Avoiding long dry starts and pump blowout.

Pat Norman

Pat Norman

New member
Here is a horrible video I made showing how to setup a blowout for winter plus a new item I added so my "dry pump" will prime quickly. I've mostly been washing just weekends this year due to a position I took and I've been draining my tank to keep the algae away. Those dry starts even when undoing my whip line from the hose reel are what probably made me have to repack my pump. It still had to overcome the airlock and water in the boiler to get primed. So I tee'd off an 8 ft whip line and ball valve right off the pump to get the water flowing. Let's see how well it works with a completely dry pump....
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9vG4u9EDd4g
 
Just that little elevation above the water supply can make the pump hard to prime. I have been considering a bilge pump in the tank to supply the pump. That would prime it right quick I think, and the manufacturer techs seem to all think it is much easier on the pump and seals. Size the bilge about twice the pump flow I was thinking.
 
Had to run check. It is 1" hose. Going from the tank up to where I split it to the pump I want to go 1-1/4 or even 1-1/2. Reason is if I take the filter cup off to drain the tank even a half tank at 250 gallons it takes forever! So I know that is a restriction on the pump. I can put a hose barb on that pump and drill a hole through that belt guard to feed the back side. Belt guard is longer than needed.
 
Pat Norman said:
Had to run check. It is 1" hose. Going from the tank up to where I split it to the pump I want to go 1-1/4 or even 1-1/2. Reason is if I take the filter cup off to drain the tank even a half tank at 250 gallons it takes forever! So I know that is a restriction on the pump. I can put a hose barb on that pump and drill a hole through that belt guard to feed the back side. Belt guard is longer than needed.
Click to expand...

Oh thats a good idea. My belt guard isn't in the way. I had to reconfigure my plumbing because it felt like I was getting some cavitation. I went from dual feeding both sides with 3/4", to single feed with 1" hose and I am having no problem with cavitation(5.5 gpm), but I fear I might have compromised my seals. I'm about to go to an 8.5 gpm machine so I will have to dual feed. Might have to steal some of your ideas. And I have a 3/4 inch hose to drain my tank and that takes a half an hour to drain 90 gallons!
 
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