Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jonboywalton75 on September 21, 2016, 06:51:51 pm

Title: Air locks
Post by: jonboywalton75 on September 21, 2016, 06:51:51 pm

Seem to  be plauged with air locks in my pump at the  moment
What's the best way to get rid?
Cheers

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: DaveG on September 21, 2016, 06:55:30 pm

Stick a non return valve between tank and pump

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: jonboywalton75 on September 21, 2016, 07:38:56 pm

Cheers Dave

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: JandS on September 21, 2016, 07:50:14 pm

Same here...I turn the pump off when changing barrels but still get 2 or 3 minutes of low pressure before it spits the air out...annoying.

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: Tosh on September 21, 2016, 08:26:00 pm

Can't you install your pump in one of those vacuum boxes Gardiners are selling lately, they prevent air-locks being that there's no air present you can't actually get an air-lock.

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on September 21, 2016, 10:55:57 pm

Make sure that any connections between your tank/barrel are completely airtight and If you have half inch hose between your barrels and your pump switch it for minibore (8mm ID). All that extra unnecessary volume in the hose causes a problem when you get air in it.
Once I did this my pump clears airlocks in about 2 seconds flat. You also need to disconnect the hose from the output side of the pump whilst clearing the airlock so there is no hindrance form back pressure. On my trolley I've made this easy by cutting the hose about six inches away from the end nearest the trolley and inserting a JG connector in the hose. Others have done it by not using a waterstop connector on the trolley and disconnecting there.
I empty most of my barrels everyday and airlocks are never a problem with this setup

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: jonboywalton75 on September 22, 2016, 07:56:56 am

Thanks M & C
I have got half inch hose on the line into the pump

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: JandS on September 22, 2016, 09:19:24 am

What difference will putting a JG connection near the trolley.......there's a connection 10m from it.

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on September 22, 2016, 06:44:33 pm

Quote from: JandS on September 22, 2016, 09:19:24 am

What difference will putting a JG connection near the trolley.......there's a connection 10m from it.

When priming the pump (clearing an airlock) you want as little back pressure as possible. The way to achieve this is to disconnect the hose on the output side and as close as possible to the pump. 

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: JandS on September 22, 2016, 07:54:33 pm

Got it.

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: jonboywalton75 on September 23, 2016, 10:57:23 am

I have fitted some old microbore between my pump and my reel, in place of  13mm tricoflex
Flow is great and eventually got rid of the air locks
Cheers for the help lads
That's what this forum is for eh!!!

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: Tom White on September 23, 2016, 07:04:56 pm

Place your pump(s) as low down to your van floor as possible.

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: jonboywalton75 on September 23, 2016, 07:37:36 pm

Mine is already as low as possible.
Thanks Tosh

Title: Re: Air locks
Post by: JandS on September 23, 2016, 07:50:48 pm

Mine too.