Pool Pump "Easy Primer" Adapter

Stop fighting with air locks! This "Easy Primer" was born out of pure desperation. After struggling to get a pool pump to prime using every trick I could find, I designed this adapter to solve the problem at the source. It allows you to inject water directly into the intake pipe, filling the basket and sump instantly for a fast prime every time!

What You’ll Need

• The 3D Printed Adapter
• Hose Connector: A standard 19mm (3/4") male threaded connector (the kind found on lawn sprinklers works perfectly).
• Thread Tape (Optional): While the fit is tight, a little PTFE tape ensures a watertight seal.

Instructions for Use

1. Prep the Adapter: Screw your hose connector into the 3D printed adapter.
2. Access the Pump: Remove the clear lid from your pool pump basket.
3. Insert & Fill: Place the nozzle of the adapter directly into the inlet/pickup pipe (the hole leading back to the pool).
4. Flood the System: Turn on the garden hose. Let it run until the inlet sump is completely full and water is overflowing.
5. Seal it Up: Replace the pump lid tightly, then remove the nozzle from the inlet pipe.
6. Ignition: Turn on the pump.

Pro Tip: This works best as a two-person job. The faster you can transition from removing the nozzle to sealing the lid and flipping the switch, the less water you lose and the faster the prime!

Print Settings Recommendations

Recommended Materials

• TPU: Is the ideal material as its flexibility creates a superior seal inside the pickup pipe.
• PETG / ASA: Great all-rounders for durability and water resistance.

• PLA: Totally fine! Since this is a utility tool used occasionally, PLA is more than strong enough to handle the thread tension and water pressure.

   

• Infill: 20-30% (needs to be sturdy enough to handle hand-tightening).
• Walls: 3-4 perimeters to ensure it is watertight.
• Layer Height: Due to the threads a variable layer height is probably the best option, but 0.16 will probably be fine, it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to get water into a pipe.