Start a Water Pump
There are many types of water pumps, as well as methods of getting them to start working. I will concentrate on the most common problem of getting water pumps to... well... pump water, and then offer a few suggestions on dealing with switches and debris.
Steps
- Prime the pump. The most common issue with getting water pumps to move water from where you have it to where you want it is air. If there is an air gap either at the piston or around the impeller, the pump will probably not be able to start a vacuum or generate a flow that can overcome gravity or other impedance. As in the olden days, you can fix this by adding water where it can do most good, either pouring right into the top of the old handle pump, removing a cap and adding water in the priming reservoir of newer pumps, or pouring water down the outlet of a sump pump. There are self-priming style pumps that usually make this a non-issue.
- Locate properly. For electric sump pumps, bilge pumps and the like, location is key to ensure performance and dependability. Usually, you want to place your pump where water settles first, preferably near the source of the unwanted water. A sump hole is a typical good location. If you have a sump hole, it may be beneficial to have a grate over it to help prevent larger pieces of debris from getting at your pump's inlet, impeller blade and float switch.
- Know the switches. Your pump may be plugged into a dedicated outlet that requires you to flip a switch to manually turn the pump on and off. If your pump uses a float switch, be sure it has freedom of movement, this will let the switch rise with the water level, automatically turning the pump on at a desired level, then allow it to fall as the water is removed, automatically turning the pump off. There is a wand type and fixed-float type, as well as an internal float type on newer models, with minimal debris in the water, all should serve you well. Note that it is a bad idea to run a water pump with no water, usually the water helps cool the pump, if the pump keeps running after the water is gone due to faulty operation or stuck switch, your pump motor may burn out. Some pumps have thermal protection switches, some self reset, some have a button reset, even others must be replaced, but hopefully it saved the pump motor.
- There might also be water pumps that use pressure switches. You might need to make an adjustment to cause the switch to turn the pump on and off at the water levels you desire.
- Realize that wind, water, solar, steam, fuel (or other) powered pumps, may seem vastly different from ol' rusty hand pump and electric pumps, but they all basically do the same function, just using various methods and forms of power.
- If you have a suitable location, adequate space for the pump and any float switches to operate efficiently, have that air gap issue handled by priming, control the debris in the water source and provide the required power source, you should be pumping water in no time.
Warnings
- Water and electricity can be a dangerous combination, proper insulation of wiring and proper pumps for the situation should always be implemented to protect lives and property.
