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View Full Version : How to prim a well pump?


joeme
Mar 19, 2012, 11:05 AM
My pump keeps running off and on. It's the water for watering the lawn-we have city water for the house. Is the galvanized tank water logged? I was told to drain off some water and add air pressure. The drain is about 2/3rds down from the top. How much water do I drain off? Add air at the same time?
Add more air after?

Joe

speedball1
Mar 19, 2012, 12:11 PM
To recharge a galvanized pressure tank simply shut the pump off and drain the tank. Now turn the water back on as the water enters the tank it will compress the air until a balanced is reached, That means if your control box's setting is 30/50 the air PSI in the tank will be 50 pounds.
To prime a pump look on top of the impeller cage,( the housing located directly back of where the suction line enters the pump. You will see a small 1/4" plug or perhaps a pressure gage. Remove it and fill the housing until it overflows. Replace the plug or gage and turn the pump on. You have just primed your pump. If the housing won't hold water or drains down let me know. Good luck, Tom