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Plumbing System Design Continued
WEAR. A slight buzzing noise is acceptable, if it cannot
be avoided.
DO NOT USE THIN WALL HOSE or soft tubing on the
pump's intake. It may collapse under suction and
restrict the flow. Do not use polyethylene pipe (black
flexible) for the suction either. It is prone to slight
leakage at the fitting
INLINE FILTER should be mounted HORIZONTALLY and
as low as possible. This prevents any air trapped in it
from blocking the water flow. Be sure to leave some
space below it for a pan, to catch water when replacing
the filter cartridge.
FOOT VALVE is a check valve installed at the water
intake. It is required in any case where the pump is
located higher than the low water level in the source.
We recommend a high quality spring loaded type to
avoid loss of prime. A check valve allows water to flow
one way and not the other. Be sure to install it the right
way!
New pumps are packed with foam plugs to prevent
contamination. REMOVE FOAM PLUGS BEFORE
CONNECTING PIPES.
PRIMING YOUR PUMP: Priming a pump means filling
its intake and suction line completely with water. This
must be done if the pump is mounted higher than the
7 MOUNTING YOUR PUMP
Locate your pump in a cool place. Do not allow direct
exposure to sunshine during operation, or the motor
may overheat. Allow free flow of air around the motor
for cooling. SHELTER IT FR.OM RAIN AND SUN, or it
will be a mess in a few years.
The pump may be mounted horizontally or vertically. lf
vertically, FACE THE PUMP HEAD DOWNWARD. RIGID
MOUNTING IS NOT required in most installations. In a
non battery system, starting is gradual and the pump
does not jerk with the start. In a battery system, it will
jerk slightly, but simply mounting it to a small wooden
board is sufficient to stabilize it. The pump may be
hung vertically on a rope. Observe the pump and see
that it is not likely to overstress or loosen pipes as it
starts. DO NOT mount the pump directly to a wall or
wood floor in your home. It will increase the noise.
CHANGING PUMP HEAD POSITION: lf you wish to face
the pump's fittings sideways or downwards, please do.
You may rotate pump head to a different position by
loosening the clamp screw that secure the pump to the
motor. BEFORE installing the pump, drop a teaspoon
of water into the inlet and run the pump.
HANDLE YOUR PUMP CAREFULLY! Never hammer on
it, clamp it in a vice or drop it.
8
water source. A removable plug or a valve must be
installed at the highest point is in the suction plumbing.
Prime the pump and intake line by pouring water into
the opening until it is completely full. Your foot valve
prevents loss of prime by not allowing water to flow
back into the water source.
Your pump will create enough vacuum to SELF-PRIME
to around 3 m/10 ft (less at high elevations), but only
when it is in new condition and wet inside. A priming
plug is always recommended if the pump is to be
located higher than the water source. You may use a
good quality ball valve instead of a plug, if frequent
priming is expected.
A CHECK VALVE AT THE PUMP OUTLET is required if
there is more than a 30 ft lift above the pump, or in any
pressurizing system. This allows the pump to start
easier. It also prevents back flow when changing filter
cartridges.
PIPE UNIONS: lf you run rigid piping (copper or PVC)
directly to the pump, unions are required. Unions make
pump replacement easy, without the need to cut and re
solder or re glue the pipe. "Copper Flex Connectors"
commonly used for water heaters may be used in-
stead.
To PREVENT FREEZING of exposed pipes
you might consider the primitive method of
drilling a small "weep hole" in the outlet
pipe, below ground level. The pipe Will
drain when pumping stops but a small
amount of water will be wasted during pumping. Set
the outlet pipe to spill into the top of the tank so that the
tank will not drain, or install a check valve and "vacuum
breaker" to allow pipe to drain.
Water WILL drain back through the pump if allowed to,
but it will do so slowly. lf this is desired, do not use any
check valves or foot valve. Pump must have suction
draw of no more than about 3 m/10 ft, however. lf pump
drainage is required, position pump vertically (head
downward) or horizontally with intake and outlet facing
downward.
Take every precaution to PREVENT pump freezing. The
forged brass pump head will survive most light freezes,
but a hard freeze may damage it. lf you insulate your
pump for freeze protection, keep the motor exposed so
it won't overheat.
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