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garyw · Nov 22, 2012

Pumps are driving me crazy!!

Yorkie · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Happy Thanksgiving to all, well I`m having a flamin` nightmare lately!! I`ve been cleaning roofs the Non-Pressure way for just over a year now ( probably 150 roofs ) and as opposed to the splash and dash with the cash crews, we take time and care with covering plants using lawn sprinklers before during and after, if I`m honest I`m pretty crap at knowledge of pumps wiring and all that tech knowledge that I`ve read about but it might aswell be in Chinese.

lately I`ve had major problems not getting the mix on the roof due to pumps ( 12v northstar 5gpm ) either turning over but not delivering any mix or when it does it`s really crappy pressure or just doing jack shit, I read about air leaks etc and check for such but I`m obviously not doing something right, I`ve used up 5 pumps in the last year 3 over the first 9 months and 2 in the last 3 months!! with the latest breaking down after one hour

so it`s a case of getting a bit of the roof done then dashing down the ladders to push or poke the pump usually the connectors to the electric tabs get 10 minutes more then off back down the ladders, time been eaten away all the while, it`s sooooo frustrating but i`ve got leg muscles like I had when I served in the Airborne 30 years ago lmao

I`ve got 5 roofs booked for next week any ideas fellas? or should I go back to jumping out of Hercules aircraft ?

many thanks in advance

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Nov 22, 2012

No one knows pump pain like I do. Ive seemed to work out most of the problems. First ?, are those past 5 pumps you've used the same Northstar pump, or are you continuingly have problems regardless of which pump? Are some of them flat-out crapping out on you, or are they just getting weak? What size wire and what strand wire are you wiring the pumps with? How many connections from tank to pump, then pump to nozzle? What size nozzles? What kind of batteries and whats the charging system? What size hose and how long? How much surfactant are you using?

If you are not sure of any these questions whether they're the right or wrong way, you need to find out. These pumps are not designed to go 2-3 floors up. When you start having problems it is frustrating as to what area is giving you the problem; the pump, the wiring, the battery, the charging system, the hose, the nozzle, air leaks, etc.

I keep 2 pumps wired up to every truck. Even if the back up is merely a 1.2 gpm pump, with the right nozzle it can surely get you through the day.

garyw · Nov 22, 2012

Simon;

If you've gone thru that many pumps, you definately have a problem. I would start first by checking the flow thru your hoses. Some types of hoses break down rather quickly and can even stop a hose up with particles flaking off. What size hose do you use? With a 12v pump, the bigger the better, 1/2 or 3/4' works best and lets your pump run cooler and will increase your shooting distance. If your hose is stopped up it will cause your pump, (and electrical connections) to overheat and go "open". Check this out before you fry another pump.

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Nov 22, 2012

I beg to differ with bigger is better. The larger the hose the more head pressure you create which creates more cycling, which leads to dead pumps.

Yorkie · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Many thanks as usual I think I`ll drive up to PWP and let them sort me out it`ll be quicker i should think, anyway isn`t it time we all went on the piss to celebrate Thanksgiving ( " going on the piss " is an english term used to describe having a few beers, well a bit more than that )

Apex Roof Cleaning · Guest

This is why I purchased the fatboy, initial cost maybe a little higher, but the cost of headaches down the road is very minimal. This year I had a relay go bad, that was it. At the time, I thought it was the pump, I had a second pump on the truck, I replaced pumps, 30mins later I was back in business. Also since I purchased from Bob, I have his help.

We often have to go up 2 stories, shooting up to 3 stories, I agree with ED and column pressure. The other BIG help with saving pumps, is the ACCUMULATOR! This is a must have, saves your pump from constant cycling.

Dan

Nov 22, 2012

Simon, if and when you drive up here let me know. Maybe we can hook up and do lunch.

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Nov 22, 2012

garyw wrote:
WOW---here we go again. I've been told by a lot of {people} that bigger sure is better.
I guess my fatboy that lasted over 2 years didn't know how lucky it was that I use 3/4" hose
Have a GREAT thanksgiving and go play with your "little hose".
I'm just thankful to have a BIG hose with a lot of head pressure.

-- Edited by garyw on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 11:20:11 AM

Gary, who are these people that told you? I want names and addresses. A Fatboy @ 7gpm may be the exception for 3/4". I would say not with 5gpms or less. Its a double edged sword when it comes to 3/4" hose. Most small pumps can handle 3/8" hose, but not for roof cleaning. Do you really know whats going on with your pump when your 2 stories up on a roof? Most have know idea how much cycling is going on.

Guest

1/2 inch hose is perfect for the 5850 or the fatboy. I use 5/8 inlet hose and I have been using the same pump since April and it has well over 200 roofs and just around 30-40 house washes on it.

Guest

garyw wrote:
WOW---here we go again. I've been told by a lot of {people} that bigger sure is better.
I guess my fatboy that lasted over 2 years didn't know how lucky it was that I use 3/4" hose
Have a GREAT thanksgiving and go play with your "little hose".
I'm just thankful to have a BIG hose with a lot of head pressure.

-- Edited by garyw on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 11:20:11 AM

gary its hard to kill a pump when you dont use it very often. hahaha. just breakin stones. happy t day.

Liberty SoftWash · Nov 22, 2012

All flo is on its 4 th yr that's all I am saying!!!

gutterdog · Nov 22, 2012

I Delavan 2gpmed it for a couple years? I use an off brand name 4.6 gpm pump, 1/2 in inlet I think and 250 or 300 ft of line. The line is 3/8 I think, or 5/8?

Funny how I dont remember, guess that a good thing?

Nov 22, 2012

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
All flo is on its 4 th yr that's all I am saying!!!

biggrin smile

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Nov 22, 2012

No doubt air pumps are better. Lets say you wanted to add trucks, like 5 of them. Would you still go air?

garyw · Nov 23, 2012

Roof Cleaning New Jersey wrote:
No doubt air pumps are better. Lets say you wanted to add trucks, like 5 of them. Would you still go air?

If I could find 5 more set ups like I got, big air compressor and 1" air pumps, for the same money, less than $700.00, You bet I would. Not the first problem all year and ability to shoot as far as you like. Don't get no better than this.

Liberty SoftWash · Nov 23, 2012

I would if I owned 5 trucks. Pull up to house mix and spray with no worries. I don't like any thing to do with charging the battery's. They for themselves the first couple of months then all profit!

Guest

Yes, I really like the simplicity of the air pump,..takes up more room as a working unit,..but,..they are just about flawless,..and I like the sound of a compressor running on a job site.

Jeff

gutterdog · Nov 23, 2012

garyw wrote:
Roof Cleaning New Jersey wrote:
No doubt air pumps are better. Lets say you wanted to add trucks, like 5 of them. Would you still go air?
If I could find 5 more set ups like I got, big air compressor and 1" air pumps, for the same money, less than $700.00, You bet I would. Not the first problem all year and ability to shoot as far as you like. Don't get no better than this.

But that thing is so big and scary!!!

gutterdog · Nov 23, 2012

I got an air compressor. 4.2cfm at 90 psi. higher cfm at 40 psi i think? its 110 volt but so is the burner. Got 4 5 years of dust on it. Is that good enough for an air pump?

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"