[Jettaway]

Morning all,

Before I came on here I was always a hose to pressure washer guy. But after reading up on it decided to buy a wheelie bin and go down the suction hose to pressure washer road.

Used this method for the first time yesterday. My washers a 15lpm.  I was too happy with the Suction really- . RFC wasn't spinning as fast as it should be and the flow rate was quite juddery,  job ended up taking twice as long as it should have. The buffer tank (wheelie bin) over flowed at once and nearly did a second time, so there must have been a higher flow rate out the tap than there was the suction hose.

Ended up putting the hose straight into the washer.

What do you guys think, is it not worth a buffer tank for 15lpm or did this garden tap just have an exceptionally high flow rate.

[Great Outdoors]

Simple answer to overflowing add float to inlet on wheelie bin  what pump are u using on machine some models do not like sucking require larger head of water, check inline filters if you haven't already. Worth having tank as some properties will not have enough water flow to supply washer.

[Blast Away]

You've probably knackered your valves in the pump from the direct feed and now it won't suck properly.

[johnny bravo]

great outdoors,  on your buffer tank do you just throw the water hose in from customers tap,    or have you a fixed connection fitted so you can  push fit the hose onto buffer,    have you any pics showing how to fit float onto buffer tank,      ill be using a wheely bin to get going     id like to get this fixed first,  buffer tank set up.    i usually need to see something to get an idea how to fix on fittings etc.         
if you have time and cant post pics on here like me ,   send some to           ts1cleaning@gmail.com
or if anyone can help out with pics would be great.
i got some sent via phone but  had to log into virginmedia too much hassle , couldnt get them via phone.      best and easier attaching in email.     big thanks.

[Gray1]

Some customers have those out side taps that are piggybacked to a pipe, they pierce a small hole in the pipe, OK for filling a watering can but lack enough volume of water to keep up with a comercial pressure washer. Hence the need for a buffer tank.
Can you fit a conector to the bottom of the 'tank' so that you have some pressure to the pump?
If you had more than enough water that the bin was overflowing I suspect the pump has an issue it might be something as silly as not being able to suck, not all do.
Check with the makers of the pump.

[Great Outdoors]

great outdoors,  on your buffer tank do you just throw the water hose in from customers tap,    or have you a fixed connection fitted so you can  push fit the hose onto buffer,    have you any pics showing how to fit float onto buffer tank,      ill be using a wheely bin to get going     id like to get this fixed first,  buffer tank set up.    i usually need to see something to get an idea how to fix on fittings etc.         
if you have time and cant post pics on here like me ,   send some to           ts1cleaning@gmail.com
or if anyone can help out with pics would be great.
i got some sent via phone but  had to log into virginmedia too much hassle , couldnt get them via phone.      best and easier attaching in email.     big thanks.

In general we used van based Ibc's, these have floats so what ever the supply is simply attach to float, to stop tanks overflowing. Dont really know what else you want me to say havent got a pic its a simple float valve, have a look at exchange engineering they stock them   

[chris scott]

If it all works perfect when you connect the hose to it....sounds like you where drawing air somewhere. Drop the return into a bucket full of water is it "blowing bubbles" ?

[Jettaway]

Thanks for the replies.

I haven't checked pump or valves yet, its my job for the weekend.

Pump is a 'triplex 1508a'

I did a couple of flow rate tests the other night,
My garden tap is about 13lpm
Suction hose (natural syphon) about 7lpm
Suction hose through pressure washer 5lpm

Surprised me the flow rate was lower when connected to pressure washer.

Sounds like either pump doesn't suck, but I'm hoping its just a problem with pump

[mark bowditch]

Hi Chris
I bet you are using 1/2 hose pipe first of all down to your local plumbing shop and get a 3/4 tank connector
Solvent weld type a gas shut off vale tell them what you want to do and I'm sure they will supply the bits

Do not buy this at a plumbers shop a flow rate will be to low Plastic float valve for inlet on wheelie bin

From a pressure washing  supplier
<http://www.landypressurewashers.com/Landy_QuickCouplingsValvesAndFilters.html>

Most part is on the link above
Plastic float valve to inlet on wheelie bin 20 litres per minute+
Claw type hose barb quick connectors
Use a minimum 3/4 hose pipe preferably 1"" no more than 3 m in length
Like in the picture, when you open the valve you will get 15 litres in seconds
If it cant quite understand e-mail me and I'll e-mail you my number
[/img]


Can't upload pictures for some reason I have e-mailed them to you instead your website e-mail[/u]
mark@grimeforce.co.uk

I have Upload a pictures here
http://s1296.beta.photobucket.com/user/markbow2/media/IMG_28012_zpsd4e97ab3.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

[Kenny83]

Before taking your pump apart, connect your washer to a tap and turn the tap on with the gun closed, if it loeaks anywhere then you are sucking in air, sort that out first, if its still isnt right then look at valves etc as you would have probably been using it on less than 15 lpm from a tap so would have caused unnessasary wear on your pump

[Blast Away]

Good shout mark. Chris how big is your suction hose? I've known a lad to try sucking with a garden hose.

[chris scott]

If it all works perfect when you connect the hose to it....sounds like you where drawing air somewhere. Drop the return into a bucket full of water is it "blowing bubbles" ?

Check above.  At a guess your pump is Chinese.... if it is don't spend money repairing it.

[Kenny83]

The bore of the hose doesnt matter as long as its reinforced and not garden hose and at least 1/2 inch, if you take the hose tail of the pump and look at the inlet the inlet is only half inch anyway, hence the reason 21 litre machines have 2 suction pipes on them now... even though the hose is 3/4 it will still only narrow to the half inch on the pump
And a quick fix untill you get your float valve fitted is to drill a hole near the top where your float valve will be going and temporarilly insert a piece of hose pipe tha runs out of your van, this will act as an overflow to get you by untill you fit a stop cock float

[Kenny83]

Just googled the pump, yes its chinese.... time to upgrade...

[mark bowditch]

Hi Kenny83
if you are using gravity fed form a wheelie bin the bore size does matter in my opinion but not going  to argue the point
on my machine has a 3/4 inlet hole
Mark

[Kenny83]

Hi Mark, I know what you mean mate, lets not fall out lol. In my experience I have used 1/2 inch hose and worked fine, aslong as its not cheap garden hose that sucks in, reinforced works fine for 15 lpm. The inlets are only half inch on the pump so it has to go through there anyway. i was just sharing my experience 

[mark bowditch]

Hi Kenny83

No problem mate just trying to explain to Chris as shown in the picture link that the machine does not have to suck if it is gravity fed
I always found 1"worked perfectly and machine can then take what it needs
Agree with you 100% about reinforced pipe

All the best mark

[Kenny83]

sorry, i didnt even know there was a pic Mark.
 

[mark bowditch]

I could not upload a picture never had a problem before tried three times and they were small files

personally I think LEE AT Blast Away has used all the space up

mark

[Jettaway]

Thank your for all the replies guys.

Suction hose is 3/4. My washers a Kiam.. Massive waste of money. Im going to have a look at the pump later on this afternoon, so will keep you all informed.