Devalan pump problem

[rj242]

I have a question concerning my devalan pump (mounted in orange dry box / sold at walmart). Yesterday I was washing a roof, and my pump quit sucking (still running). I took everything apart and tried to push water through it with water hose while the pump was off. Water would not flow the proper way though the pump, however it would flow through the pump backwards (hose on outlet side). After that, I hooked everything back up and it was working. I worked probably another 5 minutes and it stopped again. I did the same thing and it started back pumping, and I was able to finish the roof. I never saw any trash come out of the pump. Has anyone ever experienced this type of problem? If so what should I expect the next time out? Is my pump going out or was it just trash in the pump? I alway rinse with 5 gallons of water after using the pump.

Thanks in Advance!

[John Doherty]

Sounds like an air leak. Check all your fittings. When you prime keep the pump on not off.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

What size output hose, and how long is it ?

[rj242]

Why would the pump start pumping again after I did what I did if it was an air leak problem? The only connections I broke was a 1/2" quick disconnect on the inlet and outlet sides of the pump, so that I could push water from a garden hose through it. I was thinking trash was the problem, because pump was still running. Anyway after the second time of doing this, it run for about 30-40 minutes with no problem.

The inlet is 1/2" maybe 3-4 feet. Outlet is 1/2" around 200' or just a little less.

[John Doherty]

It would start running again because you displaced the air bubble in there with water.

[814jeffw]

Sometimes tools seem to break or act up for no reason, and sometimes they just fix themselves for seemingly no reason. It is always nice to know what happened though. Problems that cure themselves are scary.

Jeff

[rj242]

Jeff, I am with you on that (would like to know). I would like to know if this sounds like signs of the pump getting ready to crash. I have only used the pump maybe 10 times and have flushed it with water each time.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by NEWHEIGHTS

It would start running again because you displaced the air bubble in there with water.

Took words right out of my mouth!
I was gonna say we have simply disconnected output hoses, and had pumps magically prime.
Other times, we have had air bumbles in the output lines, flused with water, good to go.
Know what i say, if it is fixed, run that puppy
Why ask why ?

Go with it

[rj242]

Chris,

I ask this because I haven't purchased a backup pump yet. I know I am asking for trouble by not buying one yet, but I have only done a couple of roofs, and was trying to feel out the roofing business around here before I put more money in that part of my business. I upgraded my washing rig last year, and I am still trying to recoup some of that money.

I was wondering what you guys thought about my pump. Didn't know if you thought it was getting ready to bite the dust.

Thanks!

[Keith kile]

what kind of power source you use and also do you have a switch or relay inline of the pump and if so what amp is it?

[rj242]

I use a 12v deep cycle marine battery. My set up has a switch in the line along with 20amp fuse.

[RPetry]

RJ,

We only do wood, not roofs. But we use both Delavan and Shurflo 12 volt pumps. A primer bulb on the inlet line side seems to help prime the pump, especially when we use sodium percarbonate cleaners that off gas a lot when first mixed.

When the pumps die, they just seem to go without warning. Make sure to get a new backup pump ASAP.

[David O'Connell Jr.]

Did I read a QC on the suction side? I hope that its a compression fiiting with an o-ring and not a PW QC.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by Reef

Did I read a QC on the suction side? I hope that its a compression fiiting with an o-ring and not a PW QC.

Yeah, LOL.
Nothing like a slight air leak on the inlet side to make a lot of "unexplained problems"
One new shurflo pump actually had a pin hole leak on where it's inlet threads met the pump body.
About drove us NUTS finding it.