How to Manually Prime Your Battery-Powered Sprayer Pump

Applies to: All FGI battery-powered backpack sprayers (DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, Smith, Scotts, Lesco, Roundup) when first used or after extended storage

What causes this: When a battery-powered sprayer is new, or has been sitting unused for a while, air can be trapped in the pump and stop water from flowing. The pump may run (you can hear it) but no water comes out. The fix is to manually prime the pump one time. After that, the pump primes itself on every use.

How to fix it:

1. First, check if you actually need to manually prime. Fill the tank with about 1 gallon of clean water (no chemical). Install the battery, turn the sprayer ON, point the shut-off in a safe direction, and squeeze the trigger. If water sprays, you do NOT need to manually prime. Turn it OFF, empty the tank, and you are ready to use it.
2. If the pump runs but no water sprays, continue with manual priming. Empty all liquid from the tank and rinse out any chemical residue.
3. Remove the red cylindrical filter from inside the tank. Rotate it about 1/8 turn counterclockwise, then pull straight up to remove.
4. Point the shut-off in a safe direction. Turn the sprayer ON. If your model has variable flow settings, set the dial to the highest setting.
5. Squeeze the trigger lever and lock it in place so it stays open. This lets fluid flow through once the pump is primed.
6. Press the end of a garden hose (no nozzle) firmly against the pump inlet (where the red filter was). Keep a tight seal so water does not escape out the sides.
7. Turn the garden hose on and spray directly into the pump inlet while the sprayer is running. The backpack should start spraying within 10 to 20 seconds.
8. Once the sprayer begins spraying, stop the garden hose. Unlock and release the trigger lever, then turn the sprayer OFF.
9. Empty the tank if needed, then reinstall the red filter. Your sprayer is now ready for use.

Safety warnings:

• Always wear PPE (goggles, gloves, protective clothing) when working with sprayers, even if no chemical is present.
• Always release pressure before any maintenance.
• Always make sure all chemical has been removed and the sprayer is clean before maintenance.

Need a part? Order at shop.thefountainheadgroup.com. Warranty claim or registration? thefountainheadgroup.com/register. Anything else, call The Fountainhead Group at 1-800-311-9903.