The pitcher pump would go on a tee at the OUTLET of the electric pump and
there would have to be a valve at the pitcher pump and another valve
somewhere at the output end of the tee. Close output valve, open pitcher
pump valve and pump until water is pulled through both pumps. Close pitcher
pump valve, open output valve and turn on electric pump. Worked good on my
irrigation pump.
Don Young
"zxcvbob" wrote in message
...
Don Young wrote:

Another possibility is to install a hand operated "pitcher" pump in a
tee
with a valve at the pump outlet. Pour a little water in the hand pump
and it
will pull the water up through the pump. When it starts flowing, close
the
valve and start your electric pump.
Don Young


Won't air leaking through the electric pump break the vacuum and keep
the pitcher pump from working? (The valve needs to be between the tee
and the electric pump, not between the tee and the hand pump.)
Otherwise, I like this idea because the pitcher pump can get the water
if you need to prime the centrifugal pump.

-Bob