The recent discussion regarding the 12 High-flow and my experiences on yesterdays job made me once again want to share with you guys my primary pump...the booster pump.
I use a combination of pumps, sometimes a 12 volt, but usually a booster. Sometimes I even apply with the 12v and rinse with the booster, depending on the circumstances. However 75% of the time, its just the booster pump.
These pumps are 110 volt electric, and capable of dispensing 8-12 gallons of fluid per minute with a pressure of less than 160 PSI. I'm not worried about PSI as much as I am volume. Volume gets the job done. Typically I can shoot the soffits on most three story apartment complexes with a booster pump. My method of delivery is a typical metal garden hose trigger gun.
These photos are from the leon county jail. That is a ten year build up of goo, algae and grime that was removed with a 30% solution, and only the force of the booster pump. PW never cranked up yesterday.
I have been using the 12 volt a lot more on concrete softwashing jobs, as I like the ability to control/restrict the flow around grass/landscaping. With the booster pump you will apply a lot of solution at a very high rate. Not the best for overly sensitive areas, but on these big commercial buildings, it the bomb!
Another nice part of this pump is the silence....unless we have to hook into the generator we typically use the customers electric.
Also, I have been as high a 100 feet in a lift and have had no noticeable loss of pressure with the booster pump! I can't say that for most 12 volts.
Ray, add a few pics of the church steeple, that will get the point across of what the booster can do! The head pressure on that pump must have been incredible to get the mix to those heights.
Back many many years ago, there was a roof cleaning franchise called Sprayaway that used these pumps.
LOL, I once saw their guys out cleaning, so I stopped to say hi.
I noticed the pumps was turned on, and had no bypass, so I kept the guy talking, then asked him for a demo!
The pump was turned on, with no pressure relief or bypass. LOL, he was unable to give me a demo!
These could work for me, but I would have to have a generator, and I think I would rig a bypass back to the tank, so the pump don't burn itself up, when you close the gun.
Chris I've never tried to pull from top, have always used a bottom drain tank. I honestly couldn't tell you the answer to this question. Honestly it could be a little bit of a liability on on a roof due to the volume of love it spits out. The ground guys really need to be on their toes when using this. But man it's the best thing in the world for washing a house. it will knock down a wasp nest on the second floor Soffit.
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Ray Burke
Spray Wash Exterior Cleaning
850.528.3226
visit our website Soft Washing and Pressure Washing
You may want to consider installing a pressure and flow regulator that bypasses back into the tank. This way, pressure and flow can be controlled! Plus, by bypassing some flow and pressure back into the tank, you will get agitation of your cleaning solution !