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 sprayer is new or has been sitting unused, 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. Prime the pump manually one time; after that it primes itself on every use.

How to fix it:

1. First check whether you need to prime: fill the tank with about a gallon of clean water (no chemical), install the battery, turn the sprayer ON, point the shut-off safely, and squeeze the trigger. If water sprays, you are done; turn it off and empty the tank.
2. If the pump runs but no water sprays, empty the tank and rinse out any residue.
3. Remove the red cylindrical filter inside the tank: rotate it about 1/8 turn counterclockwise and pull straight up.
4. Point the shut-off in a safe direction, turn the sprayer ON, and if your model has variable flow, set it to the highest setting.
5. Squeeze the trigger and lock it open so fluid can flow once primed.
6. Press the end of a garden hose (no nozzle) firmly against the pump inlet where the filter was, keeping a tight seal.
7. Turn the garden hose on and spray into the pump inlet while the sprayer runs; it should start spraying within 10 to 20 seconds.
8. Once it sprays, stop the hose, release the trigger, and turn the sprayer OFF.
9. Reinstall the red filter. The sprayer is ready to use.
10. Safety: wear eye and hand protection, release pressure before any maintenance, and make sure all chemical is flushed out first.