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Need help?Do you have a question about the Sears CRAFTSMAN 390.260292 and is the answer not in the manual?
Explains the meaning of DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, and NOTICE symbols used in the manual.
Covers essential safety precautions for pump installation, servicing, and operation to prevent injury.
Details electrical hazards, grounding, GFCI outlets, and handling the pump safely.
Alerts users about risks like running the pump dry, pumping flammable liquids, or chemicals.
Guidance on locating and setting up the pump near water sources for optimal suction.
Instructions on connecting suction and discharge hoses, including thread types and material recommendations.
Steps for using the pump to increase water pressure, including hose and adapter requirements.
Steps for priming the pump, starting operation, and ensuring proper water flow.
Information on the motor and pump seal lubrication, noting they are factory-lubricated for life.
Details on servicing the pump, including electrical safety and the auto-reset thermal overload feature.
Step-by-step guide for safely taking apart the pump for maintenance or seal replacement.
Important warnings regarding electrical shock and handling the new seal during installation.
Diagram and list of all available replacement parts for the pump, including key numbers and descriptions.
Contact information for ordering specific replacement parts for the Craftsman pump.
This document is an owner's manual for a Craftsman Portable 1/2 H.P. Utility/Sprinkler Pump, Model No. 390.260292. It provides comprehensive instructions for installation, operation, maintenance, and repair, emphasizing safety throughout.
The Craftsman Portable Utility/Sprinkler Pump is designed for various water transfer applications, particularly for boosting water pressure for sprinklers or drawing water from sources like lakes, streams, and ponds. Its primary function is to move water efficiently and reliably. The pump is a non-submersible unit, meaning its motor must be kept dry at all times and protected from wet weather. It is equipped with a 1/2 horsepower motor, making it suitable for light to medium-duty pumping tasks. The pump is designed to handle clean water only; pumping water containing solids, foreign material, sand, silt, or abrasives can lead to clogging, damage to the shaft seal, and ultimately pump failure, which will void the warranty. Therefore, it is crucial to always use a suction strainer when the pump is operating and to clean the strainer and flush out the pump after each use.
For installation, the manual advises locating the pump as near as possible to the water source to minimize suction lift and placing it on a level support to protect against moisture and flooding. Long pipe runs and numerous fittings increase friction and reduce flow, so using the smallest possible number of fittings and the shortest run for piping is recommended. The pump's suction and discharge ports are tapped for 1" BSP (British Standard Pipe) threads, requiring hose adapters if using hoses. When drawing water from lakes, streams, or ponds, reinforced hose supplied with the pump should be used, as ordinary garden hose can collapse and cause pump failure. A foot valve with a strainer must be installed at the end of the suction hose and inspected and cleaned frequently. Air leaks in the suction pipe can prevent proper priming and reduce performance, so all hose and pipe connections in the suction line must be tight. The manual specifically warns against using pipe joint compounds on pump ports, recommending only Teflon tape or Plasto-Joint-Stik to seal threads, and advises tightening piping joints hand tight plus 1-1/2 turns to avoid overtightening, which can damage the pump and void the warranty.
When used as a booster pump for city water pressure, the manual cautions against running the pump with the hose outlet or nozzle closed, as excessive pressure can cause the hose or nozzle to burst. For high-pressure washing, only reinforced high-pressure hose or pipe should be used for the discharge line. Adapters are required for connecting garden hoses to the pump's suction and discharge ports. A standard washing machine supply hose or a modified short piece of 3/4" garden hose can serve as a suction line. The pump can supply up to three sprinklers, depending on their GPM output.
Operation of the pump involves several critical steps and warnings. Before starting, the pump body must be filled with water through the priming port. The manual explicitly states, "Do not run pump dry," as this can damage the impeller and seal, leading to leaks, flooding, and voiding the warranty. All suction connections must be airtight, and the suction lift should not exceed 20 feet (6.1M). Once primed, the pump should start pumping water within 10 minutes, depending on the length of the suction hose and the height of the pump above the water. A crucial safety warning highlights the risk of hazardous pressure: "Do not shut off hose or sprinklers while pump is running. Hose or sprinkler head may explode." Another critical warning concerns explosion hazard: "Never run pump with outlet shut off or blocked. If water is trapped in pump during operation, it may turn to steam, leading to explosion and burns."
Maintenance features are also covered. The motor is factory-lubricated for life, and the pump seal is water-cooled and self-lubricating. For pump service, a stern warning is given regarding hazardous voltage: "Disconnect motor from electrical power before servicing pump." The motor is equipped with an auto-reset thermal overload that cuts off power if the motor overheats and resets after cooling. If the overload trips repeatedly, the cause (e.g., low voltage, clogged impeller) should be investigated.
The manual includes detailed instructions for pump disassembly and seal replacement, accompanied by step-by-step illustrations. Before any work, the pump must be unplugged to avoid electric shock. When replacing the seal, extreme care must be taken not to scratch, nick, or crack the new seal, or scratch or gouge the pump shaft. The seal faces must be clean during installation. For capacitor replacement, the capacitor lead wires must be shorted together before removal to discharge any stored energy. When reinstalling the shroud, it is essential to ensure the green ground wire is solidly connected to the grounding terminal. During reassembly, the impeller must not bind on the diffuser, and the shaft should be turned by hand before tightening pump body bolts to confirm that the shaft and impeller move freely and are clear of the diffuser.
Safety is a paramount concern throughout the manual, with numerous warnings indicated by the safety alert symbol. These warnings cover risks such as serious personal injury, death, property damage, fatal shocks, fire, explosion, and hazardous pressure. Users are advised to read and follow all safety instructions, local and national plumbing and electrical codes, and to use only GFCI-protected, properly grounded outlets. If an extension cord is used, it must be UL approved, indoor/outdoor, 3-wire, grounding type, and kept dry. The manual also warns against pumping gasoline, flammable liquids, chemicals, or corrosive liquids.
The product comes with a full one-year warranty from Sears, covering repair or replacement free of charge if defective in material or workmanship. However, Sears explicitly states a limitation of liability, disclaiming responsibility for loss or damage to property or any incidental or consequential loss or expense directly or indirectly from the use of the product. Warranty service is available by contacting the nearest Sears Service Center/Department in the United States.
In summary, the Craftsman Portable 1/2 H.P. Utility/Sprinkler Pump is a versatile and robust device for water transfer, designed with user safety and ease of maintenance in mind, provided all instructions and warnings in the owner's manual are strictly followed.
General| SKU | 390.260292 |
|---|---|
| Category | Water Pump |
| Power Source | Electric |
| Max Head | 25 ft |
| Cord Length | 6 ft |
