downstream injector installation questions

Christopher said:
Also found out that the regular injectors will restrict the flow somewhat, especially noticeable when running a surface cleaner so that is why I remove the injector when running the surface cleaner when cleaning concrete.
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Hey Christopher,..I always have a regular General Hi-Draw injector in place when running my surface cleaner,..simply because it's easier than taking it out. BUT,..I didn't realize it affected flow,...which is what surface cleaners like. So,..in your opinion,... or anyone else's for that matter,...are these injectors restricting flow enough to make it worth the time of removing them? I'm only running about 5 GPM so don't have an over abundance of flow to give up. I always just assumed the flow would be the same with or without an injector in line.

Jeff
 
814jeffw said:
Hey Christopher,..I always have a regular General Hi-Draw injector in place when running my surface cleaner,..simply because it's easier than taking it out. BUT,..I didn't realize it affected flow,...which is what surface cleaners like. So,..in your opinion,... or anyone else's for that matter,...are these injectors restricting flow enough to make it worth the time of removing them? I'm only running about 5 GPM so don't have an over abundance of flow to give up. I always just assumed the flow would be the same with or without an injector in line.

Jeff
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I have a video of mine someplace


Text me for info on Milwaukee event. 480-522-5227
 
I noticed on several accounts that it did affect the flow so I remove them when using the surface cleaner.

I have a coupler on the inlet and a plug on the outlet so I can connect it between the jumper from the pressure washer and the hose reel. I have been doing this for many years now. I just tried using the surface cleaner on some concrete with the injector in place and it did not clean as good or as fast in my opinion so I shut down the machine, relieved the pressure in the line and took the injector out, put the jumper back into the hose reel swivel jumper and started the machine again and was running within a minute or two. There was a big difference in how the surface cleaner was working now without the injector there.

I thought about making a manifold with ball valves to just switch from using the injector to not using it but it would cost about $100 to $140 depending on where you get the parts from just to do this so I just shut the machine down and add or remove the injector depending on what I am doing. I can make this change quickly as it is just part of what I do and I have both machines rigged up the same way so I can do the same thing with the 8gpm or 5.6gpm machines.

Another benefit of having the injector rigged up with the coupler on the inlet and plug on the outlet is that if the injector goes bad, you can shut down and change it out with the spare in less than a couple minutes to get running again. You just have to have the spare injector plumbed the same way so it is ready to change out. Then later on after the job is over you can try to repair the injector.

As many times in the past that I have tried to repair the injector, they never seemed to work right if at all, seems like when they go bad it is time to just replace them. Anyone else feel the same way about this repair issue? I don't think I am the only one that feels this way about the repair kits. I am guessing that it is the orifice or the cone on the outlet of the injector that is worn and will not create a good vacuum for the injector to pull chemicals. I would change out the spring, o-ring and ball but they would never work the same if at all so that is what I am guessing why they would not work. Maybe Russ, Paul or others will talk more about this.
 
Thanks Christopher,...I have the injector connected from a whip hose to the main line with quick connects,..and you're right,..it doesn't take much time to disconnect,..and run without the injector,...till now though I never seen a reason to do so. I will try the surface cleaner the next time without the injector inline and see how it goes,...And thanks for the information.

Jeff
 
Sirocco Jerry said:
Thanks for reminding me..
..I'm putting this in my Pressure Washer BulletProofing class..

There is NO better injector for down-streaming, than one with a variable venturi..
The ST-62 injector has a flow-controlling feature, that allows it to "live on" the system.
With the venturi wide-open, it is less restrictive than ANY other..
and when you are running longer-lengths of hose, this adjustable tool is less finicky.
..More reliable and better performance, and more convenient..
This is a cool tool.
Our service center has solved MANY a flow-restriction problem with these little gems.

..and I recommend mounting at the inlet of the hose reel to get it past as much plumbing as possible..
everything in the system is a "Flow-Restrictor" ..until proven otherwise..
..even the fittings at the oulet of the heater.

..to be continued.. :{)
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Anyone that looks down the throat of a chemical injector, and sees how much of a flow-restrictor it is, should easily realize it would be foolish to assume it won't reduce flow or work-speed, if you leave it in line, when you are NOT using it. Like I stated before.. use a variable-venture injector, and open its throat when you aren't using it, or.. REMOVE the injector.
 
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Christopher said:
Hello Everyone,
I am getting ready to install my downstream injector I purchased last week. I was looking at it and the passage through it is very small. I am thinking that this will cause some back pressure for the pump if it runs all the time. Does everyone install this before the hosereel or just before the gun or after the gun? I am thinking that maybe I need to put in a "T" so I can by-pass it when I am not injecting chemicals. Does anyone have any pictures to share so I install it correctly? Thanks for any help.

Chris Chappell
Superior Power Washing
Corpus Christi, Texas 78415
361-853-2513
chris969@swbell.net
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Hey Christopher,..this "T" you mentioned about 11 years ago is now called: "Injector Bypass",...and are being sold online over at PressureTek. I use one that I made and I really like it,..I find I use it ALOT,..especially when rinsing porch areas or anytime I'm in close quarters. Shutting the soap off allows for low pressure rinsing at full flow to boot and spitting around from the injector sucking air like when you pull the injector out of the bucket.

Now,.if we just had a remote controlled way to turn the ball valve.

*Anyhow,..good call Christopher!

Jeff
 
Hey Hal,..yes,..I know there are remotes,..but I think they simply turn the soap injector on and off,..but I think the flow restriction is still there,..it just quits pulling soap?

The soap injector by-pass with the ball valve turns the soap off and you then have the benefit of full flow. Some guys say the flow restriction is irrelevant as it's not much,...but when I tell my helper to go turn the valve,..as soon as he turns it,..it's like turbo boosted flow all of a sudden.

Jeff
 
814jeffw said:
Hey Hal,..yes,..I know there are remotes,..but I think they simply turn the soap injector on and off,..but I think the flow restriction is still there,..it just quits pulling soap?

The soap injector by-pass with the ball valve turns the soap off and you then have the benefit of full flow. Some guys say the flow restriction is irrelevant as it's not much,...but when I tell my helper to go turn the valve,..as soon as he turns it,..it's like turbo boosted flow all of a sudden.

Jeff
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Just look at your bypass hose with an injector installed. I see more than a gallon being bypassed on mine. That causes my surface cleaner to drag, because my tips are matched to my gpm.
 
You can do a bypass technically with a remote as well.

I recently bought Mike's 2 step setup and am on my way to building my own crazy setup. You can do so much with 12v and the those remotes, most don't even think of. To give you an example, I am going to be switching from a down stream to an upstream setup. The one downfall I hate about the upstream is having to bypass the unloader back into the pump inlet. So I am ordered 2 12v water valves, one NO and one NC and so when ever I click on the chem's the valves will switch from water going to the tank to bypass to the pump.

Now you need different valves for the high pressure side, but I am sure with a remote you could switch from injector to bypass using the same idea I had up there. One NO valve and one NC valve would work best, then all you need is a remote/receiver, relays, fuse, lights (something visual to tell you what its on) and an enclosure.

Thinking about this a little more, you could even have it switch to bypass when you turn off the soap. Wire up the valves on the NO and NC portion of the remote receiver correctly and that could easily be done.
 
Benjamin said:
You can do a bypass technically with a remote as well.

I recently bought Mike's 2 step setup and am on my way to building my own crazy setup. You can do so much with 12v and the those remotes, most don't even think of. To give you an example, I am going to be switching from a down stream to an upstream setup. The one downfall I hate about the upstream is having to bypass the unloader back into the pump inlet. So I am ordered 2 12v water valves, one NO and one NC and so when ever I click on the chem's the valves will switch from water going to the tank to bypass to the pump.

Now you need different valves for the high pressure side, but I am sure with a remote you could switch from injector to bypass using the same idea I had up there. One NO valve and one NC valve would work best, then all you need is a remote/receiver, relays, fuse, lights (something visual to tell you what its on) and an enclosure.

Thinking about this a little more, you could even have it switch to bypass when you turn off the soap. Wire up the valves on the NO and NC portion of the remote receiver correctly and that could easily be done.
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Right over my head,Ha,Ha,...
Really though,..I'm sure it can be done,...I'm not at all familiar with the 12v remotes and configurations,..but am sure what I am wanting will come along. Maybe even you will build one,..Hint, Hint,..Ha,Ha,...

Jeff
 
The injector bypass is a great idea, glad it came about.
 
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