Roger Striffler
New Member
I've recently replaced my sprinkler system pump with a 1 HP shallow well pump from Harbor Freight. The pump turns on, runs and seems so far to maintain a prime. The problem is, it does not build any pressure; the pressure gauge stays at zero and only one sprinkler head runs.
I also have an output to a spigot, and the water comes out, but with super low pressure. If I turn off all of the outlets, it will eventually build pressure and cut off at the specified max pressure. When I open the system, pressure immediately drops back to zero.
My guess is that it is not drawing water fast enough to build any pressure, which means one of the following:
Thanks!
I also have an output to a spigot, and the water comes out, but with super low pressure. If I turn off all of the outlets, it will eventually build pressure and cut off at the specified max pressure. When I open the system, pressure immediately drops back to zero.
My guess is that it is not drawing water fast enough to build any pressure, which means one of the following:
- The water level in the well is low. I don't believe this is the case as we've had a very wet spring.
- There is a leak in the inlet line from the well, and the pump is sucking air. Everything is sealed PVC, with the exception of a union I installed so that the pump could be easily disconnected in the even of failure/repair. The union is properly installed so I don't *think* that's the problem.
- Water flow between the well pipe and the inlet is restricted. It may be important to note that the old pump was fed by 1 1/4" pipe, but the new pump has a 1" inlet, so I had to adapt the pipe from the well from 1 1/4" down to 1" pipe. Is it possible that this could restrict the flow enough to cause the issue?
Thanks!