Extractor on a budget

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IC3DT3

New member
I don't normally post a lot, as I prefer to read and learn from the experience of you other pros. But I thought I'd share this with you pros and weekend warriors who would like to take your interior cleaning to the next level but don't have the cash/capital to spend $700+ on an extractor like myself.



I decided to build my own following an idea I saw on another forum. Basically an extractor is a high-powered wet/dry vac with a water heater and pump. So using the Rigid vacuum that I already had, I replicated the other parts.



I started with this pump. SHURflo OnDemand Diaphragm Pump — 1 GPM, 60 PSI, 12 Volt | Sprayer Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment It's on-demand so it won't burn up by constantly running, self-priming and dry startable. I then wired it to a 12v plug and added an On/OFF switch. I haven't mounted the switch yet, but you can see where it will go.

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I mounted the pump directly to the lid of the 5 gallon solution bucket and drilled a hole to run the pickup tube through.
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The pump comes with 3/8" hose barbs, but I wanted something easy to set up and break down. I used a very short length of hose to convert it to a standard air hose quick-connect.
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Then I used an old 30' air hose for the rest of the length.



Then I used this standard extractor wand. Hand/Upholstery Tool Economy Detailer 3 1/2 Inch I cut off the standard quick-connect and replaced it with and air hose quick-connect. The tool fits into a standard 1.25" hose. I wrapped it with a bit of tape to make it more air-tight and less likely to slip out.



All put together, (minus the vac hose) it looks like this.

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Now all you need to do is fill the bucket with the hot water. I intend to buy a bucket heater like this Bucket Heater so I can use it even if I don't have access to hot water. I also use All Fiber Rinse in the bucket. It also seems to be a natural defoamer, as I've yet to have a problem with foaming.



Here are some pics of it in action and results

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Materials

Pump - $60

Fittings - about $10-15

Nozzle - $69

Hose - around $5-10 at Home Depot, in plumbing section

Air Hose - Free for me, but one can be bought for $20-30

Bucket Heater (optional) $51



Altogether, I spent about $150 plus shipping on this setup, not much more than a Bissel LGCM, but it's every bit as powerful as an extractor 5X the price. If an extractor is not in your budget, this is your solution.



Feel free to ask any questions.
 
Jean-Claude said:
Next all you need to do is add a heating element and you have a $800 hot water extractor. :D
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Yeah, I was looking at adding this heater. Bucket Heater

Sounds like the ticket for only $50



todd@bsaw said:
Wow, that's impressive and inventive! Thumbs up for you!
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Thanks! I'm just glad I can give a little back after getting so much info from here.
 
Great job putting this together and thanks for sharing. So the 12v pump being “on demand” only draws power and pumps the water whenever you press the trigger on the vacuum handle?

Once you get your bucket water heater you can probably add a thermostat to give you a reading of how hot the water is. That would be a cool added feature.
 
Hemin8r said:
Great job putting this together and thanks for sharing. So the 12v pump being “on demand” only draws power and pumps the water whenever you press the trigger on the vacuum handle?

Once you get your bucket water heater you can probably add a thermostat to give you a reading of how hot the water is. That would be a cool added feature.
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Thanks! Yeah basically it's rated for 60 PSI. So once the line is "pressurized" to 60 PSI it cuts out. It then cuts in when the pressure drops, i.e. when you pull the trigger. It will keep the pressure up for a good distance, too. With the 30' solution hose and 25ish' vac hose, I can leave both the solution bucket and the vac in the bed of the truck, which is really efficient and looks neater. I'll post some pics up later of it all hooked up and stretched out.



The thermostat is a good idea. Maybe I could mount one to the bucket lid? Any ideas?
 
IC3DT3 said:
Thanks! Yeah basically it's rated for 60 PSI. So once the line is "pressurized" to 60 PSI it cuts out. It then cuts in when the pressure drops, i.e. when you pull the trigger. It will keep the pressure up for a good distance, too. With the 30' solution hose and 25ish' vac hose, I can leave both the solution bucket and the vac in the bed of the truck, which is really efficient and looks neater. I'll post some pics up later of it all hooked up and stretched out.



The thermostat is a good idea. Maybe I could mount one to the bucket lid? Any ideas?
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Yeah the bucket lid would be the best place to put it. I'm looking around the net to see what temperature gauges I can find.
 
it does both, the on demand pump is for spraying water and the vacuum is for sucking it out. if he just wanted to suck water out, why wouldnt he just use a shop vac?? LOL
 
The bucket holds the new solution or hot water and the waste goes into the vacuum tank.



I did the same thing with my Nomad Power Washer. I got it on clearance for $39 and it already holds 3.5 gallons of solution and has an on demand pump built in. I bought an extractor hose and nozzle with trigger from rug doctor (it included the full length chemical and vacuum hoses) for $80, so my grand total was $119.
 
I just read through this now, has anyone else use this on this tutorial? I think I will start to piece this this week end. thank you for sharing
 
I have recently just started to use hot water only in my "makeshift extractor." It just got even easier folks. My hot water heater is it my garage...so...I just connected a heavy duty garden hose to the drain outlet of the heater, cut off the other end and used a reducer to connect it to the supply hose of the extractor handle and hose kit I got from rug doctor, and connect the suction hose of the kit to my wet vac. The rug doctor hose and handle kit was $89 and I already had the hose. There is plenty of on demand pressure for hot water, the only downside is that this setup isn't portable...but I don't need that anyway.
 
UPDATE:

Just got the bucket heater. Works really well. I am figuring out the best way to mount and wire everything. Pictures coming soon. Still looking for a good thermometer. The one mentioned above maxes out at 158 degrees F. The heater is supposed to get the water a good bit hotter than that. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
wow, that is something else. Pretty neat for sure though as it beats dropping $1,000 on a extractor. I mean if you have the money and can afford a extractor great but if you can't this looks like the way to go.



Where did you go about reading how to do this? I'm going to have a spare vacuum soon and might want to attempt this little project.



Thanks.
 
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