Priming a Blueline external pump

[CavalierReef]

My name is Barry and I'm plumbing challenged. Just put a water mixing station together by looking at various videos and some great advice from members here. However, I guess I don't understand how a non self-priming pump works. Actually, I don't need to understand how it works, I just need to know how to make it work. I installed/plumbed a Blueline 20 between my RO/DI barrel and my saltwater mixing barrel. How do I prime it to pump water between the barrels? Any help appreciated.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Hi Barry, I’m Katy and I’m also plumbing challenged. I’m following for answers since I’m in the same predicament.

 

[CavalierReef]

Together Katy, perhaps we will find the answer.

 

[Mar344]

Could you post a picture of the setup? As long as the pump is below the water line it should be primed. If the pump is a location that it needs to "pull" the water you'll have issues getting the air of the line. If it's on the ground next to the 2 tanks I'm not sure why you'd be having an issue.

 

[Jwill]

I’m not familiar with those pumps but it’s probably not a self priming pump and needs to be installed below water line is this how it’s installed ?

 

[CavalierReef]

Thanks for your response, Mar344. My phone is totally dead but I will take a picture as soon as I have enough juice. It is plumbed between the barrels at "floor" level. The samew level as the bottom of the barrels.

 

[CavalierReef]

Yes, Jwill. It is a non self-priming pump.

 

[Mar344]

Hmm. You either have a clog or some sort of air lock where water can't flow to the pump. Priming shouldn't be an issue with the water line above the pump.

 

[Coolcasino]

I have the same pump for my mixing station. As said before... as long as the input is plumbed at the bottom or near the bottom of your container it will self prime as the water will fill the pump. The out flow does not need to be plumbed at the bottom. I have my out flow mid level.

 

[Coolcasino]

 

[Cory]

Suck on one end of the pipe to get water into the pump. Now its primed.

 

[ActualProof]

This is my setup. The pump is below the water level of both Brutes. Gravity feeds the pump... no need to do any additional priming.

 

[CavalierReef]

This is pretty sloppy compared to a lot of the plumbing I've seen on here but the object of getting water (RO/DI) from point "A" to salt mixing barrel at point "B" seemed like something I could do. So I said to myself, "hold my beer and watch this". Well, this is the result and the pump runs nice and quiet but with no product water. Is there something obvious here? Thanks for all advice past, present and future.

 

[TriggerFinger]

This is pretty sloppy compared to a lot of the plumbing I've seen on here but the object of getting water (RO/DI) from point "A" to salt mixing barrel at point "B" seemed like something I could do. So I said to myself, "hold my beer and watch this". Well, this is the result and the pump runs nice and quiet but with no product water. Is there something obvious here? Thanks for all advice past, present and future.

Are the correct valves open??

 

[CavalierReef]

Trigger Finger, the barrel on the left is the RO/DI. Water comes from that barrel to either the spigot to collect top off water (that valve is closed) to open valve which leads to the pump. From there it is supposed to go to my mixing barrel. I plumbed it (I think) so water can be circulated and mixed in the salt water barrel by opening the valve to the right of the "T" fitting and closing the one on the left. Of course I can't test that unless I can get water to the barrel in the first place. There is a one-way valve between the pump and the saltwater barrel suggested by someone on here and I made sure the flow direction was up to the barrel. Does it look correct to you?

 

[TriggerFinger]

from what I see (don’t forget, I’m following to learn too ) the yellow circled valves are off and the red is on?? The pump looks to be pushing water from the left barrel to the right??

 

[CavalierReef]

Correct.

 

[TriggerFinger]

So how is it supposed to recirculate in the left barrel if the outlet of the pump only goes to the right barrel?

 

[CavalierReef]

I just removed the check valve between the pump and the saltwater barrel thinking maybe there was too much restriction. I'm not getting water past the pump at all. The pump is 20" or so below the water line in the RO/DI barrel. ???

 

[Mar344]

You must have an air lock in the left line. I would open the drain valve (furthest to the right) and see if it vents air letting water get to the right tank.