Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Darren O on January 20, 2009, 12:01:02 pm
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Ive had this machine for 18 months now Raptor,there is deffinetly a fault with these machines.The preasure always drops to about 120psi and stays there the last time i sent it back to Hydramaster they changed the pump head and a few other things and when i got it back it worked for a couple of days then dropped preasure again and it has been like this for the past 4 months.The thing is when you mess about with the preasure gauge for a couple of minutes and keep your finger on the trigger on the wand it goes back up to about 250psi i told Hydramaster this and they said its deffinetly the preausure regulator and to clean it out but i have done this before and didnt make much difference also my local prochem dealer said that somebody has brought the Chemspec version in with the exact same problem and i also no that Cleaning Systems Uk have had loads of the same problem with the Chemspec version they sell can none of these massive companys work out what the problem is.
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Daren no none of them can fix the problem, however if your fed up with the situation then please give me a call on 07902 205 476 as i have a mchiene that i sell here in the uk that is made in Australia and is far better then anything you can get here.
Adam Crossley
Steamvac UK
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I spoke to somebody from Chemspec today to the main man that deals with these machines he coulndt shine any light on it either and seems to think its just wear and tear and after about a year you should expect these problems if the machine has been heavily used.Chemspec are selling these machines for £2850+vat i wouldnt advise anyone to buy one of these machines from Chemspec or Hydramaster untill one of them figures out why there pumps dont last even a year without major problems.
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Darren I would agree with you there, I have had similar problems with these machienes in the past and several colleagues have had the same. Hope you got my email yesterday and hope it interests you.
Adam
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Darreen,
I would disagree with you, just because your having a problem your advising everbody to stay well clear of the raptor..........
when infact the raptor is one of the best porty,s around , well built and proberbly the best heat around for a porty.
I,v had used a raptor for a few years , admitadly as a back up machine now , but always found it reliable, usual problem to be expected as with any machine ie. vac motor and did have to replace bearings in pump once , simple quick job though .
out of interest, does your pressure actualy drop ? or just the readings ?
Have you a kink/bend in your line inside machine? often when closing back up you could trap or kink some thing. just a thought .
Geoff
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And i thought it was just cleaning systems uk aswell.... ::) ::) ::)
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Geoff when i first got this machine it was brilliant but after 10 months the pump preasure drops to abot 120psi not just on the gauge at the wand to ive sent it back to Hydramaster twice they dont no what is up with it.First they thought it was the pump head they replaced that and did some other things to got it back worked for 2 days and then done the same thing now they think its the preasure regulator and have told me what to do but i tried that months ago and didnt make any difference.I would also say the guys at Hydramaster have been great with me but its costing me nearly £100 carrige to send it back every time.I have spoke to someone with the Chemspec version hes had it sent back 5 times in 2 years with the same problem i no portables dont last forever but a pump should work correctly for more than 10 months and at nearly £3000 you should expect a lot better.I would even pay 600or700pound tomorow for a new pumpif i new that would be the end of it because when its working its a brilliant machine.
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I'd disconect the pump from the uploader and test the psi, this will tell you if it is a pump problem or the uploader
if it is the uploader then if must be still bypassing even when you press the trigger, disconnect the baypass line that returns it back to the fresh tank and see if it is.
mike
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Mike how would you heck the psi on a prochem powermax?
Ryan
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what pump is it? the old 120psi or the superduper 500psi powermax?
if its the usual 100-140psi shurflo/flojet pump then these pumps are not adjustable so you get the full output of the pump at all times, go onto the pump manufacturers website( or it might say on the pump) and find out the pump output in L/min, then measure the flow into a bucket.
to test the PSI use a pressure gauge with a Q/C fitted on the back and directly connect it too the solution line
its worth buying one of these and fitting a QC on then you can check the PSI any time you want
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pressure-Gauge-100mm-4-inch-400psi-28-bar-Oil-Water_W0QQitemZ310116235739QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item310116235739&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
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Adam got your email yeterday it looks a good set up but at the moment the pennies are a bit tight so i will just have to plod on with what ive got thanks anyway.Mike i wouldnt even no were to start and the machine is back with my local Prochem dealer at the moment one of my cables isnt working and they are trying to sort it but they dont no how to get into that part of the machine they also phoned Hydramaster for advice but they are still stuck just lucky its quiet at the moment.
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Darren if its of interest to you i have a finance company onboard who can fund it for you, so you can use and pay as you go, very competertive aswell, of course subject to all the usauall finance checks.
Adam.
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Adam,
I personaly would like a little more info about yourself before I sterted to enter any financial and business arrangments, forgive me for been cautious but I cannot see any details about you, any web site , where you are from etc and only 3 posts .
How about a little more info , and you never know if your machine is good you may have some more interest.
Geoff
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well said geoff. totally agree.
here here.
derek
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Derek
One goes and then another newbie appears ;D
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Darren
Do you have a link to the guys site from the e-mail he sent you?
P.S.
I think I was leaning on your machine the other day down in Greenock.
Bob
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Bob the website is www.steamvac.com.au
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Cheers Darren
Everything seems to be heavy duty, the porties must weigh a ton !
Did he give you any prices?
Bob
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Surely someone can sort it. Low pressure, so it can only be a few things which can cause it. Pump seals as you had a new head then that is unlikely. Pressure regulator could be worn allowing too much flow past it. Collapsed hose which will only manifest itself when pump is operating so you need to be able to see them whilst running. Nothing much else can cause it.
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Don’t know much about high power porties, but it has been know that the pressure dial may cause this type of problem.
Len
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No i didnt get a price Bob and the machine you seen in Greenock was it grey or green as they have a chemspec version in with the exact same problem dodgy pump.John you would think it would be that straight forward but no one seems to be able to get to the bottom of it.Also meant to say i checked the hoses coming from the pump and they looked perfect but iam not to sure what to look for.
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The hoses don't last for ever and have pressurised hot water going through them. As the hose weakens it can implode in use causing a loss of pressure as the pump has to work harder to push past the blockage. When pumps off hoses look fine. Thats why they have to be examined under load. Should be a simple task of unconnecting at pump and working forward. Can be on supply pipe to pump as well.
You need to be careful if doing anything yourself as water and electrics don't mix. Use an RCD which everyone should when using portable equipment. It only takes once to stop your heart.
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John do you think its worth getting new hoses fitted because i think everything else has been tried ive always thought the problem has something to do with the amount of heat you get from the machine you wouldnt belive how hot the water gets for a portable.
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Darren I sell them.
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Ther is that much crammed in there they are rather hard to work on.
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Has it ever been descaled.
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Hi Darren,
It could be the suction hose partially collapsed or obstuction in it.
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seems a likely scenario.
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Darren
I think It was a green one that was in the front entrance hall.
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I'm no expert but can usually fathom things out. Had a machine in recently from a nursing home which had been back 5 times to the company that supplied it. They kept sending it back saying there was nothing wrong. Solenoid was gone which I found out in 5 minutes.
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John see if it comes to the worst and cant figure out whats wrong with it do you fancy having a look at it for us my local prochem dont no much about them at all and i always get the feeling with Hydramaster they would rather deal with truckmounts than portables.Iam using my powermax just now but would like it sorted before the end of Febuary.
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That will be mine Bob they have had it for 8 days trying to find out how to get into the back of it as one of the cables isnt working these machines are something else but i still woulndt swap it for anything else when they do work they are amazing.
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I could probably. i'd need it for a few days at least.
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Darren if they have it now all they need to do is disconnect the inlet hose to the pump. Attach another length of hose and draw water from a bucket higher than the pump. If it works ok like this the problem is on the feed end to the pump. If it doesn't then its either the pump or regulator or possibly a hose that side. Its just a process of elimination. It is a bind on these though because they are crammed with gear and probably puts people off working on them.
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Thanks John i will speak to my Prochem man tomorow.
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Ok then to clear this all up yes ive only been on here a short time, however the machiene im talking about has been for sale in Australia for over 30yrs and also in America and Asia, I personally know the owner of SteamVac and he has asked me to be the uk supplier of this fantastic gear.
Bob no the big machiene isnt heavy weighing in at 62kg.
Geoff thanks for the advice mate, yes im still in the setting up stages here however the website can be viwed in australia at www.steamvac.com.au and there are plenty of testimonials about the company and the machienes there.
This equipment is in no comparison better than anything available here as a porty and has no competion in the way it performs.
A standard setup can be run out of your van or as a porty and run a length of vacum and solution hose to 45m without loosing pressure. No more filling the solution tank with chemicals you simply prespray the carpet and extract with clean hot water/steam, no more residue.
Adam.. ;D
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Just had a look at the web site just looking at the spec for the machine so am reading it has 2 vac or is that 2 then another 2 running in parallel ???
Has a masive pump then just couldnt imagine running a full.
There are some newbies on here adam that might be interested.
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clinton the machiene has 2 vac motors in a choice of 1200watt, 1400watt or 1700 watt, and a choice of 1500psi pum working pressure of 500psi or the 2000psi pump with working pressure of 1600psi but both are adjustable aswell.
You can also run a booster box along side it with another 2 vacs in it through the port giving it a total of 4 vacs. The 500psi machiene with booster box and waste system only draws 12amps of power so wont trip the fuse board.
It gives you the option to set up as a porty in the house or run it in the van if you can like a truckmount.
Adam.
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Adam how much is the booster box and cun you run it with a normal portable chees Darren.
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Adam,
Whats the UK price of the machine running at 500psi? Doe sit run 1 1/2 or 2 inch vac hose? How much hose can it run with just the 2 vacs & how much with the booster vacs? How much is the booster box? How much CFM with 2 vacs, how much cfm with the 4 vacs? what Hg will it pull? What kw is the heater? What is the availability for the UK? Certainly from a vac point of view.....the Scorpion is probably the most powerful porty in the UK.....how does the steamvac porty compare? can u give a full spec side by side with the Scopion.
Richie.
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Someone did mention there was a new machine out in a month or so guess this might be it ???
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Richie will be glad to give you all this information, if you want to chat about it then please do call me on Monday on 0800 0025 192. I will post all that info on here aswell, just give me a day or so to do it.
Adam
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Adam
Where are you based?
Bob
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Bob I am in bournemouth in Dorset. The so called sunny south ??? am compiling all the info and will put a full comparison on here in the next few days.
Adam.
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adam
my dads first machine 30 years ago was a steam vac which he got from the uk distributer in manchester, is this the same company if it is i would really like to see the machine as that first machine was excellent.
will you be showing the machine at the cleaning show in march
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Hi trevor
I remmember that one make too ???
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I remember the old Stimvak adverts in Exchange and Mart, wasn't it Alan Gilligan?
Shaun
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Trevor, yes it is however its a little diferent now, as you would expect with the change in times. They pulled out of the uk market along time ago to concentrate on their own home market in Australia, which they have out sold any other porty in the country.
I wish I was able to make the show but not this year as the machienes wont be here in time for the show plus the cost of a stand there is unbelievable. However I have pictures and specs on the machiene if your interested.
Adam.
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Shaun
Your right there he was from north manchester i think ???
I saw that add too in there and also in the evening news i think.
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Spot on Shaun,
Thats where I bought my first machine from ( Stimvac Junior ) which was a good machine in its day.He used to run carpet cleaning courses in his converted garage.
There were 2 other guys that used to help him, Nevile Sunny from Scarbrough,and another guy from Wakefield.
Tony
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Wonder if he is still with us ???
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The answer to that is no. Both Alan and the guy ( cannot remember his name, John something ) from wakefield are both dead.
Nevile Sunny who was a canadian ran his shop as I say from Scarbrough but has retired. I ended up selling/repairing for Stimvac through this guy.
Stimvac in the uk were, I think about the first to bring hwe into the uk started by a an Indian Called Alli would you believe.
Tony
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Trevor, yes it is however its a little diferent now, as you would expect with the change in times. They pulled out of the uk market along time ago to concentrate on their own home market in Australia, which they have out sold any other porty in the country.
I wish I was able to make the show but not this year as the machienes wont be here in time for the show plus the cost of a stand there is unbelievable. However I have pictures and specs on the machiene if your interested.
Adam.
hi adam
yes i would be interested if you could send me some information and prices for the machines, you can either email them to me or post them to the address on my website.
thanks trevor
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Trevor ok will do,thanks for the enquiry mate.
Adam.
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Adam,
I am supprised that you as a trader are allowed to sell your products on the forum after all the sponsor
of this forum also sells machines etc.
Tony
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bit like walking into tesco's and trying to sell your own beans.
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Adam,
I am supprised that you as a trader are allowed to sell your products on the forum after all the sponsor
of this forum also sells machines etc.
Tony
am i reading this correctly
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Tony I wasnt aware that he was, If I have caused any problems with this then I will appologise, and if he wishes for me not to talk about it then Im sure that will be expressed to me and I will stop, however nothing has been said to me about it.
Adam.
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I think you can discuss cc equipment ,performance ,price etc, as long as you don't over cook the selling part. After all it is a forum and anything new should be talked about, good or bad.
Bob
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Adam
The adverts at the top of this page advertises the owners business.
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Joe, thanks mate wasnt sure, but thankyou.
Adam
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Hi Adam,
When are you going to post all the info that i requested in 1 of my previous posts......the way i see it, the quicker you get the info & comparisons to other high spec portys available in the UK the better.
Richie.
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ashbys cleaning have a good youtube video on their site at the moment.
Shaun
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Have seen that one too :)
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That's what I would go for with a triple vac for good measure.
Shaun
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Richiw I will have all the info posted by tomorrow, just taking time to put it all together.
Adam
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Like the dual steam system and as shaun said with the vac booster could not get more from a portie ???
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Update on my machine my local Prochem dealer had to replace one of the cables on the raptor he also said the pump,vac.heater,also failing PAT test and still same problems with the pump going to have a play with it today and try and get it sorted.
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Got it working again i did what Hydramaster said took the preasure gauge of "brass numpty"took out the spring and the wee brass plate with the nipple on it and then the thing that looks like a silver bullet cleaned it and put some sillicon grease on the silver bullit put it back together again and its working like new the only thing is i did this about 6 months ago and after a couple of days i was back to square one again.When Hydramaster had it in the last time when they changed the pump head when i got it back the preasure dial was never working right it kept jumping about daft but when i cleaned it out there and started the pump the preasure dial is working fine again so hopefully maybe that was something to do with it.
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Just finished a job same old same old started the porty back to 120psi phoned Hydramster Craig said theres a fault with the preasure regulators so sending me out a new one tomorow hopefully that will sort it.
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Darren
You might have to get a back in caes it goes away to be sorted once and for all ::)
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Clinton ive got powermax for back up just getting fed up now seems to be going on for ever.
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Darren :)
Maybe time to sell it on soon mate ???
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Clinton i think you want to buy it mate £2000 and its yours you no there great portys dead reliable.
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;)
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robert plant wants a truckmount ;D
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Derek
;D
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Richiw I will have all the info posted by tomorrow, just taking time to put it all together.
Adam
Aussie
What happened to the info ???
Bob
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Big day tomorow going to Cleaning Systems Uk in Fife to hopefully get my Raptor sorted got the new preasure regulator from Hydramaster last week so fingers crossed only thing is might have to leave it there overnight if they cant fix it straight away but it will be worth it.Sandy also said if i put bigger jets in my wand that will help with the preasure he said these pumps do lose some of the psi over time but nothing to what iam loosing.
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Update on the pump problems they dont no whats up with it either they are phoning Chemspec to see if they no whats causing the drop in preasure this is a common problem with these machines there is a Hydro Vantage second hand for sale in Cleaning Systems Uk show room and guess what the pump preasure is worse than mine.They also said when its showing 120psi on the gauge that they think its probably running a lot more than that me dont think so think it will be going back to Hydramaster again and let them sort it.