I am trying to use clear, cool lake water to supply my 5 zone sprinkler system. First I had a 1hp shallow well pump that gave me 75% of the pressure I need. I was told (on another forum) that I had the wrong type of pump, so I got a 1 1/2 hp Wayne Sprinkler Pump. With that, I can't get ANY water to the sprinklers. I haven't ruled out a mistake on my part, but how much can you screw up? I had the 1hp pump working. The new pump has water in it to prime, and sounds fine, but won't push water into the sprinkler system.
I asked a local pump installer who sets up sprinkler systems. He says the sprinkler pump I just bought is for moving a large volume of water, not for pressure. He says the 1hp shallow well pump should work, and to change the sprinkler heads to accomodate the lower pressure.
So should I try to find a higher horsepower shallow well pump, upgrade to a deep well pump (don't know much about them) , or keep messing with the 1 1/2 hp sprinkler pump?
I'm using 70 feet of 1 1/4" continuous tubing from the lake to the pump, with a check valve at the end to maintain prime. Vertical lift from the lake to my basement is 6 feet. Then there's 3 feet of pipe, straight up, from the pump to the 3/4" sprinkler intake connection.
thanks
Doug
I asked a local pump installer who sets up sprinkler systems. He says the sprinkler pump I just bought is for moving a large volume of water, not for pressure. He says the 1hp shallow well pump should work, and to change the sprinkler heads to accomodate the lower pressure.
So should I try to find a higher horsepower shallow well pump, upgrade to a deep well pump (don't know much about them) , or keep messing with the 1 1/2 hp sprinkler pump?
I'm using 70 feet of 1 1/4" continuous tubing from the lake to the pump, with a check valve at the end to maintain prime. Vertical lift from the lake to my basement is 6 feet. Then there's 3 feet of pipe, straight up, from the pump to the 3/4" sprinkler intake connection.
thanks
Doug