Pump won't pump!

[andymacintyre]

Hi,
I recently purchased a pump from Norm and gave it a trial run today. Tried to pump water through it from the HLT. HLT positioned above the pump for gravity feed.
Opened the tap on the hlt and let the silicone hose fill so no air bubbles then attached hose to the pump inlet.
Tap throttle on outlet open. Turned on pump. Nada.
I would expect to hear a sound of the pump filling with water but nothing.
Tried various times disconnecting from the pump and reconnecting to be sure of no air in the hose.
Removed the JG connections to the pump and checked - no sign of obstructions etc.

Any ideas on how to get the thing working?

Cheers!

 

[Bru4u]

does it flow without the pump running by gravity, try it as it may just be a priming issue. I presume your pumping from the vessel shown by the hose arangement. What is the wiring on the pump and does it spin?

 

[andymacintyre]

The pump is wired up OK and when turned on can hear the impeller spin OK, so don't think it's an electrical issue.
I am pumping from the vessel shown in the arrangement in the picture.

It doesn't flow under gravity alone. I'd expect to hear water flowing into and through the pump from the gravity feed but doesn't seem to be getting through at all.

 

[unclepumble]

Have you tried pipeing up the pump the opposite way round then running.

UP

 

[Bru4u]

Air lock, it has to be, try bleeding it at the pump outlet

 

[andymacintyre]

UnclePumble -Not tried that but I'm pretty sure that the inlet/outlet are the right way around.

Bru4u - i think you're right - if water not flowing through it under gravity there has to be an airlock or other blockage in the pump. Have packed it all away now but will do battle with the thing again tomorrow..!


Cheers!

 

[mashman]

Forgive me if this sounds patronising but I have an observation.

I have the same pump, new also from Norm but not got around to using it yet.

I notice from your pics that you have what looks like JG non return valves fitted.
On most centrifugal non positive pressure pumps the inlet feeds the centre and the impeller throws it to the outer edge where the outlet is.
You haven't accidentally got the valves the wrong way round so it can't take water in or push it out.

Told you it sounded patronising. but I do daft tricks like that occasionally.

Cheers... Steve

 

[andymacintyre]

It's not patronising..! You are right - they are JG non return valves.
I had not considered that I could have hooked the water to be pumped up to the pump outlet..!
Was going on the basis of a photo elsewhere on the forum. But now that you mention it - you may have hit the nail on the head.....

 

[Aleman]

Remove the NRV valves they are not required at all and will get in the way

 

[andymacintyre]

Ahh - intersting - I think its definitley the non return valves that are buggering things up - and having them the wrong way round won't help. Just noticed they have arrows on them which I presume is for the direction of flow.
Have changed them around as shown. Does that look better? Inlet to middle of pump and outlet at outer edge?

 

[Aleman]

Do Not Use them!!!

 

[andymacintyre]

OK thanks - will ditch them!!
The JB elbow fittings also seem to have some sort of red plug obstructing them as per picture - does that look right?

 

[andymacintyre]

In fact - ignore me - that is clearly most definitely not right!
Seems the JG fittings been pushed on over the protective caps of the pump and blocked the fittings.
THAT is the source of the problem. Have fished them out with a screwdriver.
Should be game on now. Will ditch the non return valves as suggested.

 

[andymacintyre]

Blockages removed....

 

[mashman]

Good Oh..... Aleman's right, there's no need for NRV's, you might consider a bypass loop though, that's basically connecting the outlet to the inlet with a short length of pipe with a tee out and lever ball valve as the delivery. Means you can throttle back the delivery but your pump still has something to pump without overheating or labouring. :

 

[unclepumble]

Good Oh..... Aleman's right, there's no need for NRV's, you might consider a bypass loop though, that's basically connecting the outlet to the inlet with a short length of pipe with a tee out and lever ball valve as the delivery. Means you can throttle back the delivery but your pump still has something to pump without overheating or labouring. :

I wouldn't bother with a bypass loop, just yet. :whistle:

UP

 

[andymacintyre]

Well the pump now works. Very simply, thee problem was the protective bungs on the pump inlet-outlet were lodged inside the JG elbow fittings. Funnily enough, it now works perfectly....!

 

[Wendy1971]

If you dont mind me asking how much was the pump from norm?

 

[Vossy1]

they're here :thumb: