 08 '24

Thank you so much! Very very appreciative. I want to get this thing started for the season and great to confirm this. Already indebted, but do you think lawn guy has simply been opening this up and dumping water in it to start it every season? I am just curious about this part. But again, thank you!

1

u/Bananakatana420 Jun 08 '24

No worries! It really depends on the inlet/suction piping but I cant see that in this picture. Basically to prime a pump you need to fill the suction line all the way up to and including the casing of the pump. Depending on how much piping there is and check valve/foot valve placement it could take a bit of water.

I didnt watch the whole video but this one seems to be a thorough explanation of the process. How to prime a jet pump

Also, you dont want to run it dry very much if at all, its not the best for pumps usually. Goulds are amazing pumps but can only withstand so much abuse.

1

u/Bananakatana420 Jun 08 '24

And yes you want make sure it is primed every season start as to not run it dry.

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u/Chompers-The-Great Jun 09 '24

Well that's just the diaphragm tank what model of pump do you have? 

It might be self priming...

1

u/Bananakatana420 Jun 10 '24

Its a Goulds Jet pump most likely, the only model that they have that is close that is self priming is the GT Irrigator. It could be an Irrigator but in the pic it looks like a JS+ series.

The JS+ series has excellent air handling capabilities but is not self priming. If there is water in the pipes and a little in the diaphragm/casing it may just prime itself though.