Shallow well pump losing prime (new pump)

[LinHorn]

I am trying to pump water from a cistern approximately 100 feet away from pump into my pole barn. I am using a new Sears pump, 1/2 HP , new foot valve, new lines, there are 5 elbows on the line. (pvc) The supply line drops apprx. 5 ft. into cistern. Once it's intitially primed and the system fills up ie. storage tank, hot water tank, and all lines. The pump builds up and shuts off normally; after draining system down to where the pump kicks back on, it will lose its prime, even though the supply line is full of water.
The hot water tank is on a shelf above the storage tank and pump. Does that make a difference? I am all out of answers. I think I have tried everything.
I even paid $85.00 to a plumber for him to tell me that the line has a hole somewhere in it. After he told me that, I put a new line to the cistern from the pump. I am getting nowhere fast. I would appreciate any help that someone may offer.
Thanks, LinHorn

[billie_boy]

I am trying to pump water from a cistern approximately 100 feet away from pump into my pole barn. I am using a new Sears pump, 1/2 HP , new foot valve, new lines, there are 5 elbows on the line. (pvc) The supply line drops apprx. 5 ft. into cistern. Once it's intitially primed and the system fills up ie. storage tank, hot water tank, and all lines. The pump builds up and shuts off normally; after draining system down to where the pump kicks back on, it will lose its prime, even though the supply line is full of water.
The hot water tank is on a shelf above the storage tank and pump. Does that make a difference? I am all out of answers. I think I have tried everything.
I even paid $85.00 to a plumber for him to tell me that the line has a hole somewhere in it. After he told me that, I put a new line to the cistern from the pump. I am getting nowhere fast. I would appreciate any help that someone may offer.
Thanks, LinHorn

i take it your pump is a shallow well pump?


if you are tying to "pull" the water the 100 feet..that may be a problem...any air bubbles in the water that are in the 100 foot line may seperate while the pump is up to pressure..thus causing an "air lock" in your line...put your pump at the sistern and "push" the water

if in fact your pump is at the sistern and you have only a few feet of pipe into the sistern...get a new foot valve...or add a check valve just on the suction side of the pump