Water tank hose hook up?

[dr_detail]

Gas -- and not that ya asked, but it`s 10 years old and still working like a champ (knock on wood). FYI -- My first water tank was a 55 galllon plastic drum turned on it`s side, had the screw in bung that was tapped for a spigot. It cost me the whopping sum of $2.50. I would get 6 washes out of it.

[gentletouch]

How well did that work Dr D? One of my suppliers always has empty 55 gallon drums and I was wondering about that the other day.

[ohsoclean]

so if i get a 55 gallon drum it can be used as a water tank? no metal i imagine. but plastic . with a little mcgiver action i can make one of those big whit or blue barrels a water tank?

[dr_detail]

Yeah, it worked out fine, and served it`s purpose well. You lay them on their side. One end (what was the top) has two bungholes and the screw in plug centers are pre-tapped for standard pipe thread (a little cutting will be needed only on one). Add a spigiot, some hose, 4 eyebolts, two 24" pieces of 2x4`s as "chocks" and a pair of ratcheting tie-downs -- if you can`t figure out the rest, I`ll sell ya some plans for the low cost of $2.95 + postage.

You will need to loosen one of the plugs prior to firing up the pressure washer to eleminate a vacuum in the tank -- as well as tighten it up afterwards to prevent slosh. Which one to loosen is included with the plans. :rolling

[ohsoclean]

Wow what a money saver huh . im gettin the drift of what your basic plan is . I know theses white or blue poly barrels are 10.00 or 13.00 bucks brank new from a manufacturer , They have the holes on the top and are 55gallon. i have everyhtign but a pump from the barrel to the pressure washer. A spigot hooke up with shjortened hose to the inlket on a pressure washer probly wont flow enough water to be able to use it .i will def. need a decent gpm-ing pump ? thanks again

[dr_detail]

Originally posted by dr_detail
As long as the water from the tank gravity feeds into the pump, there should be no problem whatsoever with using any type of piston pump -- provided you do not run it dry.

[ohsoclean]

Thank s for al lthe help i will let you know how it works out . i just dont know what tank to get.... spend 99 on a 60 gallon top fill poly made water tank from northern tool catalog. Or 13 bucks for the 55 gallon drum. tip it support it.

[foris2]

Originally posted by J.D.
Not to bring up an old subject, but, If I have a water tank and just hook up a regular pressure washer... example... a Karcher 2400 psi model, would I then be able to just run the hose from the tank to the pressure washer with no problems? What I`m trying to say is, will the pressure washer draw water from the tank sufficiently?

J.D. - I use a Karcher 1600 psi electric when I detail cars. Very Importand: you would want to use a 10-15 foot hose running from your tank to your pressure washer. I do have a 12 volt utility pump hooked up but I seldom use it. If you`re using a Karcher 2400 psi model PW you won`t have any problem at all pulling the water from your water tank. I do have a 2850 psi gas pressure washer but I mainly use it when I`m Pressure washing houses, driveways, decks, etc..

ohsoclean - I carry a 100 gallon water tank on my truck and I average 10-12 washes because when it gets down to approximately 10 gallons I no longer get water flow because the water level gets below the water exit valve. On an average I guess I use 6-8 gallons of water per vehicle.

Foris

[J.D.]

thank you all for the useful replies.

foris2- why is it very important to have a 10-15 foot hose from the tank to the electric PW... just curious?
J.D.

[gentletouch]

One suggestion I would also add to the hose. Go to your local hardware store and have them cut you a 1" hose line and fit it with a 1" to standard garden fitting. The bigger the hose the more water to come out to the pw using the gravity method and no inbetween pump.

[J.D.]

gentletouch- thats a very good suggestion, i might just give that a try. thanks for the tip.

J.D.

[foris2]

Originally posted by J.D.
thank you all for the useful replies.

foris2- why is it very important to have a 10-15 foot hose from the tank to the electric PW... just curious?
J.D.

I have found that a shorter hose in length get better water flow through. I agree with Gentletouch - I also added the 12" 1" hose between my water tank and my pump, although hardly ever turn the pump on because I get such good water flow without it. Nonetheless, I suppose I should use it all the time because it will prolong the life of my pw pump.

Foris

[ohsoclean]

Well . heres the deal. The 55 gallon drum are good. I looked into my guy to get one . but i can get one from northen tool with a cradle and hook mount kit . (55 gallon) tank for 55 bucks! And a flotec pump to run from the pressure washer to the tank. Ether way i wish i could get a bigger tank but wieght is the issue. i mean all my money is into the s2000 and my bike . so when it came time to get this recently purchased work truck i got a ranger .... it was cheap but its only half ton . 55 gallons of water wieghs 467 and a half lbs. 8½ lbs per gallon of water i believe is the ratio . either way .. the tank plus the pressure washer , generator , compressor and all other do-dads on the ruck add up the thing is half ton. I will get 3 washes out of my tank ? my pump will be bottom mounted so most of the water will gravity feed to it i will set it as low as possible . how many feet of hose should i run from pump to washer ? its a 5gpm pump. thanks for everyhting ... very helpfull and interesting

[INTENSE]

i`ve set up a few tanks and in the process of setting one up now. any questions call 678-618-6864

[ohsoclean]

will do. as soon as the stuff arrives. ill give you a ring . thanks man.