Flowlight Booster Pump Instruction Manual

2
BASIC CONSTRAINTS
I. PUMP MUST NOT BE SUBMERSED
II. WATER MUST BE FILTERED ABSOLUTELY CLEAN
III. PUMP MUST NOT RUN DRY
I. NON-SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS
Your pump must NOT be submerged in water, or rained or dripped on. If it is installed outdoors,
supply some weather protection, such as a sheet-metal shield or even a dog house – something
to keep it dry and also to protect it from the sun’s heat.
II. FILTRATION REQUIREMENT
Your pump is a PRECISION MACHINE. Traces of sand, clay, rust or other solids will cause
rapid wear or immediate damage, just as they would in your automobile engine. If your water is
CRYSTAL-CLEAR ALL THE TIME, our Fine Intake Strainer will provide sufficient protection. If
you have an intake strainer already, it is probably not fine enough -- openings must be no more
than several hairs wide, or additional filtration is required. Since water conditions are subject to
change, it is good insurance to use a filter regardless. Many dealers refuse to sell our pumps
without a filter since it minimizes call-backs.
Our 30-INCH INTAKE FILTER/FOOT VALVE is necessary for pumps lowered into wells.
Otherwise our INLINE FILTER is best, installed close to the pump's intake. If filters are
expected to clog often, maintainance may be minimized by plumbing two or more filters in
parallel. The INLINE FILTER has a clear bowl so its condition may be observed. KEEP SPARE
CARTRIDGES HANDY!
FILTER CARTRIDGES are available from your dealer or the factory. 9 7/8-inch cartridges for
the INLINE filter may also be obtained from local water system suppliers. The 5 or 10-micron
"spun polypropylene" type is best. Paper filters have less capacity. The kind that look like string
has more restance to flow. Carbon taste and odor cartridges have less capacity for dirt, more
resistance to flow, and cost more. Use them only if you have taste and odor problems.
A filter cartridge may look clean and still be clogged, due to fine silt embedded in the fibers. If
the pump becomes increasingly noisey over time, it is usually due to a clogging filter cartridge.
On the other hand, a cartridge that looks discolored may not be clogged. As long as your pump
runs quietly, the filter is OK. Use pump noise to indicate the need to change cartridges.
IRON PIPE OR FITTINGS will introduce abrasive rust particles if installed on the intake side of
the pump (they rust, even if galvanized). Pipe that is dirty inside (even new pipe) or has mineral
deposits in it will also introduce dirt. Dirt is introduced as pipe joints are assembled, especially
in a trench. Therefore, make sure inlet lines and fittings are FLUSHED CLEAN before hooking
up to pump.
The INLINE FILTER may have a red push-button valve to release pressure for maintenance. If
filter is placed more than a few feet higher than water source (at lowest level) the suction may
pull the valve open and introduce air. Prevent this by sealing around the push-button with
silicone sealant or epoxy, or replace the button with a nut, tightened down.