So, gravity feed is a no-go (?????)

Tex Star Detail

Tex Star Detail

Formerly TexasTB
Pressure Washers........Gravity fees does not work for me. When I fire up the pressure washer, and pull the trigger on the wand, it pulsates. high/low/high/low........
I got everything bolted down, lines ran.....etc.....
The line coming from the tank, is almost even with the inlet on the pressure washer pump. I know that is probably the reason, but it is just frustrating....


So here is my question(s).
1. Should I buy a pump? If so, WHICH ONE? Link? Picture?
2. Should I lift the tank (Again)? I have it sitting on on 4x4's now, but didn't think it was high enough, so I added 2x4's on top of that. Total of 6 inches off the trailer .
Help would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some pics of the PW setup...
2057778_36_full.jpg

2057778_37_full.jpg

2057778_38_full.jpg

2057778_39_full.jpg
 
Tex..your setup looks good....but can I make a suggestion I would turn the PW so the pump is not facing that direction...reason being it leaves it unprotected from mishaps....put the pump facing the water tank so that way it is sorta protected ......

That housing is just cast aluminum and can snap very easy...like a mishap backing up...or any thing...a garage door...LOL..but leaving like that will cause a problem later down the road...


Also when you tried it did you crack the cap to vent it so a flow will be created...

here is a type of pump that may be useful to u..the one shown is broke ..but used pic for a idea of what to look for

http://cgi.ebay.com/12V-MARINE-UTIL...ryZ46547QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

hope this helps you

Al
 
Have you tried it with the cap off, it may not be getting enough air for the water to flow.
I had a similar problem with a boat, the vent got clogged and it starved the engine of fuel.

Good luck

Your setup is looking real good

"J"
 
Just went out to vent the cap....did the same thing. So, I dedcided to look at something. I disconnected the hose from the pressure washer, and opened the valve wide open. The water was really sluggish coming out. So....I took the valve off completely (only the hose from the tank)......and it had garden hose pressure. So here is what I found. The shut-off valve is too restrictive. I took it off to look at it, and the water has to go through half a circle.
Pics......
Valve is FULLY OPEN,,,,
2057778_40_full.jpg

2057778_41_full.jpg

I'll be off to Lowes to get a new one tomorrow. Better try that before sinking money in a pump.
 
Before buying a pump....loosen the cap on the tank. Air lock going to the pump could be causing the problem.If this is teh case drill a 1/2" hole in the cap.
Also,direct drive pump must be primed(remember they are meant to be force fed not pull water)...i.e. before you start the machine pull the trigger on the gun and make sure water is coming out.Then start the machine.(this purges any air in you pressure hosee)
Check all fitting and make sure they are tight.Air leaks will also cause pulsation.
You should be able to force feed this machine from the tank with the amount of waster you have in it.
I agree turn the machine.
Try these things ASAP and if tehy don't work call me.I'll try and walk you through it to see if we can get you running properly.
 
AL,
I mounted it at that angle, to get a straight hose from the tank to the washer. I wanted to have the shortest hose to the washer. I will probably move it in just a few inches though. I will be having sides put on the trailer also, with expanded metal in betweent the "rails". If not, I will have a half cage built around it.
 
Have you thought of using a ball valve. You know by looking at it whether it's wide open or not and they are designed for full flow.

JMHO
"J"
 
will be picking one up tomorrow.

Nice rig. Do I see a hot water washer???

Was also thinking of a top rack like yours. Save a little space with ladders and canopy...... :rockon
 
Yes we have hot water .We are a pressure washing company residential/commercial concrete and buildings,as well as,fleetwashers...Trucks,trailers,buses and we do chemical roof cleaning.About $8k in this rig and I still want/need more toys for it to work faster and more profitable.
 
Ever heard of "Hotsy"? I imagine so...I stopped at their shop today to BS and get a look at their rigs they were selling. Pretty pricey, but VERY well set-up. I could only dream of owning a FULL set-up like yours. Down the road though. I will have bigger trailer. I thought the 4x8 was going to PLENTY big. I am finding out that it will be tight. When I mount a generator, it will take up the rest of the rear...............

Until then I :bow to your trailer
 
Hotsy machines are nice and yes very pricey.The thing about most hot water skids and pressure washers in general is...the manufacturers all use basically the same parts with different frame set-ups.
Yes,trailer space does run out quickly.Our's is 6'6" x12" and I wish it was 14' at times.I hoping to go to a 7' x 14' enclosed in the fall.The weather really takes a toll on the equipment if you don't keep it covered.
Our rig is a mess right now,we have had the busiest Jan - Feb in 4 yrs.I haven't had time to keep thing clean but that's a good thing.I beats having it spotless because we have a lot of down time.
 
Good choice. My neighbor bought a trailer just like that and didn't have any water treatment done to the boards. They are as warped as they can be right now after sitting outside all winter. Total waste of money on his part.
 
I also bolted them down good. 2 bolts on each board for each cross bar/brace. I think that came out to 8 bolts per board...I think.
 
It should be working the way you have it set up. its about the same way i had mine setup when i was using the gravity fed method. Maybe you do need to lift the tank some more. It also could be the size of the hoses and the size of the fixtures your using. I went out to the garage and snapped a few pics of the hoses and fixtures i'm using, maybe you can see something in them that can help you out. Also in the last one, i'm pointing at the valve you need to recycle the water back to the tank.



tankfixture.jpg



Picture0103.jpg



Picture0045.jpg
 
Went to Lowes this morning and picked up a new valve.

Got it all hooked up, filled the tank, vented the cap, fired the washer up, and CRAP!!!!!!! Pulsating again!!!!!!!

Took a few minutes to check everything over. Where I had the black hose, I took it off and added a larger clear hose, like the one coming off the tank. Everytime I pulled the trigger, I would see the hose fill with air.....Hmmmmm

The fitting was cracked, so the pump was sucking air in. Good thing I had another one in the toolbox. Replaced it and fired the washer back up.
Works awesome!!!!!

Now I have a few clean spots on my fence, the car, the driveway, and sidewalk.......Looks like crap...hahahha...I guess I have to finish blasting the fence at least.....

Thanks everyone for helping out with this matter. Everyone that sent me PM's with info and links and to everyone that posted!!!!!. :thanks

Guess I should post this smiley too...... :dcrules
 
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