[matt jones]

Hi guys,
I have a 500psi rhino machine which has an adjustable regulator but the only problem i am finding (as i am new to carpet cleaning) is what pressures i am using. This reason being as there is no gauge built into these machines. You cant just unscrew the regulator half way and say well that's about 250psi, cause that aint how pump pressures works. I am thinking of fitting a gauge to mine and just spoke to the supplier of where my machine was bought and he told me he can make up a kit to sort out this prob. He also told me they use to fit gauges to their machines but stopped doing it now due to the gauges always busting and being unreliable. Just wondered if anyone else has done the same thing or had the same prob?

[Mike Halliday]

buy a pressure gauge and just screw a quick connector on it. then attach it to your solution line.... easy-peasy

gauges too close to the pump ( without a pulsation dampener) can be effected by vibration., so knackers the gauge.

Mike

[John Kelly]

You don't need to worry what pressure you are using just adjust it to the job in hand. Loads of variable machines without guages. Turn it up for carpets and down for fabrics.

[Mike Halliday]

I think John missed the sentence as i am new to carpet cleaning

so what do you suggest he does 'turns it up to full 500psi for carpets & 'turns it down to the lowest (50psi) for fabric.

a beginner needs to know what pressure he's working at, with some machines fitted with a 100psi shurflo or Flojet pump it would'nt really matter but when you've got 500psi to work with you need to know.

Mike

[John Kelly]

So how does he know what pressure to use?

Perhaps I should have elaborated. For upholstery, depending on the hand tool you are using, you need to adjust it so that you aren't getting bounce back or overspray which means spray is going over adjacent furniture etc. For carpets You need to be using a pressure which is cleaning but not over wetting the carpet.
I'm afraid this only comes with experience but it shouldn't take long to get the hang of it.

[Chris R]

http://www.aandmcsstore.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Accessories_14.html

 

[matt jones]

Thanks for the reply lads i appreciate it. Mike where is the best place to buy one from? By the way you got my point exactly obviosly it aint so bad with carpets but with upholstery could be a disaster waiting to happen surely lol. Plus i am gonna be getting myself a more appropriate hand tool and this will effect which one i go for.
Chris thanks for the link to that site mate haven't come across that site before and it looks quite good do you know if they do one that goes up to 500 psi?
regards
matt

[Mike Halliday]

I could make one of them for £25,

buy gauge of Ebay For £6-8 male/female QC £12, 'T' Junction and other part are comp'air fittings quite cheap.

Mike

[Chris R]

do you know if they do one that goes up to 500 psi?
regards
matt

Hi matt,
you would have to email them to see if they do a 500psi model. A & M are a very well known and respected company, you can buy with confidence from them.
I have a truck mount and very rarely go over 400psi, you shouldnt really need to go over 350psi with a portable. You are in danger of over wetting the carpet using 500psi with only twin vacs 
regards
Chris

[matt jones]

Mike couldn't you just buy a gauge and connect a male fitting to it then connect that to your solution line just to get a reading before cracking on with the work??? Why do you need all those other bits?

[Damian]

Matt that is only standing or back pressure. to connect with all gubbins gives you working pressure-ie when you are spraying-the working pressure of pump. by doing it that way you can also check the condition of ya pump at regular intervals

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I cleaned 1 of my rugs today at 900psi with my CFR wonder wand, it was poetry in motion and felt dry in 15 mins without a turbo. I checked the backing and it wasn't wet either.

Shaun

[Damian]

900 psi Shaun pretty good going to dry as quick mate. what blower you got on that t/m? by the way did you not see me wave at ya last weds in the "marsh"?

[carpetguy]

Have enjoyed similar CFR experiences. fantastic to know you can dwell on wool carpets without fear of shrinkage.

robbie

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Damian I was eating a sarni, but tried to wave, lost a bit of the bloody thing as well!

Shaun

[Damian]

Shaun i hope it wasnt spicy meat balls from subway in ya lap? : what you doing on my patch anyway? long way from home mate was thinking of texting ya some b and b's

[Cloverleaf]

Hi Mat,

Would agree with Mike about plugging in a pressure guage.....I have the same.
I use this, but gradually wind up the pressure so as not to dammage the guage.

Find a pressure that you are comfotable working with. I find 250 to 300 on a porty is fine with a 2 jet wand, 500 psi may well empty your tank fairly fast without improving results.
John

[matt jones]

Just one question lads,
with a device like the one pictured on this page, would you fit it between the machine and solution line or between the solution line and the wand or does it not really matter?

matt

[matt jones]

Oh and another thing lol apparently using a psi gauge like this will not be very accurate on my machine due to the way in which the regulator works. So to be honest there is no real way of knowing what pressure you are using which is really helpful when you are starting out notttttttttt.

[Mike Halliday]

who told you that ?

put it at the end of the solution line and turn on your machine, this will tell you the trapped pressure, then pull your trigger, this will tell you the working psi.

Mike