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SummerIslander · 06-26-2020, 06:55 PM

A few years ago, I installed a well pump at the end of our long water intake line (300 ft, we're in a shallow area). But I only use it as a primer pump to save 25 minutes of pouring water down into a funnel and having the pump spray it back in my face and everything else when we open it. Now, the well pump runs for about 15 seconds, it fills the water line from the bottom up, then I shut it off and switch to the jet pump, fully primed and ready. No risk of electrocution for people when the water is way too cold to swim, and GFCI is inline anyway. If you wire it to share the pressure switch with the jet pump, and put in bypass piping, then it can act as a full backup in case your jet pump fails. You can run the primer pump longer with a relief valve open to purge the jet pump rust and crap out of the line also before turning on the jet pump.

I got the cheapest smallest 120V well pump and it has way more pressure and volume than we would ever need. So no need to spend a lot on the pump itself. Hardest part was the wiring (must be super-watertight) and building a sled to hold it securely off the bottom.

06-26-2020, 06:55 PM	#9
SummerIslander Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Use both - best of all worlds A few years ago, I installed a well pump at the end of our long water intake line (300 ft, we're in a shallow area). But I only use it as a primer pump to save 25 minutes of pouring water down into a funnel and having the pump spray it back in my face and everything else when we open it. Now, the well pump runs for about 15 seconds, it fills the water line from the bottom up, then I shut it off and switch to the jet pump, fully primed and ready. No risk of electrocution for people when the water is way too cold to swim, and GFCI is inline anyway. If you wire it to share the pressure switch with the jet pump, and put in bypass piping, then it can act as a full backup in case your jet pump fails. You can run the primer pump longer with a relief valve open to purge the jet pump rust and crap out of the line also before turning on the jet pump. I got the cheapest smallest 120V well pump and it has way more pressure and volume than we would ever need. So no need to spend a lot on the pump itself. Hardest part was the wiring (must be super-watertight) and building a sled to hold it securely off the bottom.