Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Twc services on December 21, 2012, 06:33:21 pm

Title: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Twc services on December 21, 2012, 06:33:21 pm
Anybody know how long you can have the suction hose from a tank on board a van ? If I'm working at the back of a house how do I get the water to pressure washer ? I know this is maybe a silly question. Thanks
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: chris scott on December 21, 2012, 06:49:46 pm
Just make sure the tank is higher than the pressure washer.The pump is then gravity fed and the pump is not "sucking" the water to feed it.
Also make sure the diameter of the hose is bigger enough not to cause problems with flow over the distance. Quality of hose is also important so it does not collapse or kink.
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Matt Gibson on December 21, 2012, 07:26:48 pm
Anybody know how long you can have the suction hose from a tank on board a van ? If I'm working at the back of a house how do I get the water to pressure washer ? I know this is maybe a silly question. Thanks

dont think it males a difference mate. mine is all mounted in the van but i used a long length to run it all under the racking and make it neat. probably about 5 meters. why dont you get yourself a wheelie bin for the jobs around the back? Suck water from that?
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Twc services on December 21, 2012, 08:02:44 pm
Wheelie bin idea is good  :) will the washer use more water than tap can put out into the wheelie bin at 15lpm ?
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Matt Gibson on December 21, 2012, 09:22:19 pm
The wheelie bin will act just like your tank. if your tank stays full enough from the tap, the wheelie bin will too.

Some customers taps are really bad and either your tank or a bin will empty quicker than the machine.
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: chris scott on December 21, 2012, 10:33:18 pm
The distance is immaterial to a certain extent.What is important is to make sure there is enough water for the pump however it comes...nothing damages pumps quick than the lack of water!
Early morning water supplies suffer people showering,switching the washiing machines on etc before leaving for work you might struggle for 15lpm then.
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Blast Away on December 22, 2012, 12:47:14 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vGKqoa0-Wk
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: chris scott on December 22, 2012, 08:23:49 am
Just remember it's a pump producing 3000psi this does not mean it will draw 3000 inHg !
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Matt Gibson on December 22, 2012, 09:11:50 am
But it will draw 15lpm ;D
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: chris scott on December 22, 2012, 09:20:36 am
Depending on the head of water! It possibly would not draw 15lpm if the reservoir/wheelie bin  is 1or 2 meters below the pump. At
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Twc services on December 22, 2012, 09:26:57 am
Nice video explains it all. Cheers guys  :)
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: BDCS on December 22, 2012, 11:10:43 pm
Anybody know how long you can have the suction hose from a tank on board a van ? If I'm working at the back of a house how do I get the water to pressure washer ? I know this is maybe a silly question. Thanks
I keep the hose between the tank and pump short feed and use a long pressure hose
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: Kenny83 on December 23, 2012, 11:02:38 am
you would have to take a wheelie bin or 45 gallon drum with you, feed the customers hose pipe into the bin and suck from that, usually suction hoses dont tend to be longer than 3 to 4 meters as it can cause prematue wear priming a dry pump, another tip it to prime your pump with the high pressure hose off, then turn your machine off and reconnect your hose
Title: Re: Suction hose length ?
Post by: BDCS on December 23, 2012, 10:27:33 pm
Use bulkhead fittings on the bottom of the tank / bin then you will have a positive pressure suction line to the pump - this will stop any cavitation or wear and quickly primes the pump. I still have a strainer in the suction line in the bin