Smith & Loveless Lift Station - Priming Troubleshooting

[@marcflores67]

What we did was removed the vacuum pump altogether and used ejectors and compressed air to create a vacuum. Saved power, no more vacuum pump issues, and the vacuum pressure it creates primes the pump so much faster at compressed 80 psi air. Also, we elongated the vacuum line above the glass dome so we could bend it to a pea-trap style. No more water in the float check after that. Only dirty solenoids after that. Try it out. May make your days easier

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Very good idea!! I like it!!

[@raymonddavenport6796]

Hi Marc, can you send me a drawing of how you converted the vacuum/priming system and removed the vacuum pump altogether?

[@Tearflavoredcereal]

Would you be able to make a videos on how the level floats are supposed to work? Confused with how the manual says they operate.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

That would be a hard video to make as the install depends on how your station is set up. So my floats would not be the same as yours.

[@chad23smith34]

How do I get all your videos? Im in line maintenance on lift stations "Smith and Loveless" . You do a Great job on explaining step by step. Thank you!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

I only have what it on my playlist so far. If I run into another major repair, I will document it. Thanks for watching!

[@RioJerry]

Hey brotha just wanna say great video they were very helpful, I just came back from a troubleshoot and long story short is I get a vacuum and the pump starts to pump and after about 2-3 minutes the pump will stop moving water but the pump will still run. There pumps have a flow meter so that’s how I was able to tell that it was moving water. Any ideas you got would be helpful.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

My first guess would be rags built up on the impeller. Second would be vaccum leak somewhere on the suction side.

[@bubba6richards729]

You can take the solenoid valve off and clean/unclog it. Take the silver nut off and the plunger will come out. Cheap easy fix if it’s clogged.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Yup, have done this a few times!

[@chad23smith34]

I have a new question? Have you ever replaced a sonic start and the vacuum pump continues to run and the pump doesn't take over? Replaced and installed a new sonic start modual on pump # 2 and that happened , also the modual light is flashing red with a yellow/amber light?. Thanks for any info!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Hard to say without being there, but did you get the connections mixed up? Can you see water in the sight glass to confirm it is actually priming?

[@chad23smith34]

@@CallMeColtLLC Hey , thanks for your response. We deal with a company called Apsco, originally they said wire up like old one. Tech came out, actually wiring was different than diagram. Back on line! Have a good one!

[@CallMeColtLLC]

@@chad23smith34 Sounded like the sonic start wasn't giving the proper signal to the controller. Glad you got it figured out!

[@dwaynestennis1982]

Have you ever maintenanced a air compressor, if so do you have any material I can use.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

I haven't had to do it yet but one of mine is looking bad. May be doing it soon!

[@josephrhodes4844]

Do you happen to have an electrical diagram of that lift station that you could send me ? We've got a very similar smith and loveless setup.

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Even though it is similar, it will not be the same. If you have the SN, call S&L... they will have it & send it to you. They're very good about it.

[@bryancarpenter22]

Could a bad mechanical seal cause it not to prime also?

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Yes, it could.

[@nickyboy1309]

These pumps are good until you get baby wipes or a rag caught on the probe. Some people put them in horizontal which doesn’t help 🥲

[@CallMeColtLLC]

Rags don't help anything!

[@Scarhead04]

What does it mean if the light is red on the sonic start