Return pump priming needed?
 

Hey guys, ok got my leaks all worked out for the most part and the drain works etc... So naturally the next step was to fire up the return pump.

I have a submersible return pump that fits in a chamber in my sump. Its completely submerged. Its an ecoplus 1584 pump. Brand new. It works, I tested it outside just submerged in a bucket and it shot water 3-4 feet high.

So, my problem is that when I have it hooked up to my four 1/2" return lines through a 3/4" manifold it wont push water through.

I have a check valve installed about 4 inches up the line from the pump that is not backwards and for some reason my pump isnt feeding water through my returns. Ive closed off 3 of the 4 to see if it could pump through just one and no luck there either.

Anyone know what might be my problem? Ive got the return lines full of water to "prime" them and this has caused the check valve to close the other direction, but the pump should be powerful to push it open again and begin flow, no? Im confused.

If the check valve is closed, the pump may have air in it? can you crack the line before the check valve to fill pump?

+1 the check valve is likely holding the water up over the pump and creating an air lock, you need to either open the check valve to remove the air or remove all the water above the check valve.

If the check valve is closed when there is water in the return lines and the pump is off then it is doing its job. If it was open it would syphon water out of your tank and into your sump. However this doesn't mean that it is not faulty. It could be binding internally or spring pressure to great for your pump (assuming it is spring return and not a flapper valve). Can you put a spacer piece in place of your check valve to make sure that the CV is the problem? Is there a fitting between the pump and check valve that you could loosen to release any airlock?

Yeah Ive got water basically from the returns to the check valve which is about 4-6 inches above the return pump. So there could be a bubble of air between the pump and the check valve.

I am starting to wonder though if my pump is powerful enough to blow open the check valve.

Ive taken it off and hooked it up to a hose and water blows through it when on a hose.

My pump is a 1584 GPH submersible Eco Plus pump.

Are these check valves rated at a certain gph in order to be opened?

They are supposed to open very freely as there intent is not to stop water from flowing out only from returning to the pump. Your pump should have absolutley no problem opening a check valve if it is working properly.

I am sure this is not the case BUT... are you sure that the back check valve is not installed up side down?

So do you think its the 6" pocket of air between the check valve and the pump is the problem? I have no real way that I can think of to get water into that 6" of pipe. Ideas?

No its the correct way. It has an arrow saying which way flow is and that arrow is pointed the same direction the pump pumps the water. Ive also tested the check valve to see if its seized and all that and the check valve seems like it works for the most part. I still am skeptical about it though since it is an old part that I think was in a system prior to mine.

Ive tested the pump to without any restrictions and it pumped fine submerged in a bucket of water outside.

It "might" be the problem. I have never had a submersable airlock on me personally as usually the head pressure in your sump is enough to fill your pump up. You may have to invest in a couple of unions and a spacer to find out though.