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>place, and it worked good for a while, but if it sits unused for any
>length of time, then all the water drains out, and it takes a lot of
>effort to get it primed again.  One solution to this (which I haven't
>tried yet) is to get a small in-line check valve (again from the local
>RV supply) so the water doesn't drain out.
>

To get over this incredibly easily, take the filler cap off, take a deep 
breath, pucker up and blow into the tank. The water will rise obediently to 
the pump, which you can then use like normal. tim (iron lung) s.