Can somebody tell me how to prime a sprinkler pump the right way? I have 2 cut-off valves on my system. The first one leads to the pump, and the other valve leads to the cylinder shaped thing with the five tubes on it... My question is: do I close the 2nd valve and open the first valve to let water into the pump first in order to lubricate the pump? And how long should I do this?

And then, do I close the first valve and open the 2nd valve to let water into the system and for how long? And should the pump be on during this time in both operations?

I had to turn off the pump for 3 days because the lake was being drained because of the approaching hurricane and now the pump will not pump even though I can hear it working... Thanks.

I am not familiar with that type of pump, and do not understand some of the details. I have a lot of experience with different pumps, and maybe with my general experience we can figure it out.

Most water pumps do not pump air very well. Many must be filled with water from the intake to the pump. It will be easier if the pump has a foot valve at the end of the pipe down in the lake. Then if it is a centrifugal pump without any other check valves, you simply fill the system by adding water to the outlet and turn the pump on. Other systems are more difficult.

It sounds like you need to open both valves, and run water in the first one until the system if full. Then close it and turn the pump on. Leave the second open unless water runs out it while filling the system. If you have to close it to fill the system, open it immediately after turning the pump on. If you have any leaks air can be drawn in, the pump will draw air instead of water.

I once managed a factory where we had a 6,000 gallon water tank buried under the floor, and the pump a 1 1/2' above the floor. As long as there was any water in the tank at all, and the pump was running, it pumped fine. If the system lost any water, and we shut the pump off, we couldn't restart the pump until the tank was full and the system up the 1 1/2' above the floor. We lost large amounts of production time waiting for the tank to refill. I eventually fixed the system so we lost less water, and air didn't get carried down to the tank.

Thanks for responing so fast. I don't think my lawn could take another day without water...

Somehow I got the pump to work before I read your message. However, it was pure luck. That I did.

And would you know where I can buy those "metal" jet spray nozzels... All Home Depot or Lowe's sells is those plastic ones that screw into those white tube-like pipes that circle my bushes... Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by Weedsahoy

Thanks for responing so fast. I don't think my lawn could take another day without water....

Somehow I got the pump to work before I read your message. However, it was pure luck. that I did.

And would you know where I can buy those "metal" jet spray nozzels...All Home Depot or Lowes sells is those plastic ones that screw into those white tube-like pipes that circle my bushes....Thanks again!

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... manufacturer name and model number?

I am referring to the "Dig" jet sprayer on 10/32 thread microsprinkler, locater no. 48... operating pressure 15-25 psi... flow rate 12 to 14 GPH... diameter 6' to 8'... I can only find these in plastic... Does anyone know who makes these nozzles in metal?

general procedure to prime a pump

Here is a typical checklist for pump priming procedure -
I. Close the discharge isolation valve.
II. Open the air vent valves in the casing.
III. Open the valve in the outside supply line until only liquid escapes from the vent valves.
IV. Close the vent valves.
V. Close the outside supply line.

There's another article for reference which talks about more such procedures - How to prime centrifugal pump?