Pump won't prime - help please!

[DiverGirl1972]

We're trying to get open and when my bf tries to prime the Sta-rite IntelliPro VS-SVRS pump, we are getting an alarm message to clear the drain. All plugs have been removed... Not sure what the issue is....Any ideas? I need to get this water circulating! Thanks in advance!

 

[mknauss]

A SVRS pump. You will have issues for the life of the pump.

For someone with experience with that type pump -- @Jimrahbe

 

[Texas Splash]

I see two valves. The closest valve (open) is split before getting to the pump, the back one (valve mostly closed) comes out of the ground by itself. Can you confirm what those lines are for (skimmer, cleaner, drain, etc)? Hard to tell from the pic, did you fill the pump basket with water before attempting prime? Also, is the pool water level back-up to normal about halfway up the skimmer?

 

[mknauss]

Review this - Pool builder signed off... taking over today

Try pushing the RESET button.

 

[DiverGirl1972]

Well, it appears the BF had the priming function disabled - doh! That fixed it, though it looks like our water level is still a bit low for it to keep running. Thanks so much for the quick response!!

 

[Jimrahbe]

DG,

Glad you got it running... I have the useless SVRS option on my IntelliFlo, and have found that low water, when trying to prime, will often cause mine to go into the entrapment mode and shut the pump off. It will also shut off if I close the air relief valve on the filter too quickly... For my pump anyway, you have to push the reset button to clear the fault, otherwise it will try to prime several times and then shut off altogether.

I run my pump 24/7 for a number of reasons, but one of them is so that I don't have to prime everyday...

Thanks,

Jim R.