Solar pump runs dry ~45seconds each time - Check valve required?

[Denniswiseman]

It seems you have found your answer
You don't have a NRV
Place the NRV in the suction side to the pump to keep the pump primed (you would have to find a convenient place to put it)

[paulr33]

ok thanks a lot, i will place it just before the solar pump inlet

[Denniswiseman]

When you turn your pump on for the first time after fitting the NRV you will still experience a delay until your pump primes after that it should be plain sailing
Report back to let us know how you get on

[paulr33]

this was the so called one way valve.....

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so ive removed that and fitted this... a bit better =)

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need to wait 24 hours then see how it cranks...

[Denniswiseman]

I had one like that on an Onga pump but the flap just broke off (I didn't need it)
That one should definately keep the pump primed
It may be an idea to fill the pump via the the basket to prime the pump before you start it, just to help it initially get over a long prime
Are you in a freeze area, if so it may be an idea to fit a drainoff in those loops

[Teapot]

Oh come on Paul, crank it into life! it's been like waiting for the birth of your first child, we want to know

[paulr33]

ok all sorted, check valve working and no leaks or issues. dry prime time is about 40 seconds if I pour water into the well and fill it which is a great improvement over 2mins 20secs. the best part is when i turn the pump off and back on again the prime time is about 5 seconds at most and its running full flow. very happy and a massive improvement. thanks all. just shows the benefits of a properly designed pipework system taking into consideration the water level etc.

how good was the supposed "check valve" that was installed, what a joke....

[paulr33]

no chance of freeze area in melbourne, our winter lowest temps are around 10deg C

[Denniswiseman]

Congratulations on a successful resolution to your problem
That check valve is an integral part of the pump designed to keep a filter full and they break off any way

[Teapot]

Great news and thank you for coming back to share it.