Secondary Primer

[BenG12]

I just wondered if anyone remembered using an LPP to prime a defective major pump. If so what was the exact process of doing this to get the prime? I know its an old school method but would be good to pass on. Thanks

[Kinmel]

Two ways.

1. If you have a "suction to instantaneous" adaptor connect a hose line from the LLP to the adaptor and loosely fit the adaptor onto the end of the suction hose. Pump deliveries must be open to protect pressurising the suction.   Use the LPP to flood the suction and pump.  Bring up the revs on the pump and once water reaches the hose the pump is primed. disconnect the adaptor, or blank cap, from the suction hose while that is kept under water.  Fit strainer if possible.

2. Remove the strainer from the end of the pump's suction hose and replace it with the blank cap, place the end just under water. Set the LPP into the supply of water and use it overfill the pump's water tank, open the tank valve and flood the pump and suction hose with water.

Again, bring up the revs on the pump and once water reaches the hose the pump is primed. disconnect the adaptor, or blank cap, from the suction hose while that is kept under water.  Fit strainer if possible.

[Paul LFB]

Make the main pump down to open source as normal, connect LPP to a delivery on the main pump with a length of suction with a suction to instantaneous connector. Keep tank on main pump closed and prime the LPP and there by hopefully priming main pump, depends on a good seal on the delivery. Remember doing it on recruits although its so long ago ,I might be misremembering

[Br9mp81]

Would to see someone do this with the otter lpps we had the primer was a stirrup pump type set which created the vacum, warm work to say the least

[Keith]

12 hours ago, Paul LFB said:

Remember doing it on recruits although its so long ago

Similar to you Paul, I remember us trying this on the recruits course, but can't remember if it was successful or not. We certainly don't teach it anymore and it wouldn't be possible to do now as we no longer carry the adaptors.

My advice, swap the pump out and replace it with one that works.

[BenG12]

12 hours ago, Paul LFB said:

Make the main pump down to open source as normal, connect LPP to a delivery on the main pump with a length of suction with a suction to instantaneous connector. Keep tank on main pump closed and prime the LPP and there by hopefully priming main pump, depends on a good seal on the delivery. Remember doing it on recruits although its so long ago ,I might be misremembering

Thanks for all the replies. This is the way that rings a bell for me...presuming you know you have the prime once the LPP is delivering a good bit of water. As Keith says the main answer you get is swap the pump 🤣 

[Matt]

Had to do this last year with a trailer pump we own using a LPP when it became defective during the day.  Something I didn't know how to do till then but learnt from time served FF who is nearly into his 50th year in the job.

Skill I've learnt that can be passed on, unsure if it would work with the new ePumps of it the computer would do something and stop it, I'm not up on the newer pumps still levers with touch and feel pumping for me.

[Kinmel]

Long ago when I was a lad, you got very wet priming another pump, because you had to enter the water to swap over to the strainer once the pump was primed.  Back then delivery outlet washers were made of a harder rubber and it was all but impossible to get a a good vaccuum seal. I never even gave that option a thought when the question was raised.

Never heard it been done in anger, as you say, just swap the pump !