Operating pressure drop

try a smaller nozzle..
compare on a nozzle chart to find flow-actual, and..
if you don't loose much volume, but the pressure comes right up, the nozzle wasn't properly matched to the machine,
or your engine RPM are low, or fittings are restricting flow between the unloader and your gauge.
 
I understand using smaller nozzles is bad for your pump. The ones I have are sized properly. I do have the next larger size also. Pressure does drop with those. Engine RPMs. I'll work on that a bit more tomorrow. A slight adjustment brought me up a fair bit. So maybe some more tinkering there.

Thanks
PL
 
a smaller nozzle is only hard on the system if the unloader is adjusted too high..
you have been meticulous enough with the adjustments so far, I entrusted you to go to the nexty step carefully,
and knowing your conservative setting of the unloader, you should be fine..
I'm predicting the pressure spike will only climb 50-75 psi from where you're at.
I like your conservative style.
 
Thanks Guys. That makes sense with trying smaller nozzles. As far as being conservative. Well, I haven't even paid for this machine yet.

I can't say that I am concerned that I don't have enough pressure. Even at 3000psi I think that is plenty. Honestly if I did get it to 3500 I wonder if that is even a big enough difference to care that much about. What I am concerned about is if things are working properly. Not that I think anything is in danger here. In fact the way it is it all may last longer than expected. If however things are not working properly I will fail in knowing how to properly use, maintain and repair. This is where I can get way OCD.

As for the engine running wide open. I believe it is now or will be when I fire it up tomorrow. Previously it was not. This may get the PSI up a bit more.
 
Couple things concern me here..
make sure you check voltage of your generator, if it has one.. VERY important !!
call me Sunday if you have to.. engine speed vs. voltage is CRITICAL to the electrical.

Don't get complacent too quick with less than rated performance.. you'll regret that sooner than later.
Gum goes flying with heat at 3300-3500psi.
..with less pressure, you'll scrape gum insted of profiting once you get a nice contract for sidewalks.

2 posts ago I mentioned a possible flow-restriction in your system..
and in the chemical injector thread, you mentioned you have 150ft of hose on the machine..
there's 2 flow restrictors right there..
.. the injector that works on 150ft hose is restricting flow more than you want it to..
it has to be a 4gpm version to function on 150 feet of hose.. if you looked down its throat, you'd see the chemical injetor as a simple flow-restrictor.
When you go from soaping to HP with the nozzle change.. use a smaller spray nozzle.. 1 size smaller should get closer to the 3500psi you'll need.

REMOVE the chemical injector when you're NOT using it..
Or, settle for the ST-62.. it has a variable venturi ..so you can "open it up" when you're not using it.. that allows full flow with MUCH less restriction.FLow is workspeed, and pressure delivers it at greater distance.
"WorkSpeed" = Profitability

Next time call me.. this should have taken 10 minutes to diagnose.
:{p

I enjoy troubleshooting.
that reminds me..
I just wish it didn't take SO long to troubleshoot women..
Why don't they come with Operating Instructions and Troubleshooting Guides ??
Machines are easy, by comparison.
 
Patricio said:
I understand using smaller nozzles is bad for your pump. The ones I have are sized properly. I do have the next larger size also. Pressure does drop with those. Engine RPMs. I'll work on that a bit more tomorrow. A slight adjustment brought me up a fair bit. So maybe some more tinkering there.

Thanks
PL
Click to expand...

Measuring engine rpm is more accurate, careful not to overspeed
 
Sirocco Jerry said:
a smaller nozzle is only hard on the system if the unloader is adjusted too high..
you have been meticulous enough with the adjustments so far, I entrusted you to go to the nexty step carefully,
and knowing your conservative setting of the unloader, you should be fine..
I'm predicting the pressure spike will only climb 50-75 psi from where you're at.
I like your conservative style.
Click to expand...

I mentioned using a 4.0 or 4.5 nozzle to assist in determining the max system loaded pressure.

I have used a 6.0 nozzle on an 8 gpm TSF2021 machine on extra hard gum or on very cold nights if I dont have the time to pre heat the inlet water, it gives better heat rise at max operating pressure (pump head reads 3600psi)

Sirocco Jerry said:
Couple things concern me here..
make sure you check voltage of your generator, if it has one.. VERY important !!
call me Sunday if you have to.. engine speed vs. voltage is CRITICAL to the electrical.

Don't get complacent too quick with less than rated performance.. you'll regret that sooner than later.
Gum goes flying with heat at 3300-3500psi.
..with less pressure, you'll scrape gum insted of profiting once you get a nice contract for sidewalks.

2 posts ago I mentioned a possible flow-restriction in your system..
and in the chemical injector thread, you mentioned you have 150ft of hose on the machine..
there's 2 flow restrictors right there..
.. the injector that works on 150ft hose is restricting flow more than you want it to..
it has to be a 4gpm version to function on 150 feet of hose.. if you looked down its throat, you'd see the chemical injetor as a simple flow-restrictor.
When you go from soaping to HP with the nozzle change.. use a smaller spray nozzle.. 1 size smaller should get closer to the 3500psi you'll need.

REMOVE the chemical injector when you're NOT using it..
Or, settle for the ST-62.. it has a variable venturi ..so you can "open it up" when you're not using it.. that allows full flow with MUCH less restriction.FLow is workspeed, and pressure delivers it at greater distance.
"WorkSpeed" = Profitability

Next time call me.. this should have taken 10 minutes to diagnose.
:{p

I enjoy troubleshooting.
that reminds me..
I just wish it didn't take SO long to troubleshoot women..
Why don't they come with Operating Instructions and Troubleshooting Guides ??
Machines are easy, by comparison.
Click to expand...


+ on the tech stuff

A lot of women say the same about us men Jerry, lol
 
I have had similar problems and swapped out the trigger gun and that made a 500 psi difference. I've had a whip line do the same thing. I don't know why but swivels and trigger guns seem to be able to wear out and drop psi without a visible water leak.
 
JBurd said:
I have had similar problems and swapped out the trigger gun and that made a 500 psi difference.
I've had a whip line do the same thing.
I don't know why but swivels and trigger guns seem to be able to wear out and drop psi without a visible water leak.
Click to expand...

Fittings corrode.. especially plated steel..
every hose-end is a bit of a flow restictor even before it rusts..
drilling them out isn't easy, but if that old-favorite whip-hose in still in use, you might benefit fron clearing its throat.
And while I'm on this..
The guy with 4 splices on his hoses to fill his reel..
His 3500psi machine might only be deliveing 2500psi,
and his work looks like crap..
Keep good hose on your reel, eliminate ALL rusty fittings,
and take his customers away with efficiency. :{)

Also,
I had a nice talk with Patrick today..
he's quite sharp, and will be a solid citizen in the community..
Let's egg him on to coming to our events as we can. Eh?
 
Last edited:
JBurd said:
I have had similar problems and swapped out the trigger gun and that made a 500 psi difference. I've had a whip line do the same thing. I don't know why but swivels and trigger guns seem to be able to wear out and drop psi without a visible water leak.
Click to expand...

++

Patricio said:
thats interesting. Seems to be ok now after tinkering. Last reading was 3400psi.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear this

Sirocco Jerry said:
Fittings corrode.. especially plated steel..
every hose-end is a bit of a flow restictor even before it rusts..
drilling them out isn't easy, but if that old-favorite whip-hose in still in use, you might benefit fron clearing its throat.
And while I'm on this..
The guy with 4 splices on his hoses to fill his reel..
His 3500psi machine might only be deliveing 2500psi,
and his work looks like crap..
Keep good hose on your reel, eliminate ALL rusty fittings,
and take his customers away with efficiency. :{)

Also,
I had a nice talk with Patrick today..
he's quite sharp, and will be a solid citizen in the community..
Let's egg him on to coming to our events as we can. Eh?
Click to expand...


3/8" is small enough, looked inside a corroded 3/8" plated the other day, I thought it was an injector orifice.
 
Thanks Jerry, I appreciate your time and answering all (for now) my newbie questions. I came away much wiser.
And Yes good hose. It was a bit expensive but I have 150' of one single quality hose on the reel. A bit heavy but I like it.
PL
 
So, Today I took the unloader off. Shot hose pressure through the pump. Took apart and rebuilt the unloader. I had so much pressure it scared me. Backed it off and all is where I want it. Not sure why. I found no debris. Maybe something washed out of the pump? Anyway it is all good now. If I could only find the nozzle I shot off into the woods......
 
Yes I agree.
Not exactly sure what the problem was but cleaning and rebuilding the new unloader did it. Not to say they was something defective in the unloader. Could be I sucked something up and just never found it. I may never know. What I do know is how to disassemble and re-assemble an unloader. Much simpler than RC transmissions, airsoft gearboxes or aligning HF radios. But just as satisfying.
 
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