Fatboy electrical problems....

Mike V

Mike V

Member
The Fatboy is about a year old. It stopped running, all connections are tight and corrosion free...changed out the relay, not the problem...changed it out again just to make sure....nothing. However when I touch the two black wires, the pump runs. Is this an internal wiring issue? These pumps should last a lot longer than a year.
 
Are you sure that all the wires are in the correct location on the relay? If the pump runs when you connect the 2 grounds, then it sounds like a relay problem. Try taking the cover off the relay and closing the switch inside manually to see if the pump comes on.
 
The relay that comes on the fatboy has a jumper wire soldered connecting 2 of the prongs, numbers 85 and 87. On all relays we have bought they did not come with this jumper wire. We just took a piece of 12 or 14 gauge wire, put a spade on either end and plug 1 end into 85 and the other into 87.

I'm about 99% sure that's your problem. It should fix you up right.
 
Mike V said:
The Fatboy is about a year old. It stopped running, all connections are tight and corrosion free...changed out the relay, not the problem...changed it out again just to make sure....nothing. However when I touch the two black wires, the pump runs. Is this an internal wiring issue? These pumps should last a lot longer than a year.
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From what Russ and others have said its a disposable pump. Not meant to last forever.

I may be wrong but a year is good from what others have said. If you dont rinse them , they even go faster.
 
I usually get from 1 to 1.5 years out of the Delavan pumps.

I always rinse them out when done with the job or at the end of the day.

They are consumables or throw aways or disposables.....whatever you want to call them. They are not designed for what most of us use them for so you can't honestly expect them to last more than 1-2 years.

Most people make their money out of them within the first job or two so you should get another so when, not if it goes out and throw it away and get the spare into service and be done with it.

The Delavan pumps are good pumps and can handle a lot of different chemicals even though they are not warrantied for most of the chemicals a lot of us use on a regular basis.
 
I've never had a Delevan go bad because of what I was running through it. It was always an electrical problem that fried them. I'm on my 4th one now and the only reason its lasted as long as it has is because I use it wide open and only for transfering chems and I rinse at least 5-10gals of fresh water through it when I'm done. No more spraying with it...
 
Guys, yes, electric pumps cant be expected to last forever, BUT his is running fine when he connects the 2 black wires together. The pump is ok, it is something on the external wiring that is the problem. Unfortunatley without having the pump here, I dont know what it is. Just buy a new one and diagnose this one when you get a chance.
 
Russ Spence said:
Justhad one do ths same thing ............ I didnt bat an eye and ordered a new one
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Have you thought about air? Fleetwashing 15 years ago use air to push acid. Much more effective and a hole lot cheaper.

The chance if failer with air is less.

Chris at apple has always used air, told others to electric. Lol


And they do have plunger pumps tHat will push about anything, they are expensive.

Pros use air, beginers use electric. You eventually learn the right way after you buy five or six of something that it's not cost effective.

Please all that use's these Don't get offended. Its ok to start with them, if you really like them thats ok too. Its again a choice, but the pro's 30 years in this business unless they are pushing low volume do not use Electric.

Some may have electric to move Chems from one tank to another. Most just dont want you to know the secrets.

If you like using equipment that constanly breaks and love buying them, Keep using them or find out what others are using.

Yes, the alternatives are always more money, more money means less down time. Less down time wont cost you money. Some will say these are so cheap and easy to fix keep a spare. Yes thats and alternative. Trust me its always a good idea to have backup plan.


Good luck with the Delavan . I personally would not rely on this pump. Its not made well to do this, just from the feedback right here on Failer.

What I dont Understand is why people keep saying they are great when the alternatives are much far superior.

The pro's and con's should always be told.

So I'm open, tell me the problems with the alternative pumps Chris and alot of others here use but keep very quiet about?
 
Let me tell you the downsides to gas powered pumps. They are loud, expensive, you have to fill them with gas and change the oil, which is an added expense, if something breaks on your motor, you are down until its fixed, IF the pump itself does go out you have to buy a new one and they are not easy to change on the fly.

Electric on the other hand, is quiet, inexpensive, easy to fix, cheap to have an extra on hand and quick to replace. The GPM of the fatboy rivals that of the gas one, the only downside is the PSI is a lot lower usually so you don't get quite the distance. However, I have no problem getting over 40' using a 1/2" hose with the Fatboy.

I have used gas powered, and will never go back to them for residential. The only reason I will buy a gas powered pump, like the udor zeta, is to have the capability of running multiple hoses off of 1 pump for commerical cleaning like condos or apartments.
 
Scott D. said:
Let me tell you the downsides to gas powered pumps. They are loud, expensive, you have to fill them with gas and change the oil, which is an added expense, if something breaks on your motor, you are down until its fixed, IF the pump itself does go out you have to buy a new one and they are not easy to change on the fly.

Electric on the other hand, is quiet, inexpensive, easy to fix, cheap to have an extra on hand and quick to replace. The GPM of the fatboy rivals that of the gas one, the only downside is the PSI is a lot lower usually so you don't get quite the distance. However, I have no problem getting over 40' using a 1/2" hose with the Fatboy.

I have used gas powered, and will never go back to them for residential. The only reason I will buy a gas powered pump, like the udor zeta, is to have the capability of running multiple hoses off of 1 pump for commerical cleaning like condos or apartments.
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Good Post, see I never think about Noise in commercial. My rigs are noiseeee, people in the residential world are converned about that.

You can pressureize tanks to run for 1 hour to not need motor? Most of mine had regulators and the compressor never ran much. I had electric compressors and gas.


Still a Good post because I know some run open compressors.

I suppose the Electric might be a bit more practical in Residential setting. Just keep in mind compressors run on electric also.

Pre pressure tanks with regulator will also run quiet.

Welcome some other points on AIR verses Total electric.
 
Good points Ron, I just don't see the point in investing in air when in reality there aren't any upsides. We have our battery tied into our trailer harness which charges it. In about a year, we have not had to charge the battery, or replace anything on the pump except the relay at the beginning. No maintenance, no breaking down, no gas, nothing. We just flip te switch and start spraying. It really is VERY simple. Its all about setting everything up to be efficient.

I would like to see some pro's and con's from guys who swear by the air pumps though. Maybe there's something I'm missing...
 
Scott D. said:
Good points Ron, I just don't see the point in investing in air when in reality there aren't any upsides. We have our battery tied into our trailer harness which charges it. In about a year, we have not had to charge the battery, or replace anything on the pump except the relay at the beginning. No maintenance, no breaking down, no gas, nothing. We just flip te switch and start spraying. It really is VERY simple. Its all about setting everything up to be efficient.

I would like to see some pro's and con's from guys who swear by the air pumps though. Maybe there's something I'm missing...
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Its funny the guys with air don't like to even post about it. SHHHHHHH

I actually would like to know, by the way Scott a compressor doesnt need gas. They have electric ones. Of course not as industry and much longer for air if you need it.

Thats cool the batterys are wired in to trailer, It drove me nuts when I saw guys talking about charging the batterys. I always wanted to say stupid wire them to your vehicle or machine.
 
Mike V said:
It is not a consumable if properly maintained.

I do have the jumper in place, it is wired correctly, just not working correctly.
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I had numerous problems with mine after the first relay blew. I tried putting a jumper on, and had the same problem. It wouldn't work unless I connected the 2 grounds manually. I finallly ended up putting on another new relay and connected as follows:
Black wire on pump to #30
Pressure switch wire to #86
I ran seperate grounds to #85 and #86

I know it should be the same as using the jumper, but the pump works great now. I haven't had a problem with it since.
 
Chesapeake said:
I had numerous problems with mine after the first relay blew. I tried putting a jumper on, and had the same problem. It wouldn't work unless I connected the 2 grounds manually. I finallly ended up putting on another new relay and connected as follows:
Black wire on pump to #30
Pressure switch wire to #86
I ran seperate grounds to #85 and #86

I know it should be the same as using the jumper, but the pump works great now. I haven't had a problem with it since.
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+1.
I called Bob to order a new one. He told me it was just the relay. I replaced the relay and it still didn't work.
He said, "You didn't run the other ground like I told you to."


Oops.
 
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