Pb2theMax said:
I've never used a Foam Gun, but this is my favorite shut off valve to use with a nozzle. It's easy to hold down, and shuts off when you let go. Plus it seems to restrict the water flow very little...
I have a pair of those, use them with the foamguns much, but not all, of the time. So don't take the following as an :argue or a flame or anything because if I hated them I wouldn't be using them.
My take on them is a little different, and not as positive. I *only* use this shut off with the foamguns, preferring the traditional type for other nozzles/etc.
I noticed a significant decrease in water flow, *so* significant that I debated even using them and I wasn't sure how they'd work for people who don't have my boosted pressure (volume and pressure are different but the boosted pressure still helps). Despite my reservations, they still seem to work OK with the foamguns, but there does seem to be a slight decrease in the force of the foam/suds. IMO people will have to judge the flow for themselves.
IMO the added length of this shut off has a adverse impact on the handling of the foamgun- your hand has to control the lever and this positions your hand too far back from the foamgun to exercise direct control over *it* (e.g., to avoid bumping the vehicle with the bottle). Whether this matters or not depends on how the foamgun is being used, which is why I use it for some jobs but not for others.
IMO people will simply have to try this one out for themselves and be prepared to eat the shipping if they don't like it (at least Griot's has that return policy). If the above sounded really critical, consider that mine are still getting plenty of use and with the shipping arrangement for my upcoming return to Griot's (a heavy floorjack
) I could send them back for free if I didn't like them. I'm gonna keep them and keep using them.
I've put quick-disconnects on both ends of this shut off valve. The pair of them allow a) the foamgun to swivel freely for optimal control over where the bottle is (no bumping) and b) also allow the shut off itself to swivel freely on the end of the hose, ensuring control over the lever being where I do/don't want it to be (in the wrong position I can't set it down across the top of my rinse bucket without it spraying).
