gear junkie
New member
Almost all the homes in my area get between 8-10 gpm. Would using a hose, no buffer tank, for a 7gpm pump be ok or is this to close for possible cavitation? Btw, I use a 3/4" garden hose about 15' long.
Water supply to pump
- Thread starter gear junkie
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Paul Kassander
New member
You should be fine but it would not hurt to make a small buffer tank. You can make one out of an old bucket drum or tank you have. It does not have to be very big 5-20 gallons would work. At least then you will know if you have a problem with flow.
p.s. when you get then time fill out your signature so we know who you are.
p.s. when you get then time fill out your signature so we know who you are.
Sirocco Jerry
Active member
Tank feed for reliability
Paul's right.
..also make sure you upgrade the feed line into the pump with "non-restrictive" thoroughfares.
and as you feed over 4gpm with gravity-feed.. run dual feed lines to the pump..
follow my posts, or just call me.. I'm glad to help.. and I don't bite. :{)
Paul's right.
..also make sure you upgrade the feed line into the pump with "non-restrictive" thoroughfares.
and as you feed over 4gpm with gravity-feed.. run dual feed lines to the pump..
follow my posts, or just call me.. I'm glad to help.. and I don't bite. :{)
gear junkie
New member
Alright...education time. Jerry, why is the inlet on both sides of that pump. I've never seen or heard about this. Read that link you sent, all the guys said no float tank but I'm sure our setup would be different. Am I to assume that most of those guys had a big supply tank and a small buffer tank and it was the buffer tank that eveyone said they removed?
Paul, pm sent.
not sure if I'm overthinking this, but I was going to get a vertical water tank(kinda like the military style gas tanks you see on the back of jeeps) and install a hudson float valve in there with a hose outlet to the pump. I was planning on using a short length hose and only in the neighborhood that I know have low water supply. Good/bad?
Paul, pm sent.
not sure if I'm overthinking this, but I was going to get a vertical water tank(kinda like the military style gas tanks you see on the back of jeeps) and install a hudson float valve in there with a hose outlet to the pump. I was planning on using a short length hose and only in the neighborhood that I know have low water supply. Good/bad?
Christopher
Moderator
You did not mention if you are leaving the machine in a truck, in a trailer or wheeling it around everywhere you go.
If you are wheeling it around everywhere, I would not bother with a tank as it is more stuff to haul around.
If you are doing this commercially, I would mount the machine in the truck or trailer, get a hose reel for the supply line to the vehicle and put in a 50 gallon buffer tank.
A lot of houses have good supply until it is time to do dishes, someone is in the shower and who knows what else so now the flow drops some, I would not risk cavitating a pump. With a buffer tank positioned in a certain way, you could see the level in the tank from the house and know if you need to shut down for a while or keep working.
I would not haul around a pressure washer at a job unless it was a huge job and I did not have enough pressure hose, it is nice to just pull the hose out as far as you need, get things ready and get to work then when done, roll up the hoses and leave but it is up to your personal preference.
You might see pictures of the rigs here on this site and get some good ideas in case you want to change things or build something.
If you are wheeling it around everywhere, I would not bother with a tank as it is more stuff to haul around.
If you are doing this commercially, I would mount the machine in the truck or trailer, get a hose reel for the supply line to the vehicle and put in a 50 gallon buffer tank.
A lot of houses have good supply until it is time to do dishes, someone is in the shower and who knows what else so now the flow drops some, I would not risk cavitating a pump. With a buffer tank positioned in a certain way, you could see the level in the tank from the house and know if you need to shut down for a while or keep working.
I would not haul around a pressure washer at a job unless it was a huge job and I did not have enough pressure hose, it is nice to just pull the hose out as far as you need, get things ready and get to work then when done, roll up the hoses and leave but it is up to your personal preference.
You might see pictures of the rigs here on this site and get some good ideas in case you want to change things or build something.
Sirocco Jerry
Active member
Tank Feeding a 7gpm pump
When a pump is 4gpm or over,
..and you want to go from Pressure-Fed with a garden hose, to Gravity-Fed with a buffer tank ..aka.. Holding Tank,
You will need to re-plumb your pump with bigger hoses, preferrably dual hoses for the "perfect water supply".
..IF you actually want the pump seals to last.
Look at the opening size in the throat of a garden hose connection.. you can barely get the tip of your little finger in it..
Pressure-fed with a garden hose.. water gets to the pump just fine at 4 to 5 gpm on a 50ft piece of common 5/8" garden hose.
3/4" hose would be better, but there it is.. common physics meets "flow restriction".
If you want to have the pump SUCK THE WATER from a holding tank..
you'd better go to a 1" hose for 4 gpm. larger for more, and don't forget to remove the garden hose fitting.. aka flow-restrictor.
got it ??
If you aim for "perfection" as I do in "bulletProofing" the systems I make..
We're going to feed your 7gpm pump with a 1.5" hose (that is as short as possible,) from the tank to a big 10" filter with 1" inlet,
and with a 1" T and dual feed lines of 1" to EACH side of the head of the pump..
With this, you will find reliability has a chance.
If you really want a complete explanation.. Come to my next "Pressure Washer TroubleShooting and BulletProofing" class.
My company is the "HotRod Shop" for this industry,
..but my passion and reputation for BulletProofing these systems has landed me a teaching position.
Here is a portable version option..
..using a CamLock coupler to remove the garden hose adapter when tank feeding..
Here's a skid style system with dual feed lines on dual pumps..
When a pump is 4gpm or over,
..and you want to go from Pressure-Fed with a garden hose, to Gravity-Fed with a buffer tank ..aka.. Holding Tank,
You will need to re-plumb your pump with bigger hoses, preferrably dual hoses for the "perfect water supply".
..IF you actually want the pump seals to last.
Look at the opening size in the throat of a garden hose connection.. you can barely get the tip of your little finger in it..
Pressure-fed with a garden hose.. water gets to the pump just fine at 4 to 5 gpm on a 50ft piece of common 5/8" garden hose.
3/4" hose would be better, but there it is.. common physics meets "flow restriction".
If you want to have the pump SUCK THE WATER from a holding tank..
you'd better go to a 1" hose for 4 gpm. larger for more, and don't forget to remove the garden hose fitting.. aka flow-restrictor.
got it ??
If you aim for "perfection" as I do in "bulletProofing" the systems I make..
We're going to feed your 7gpm pump with a 1.5" hose (that is as short as possible,) from the tank to a big 10" filter with 1" inlet,
and with a 1" T and dual feed lines of 1" to EACH side of the head of the pump..
With this, you will find reliability has a chance.
If you really want a complete explanation.. Come to my next "Pressure Washer TroubleShooting and BulletProofing" class.
My company is the "HotRod Shop" for this industry,
..but my passion and reputation for BulletProofing these systems has landed me a teaching position.
Here is a portable version option..
..using a CamLock coupler to remove the garden hose adapter when tank feeding..
Here's a skid style system with dual feed lines on dual pumps..
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gear junkie
New member
I put my pw next to the hose bibb and run a 75' 3/8 hose to my work location. Once done it goes back to the van. Not sure if you saw it. The hose reel on it is the 3/8 hose.
