[Andrew P]

Hi guys

I am in the process of upgrading my little porty to a bigger porty, all the ones i am looking  at have nearly double the waterlift of my current set up(120" to 220").

But how important is PSI? will a 400 PSI unit clean "deeper" than say 100 PSI?

My local distributor can supply Prochem machines  but the PSI is a lot lower than internet models, but on the plus side they are local with an onsite workshop and i have a good relationship with them.

I am probably asking a simple question but i am having a blonde day

Regards

Andrew P

[Cloverleaf]

A porty with a 400 psi pump will give you more flexiblity.

It will clean much more easily and quicker as well as giving you more confidence.

I have an Ashbys Ninja with a 400 psi pump and is far better than the 135 psi version.

John

[nevil]

I wouldn't say it will improve your cleaning, but it will enable you to work quicker.

[Mike Osbourne]

Agree with John

Ashbys sent me an offer earlier in the year for a 400psi model at about 2100+vat and quoted about 600 for an upgrade of my 135 which is not bad considering the guages and dials are added as well.

I would say to anybody startin out get at least a 200psi machine and save yourself some sweat.

[Mike Halliday]

why does higher PSI clean better, all that PSI does is make the water hit the carpet at a higher speed (so greater impact), I would think its the greater flow that accompanies the higher PSI that actually makes the cleaning difference. More solution on the carpet mean there is more 'carrier' to remove more dirt.

anyhow getting back to the point, if you do go for a higher PSI machine remember to use good wand technique otherwise you will leave a lot more solution on the carpet which could cause problems

Mike

[Andrew P]

Thanks for responding

I am from a paint spraying background and have dealt with PSI in that industry.

I assume that with greater flow you would move the wand quicker to compensate, just like spraying a car?

Regards

Andrew P

[Mike Halliday]

no, you have to move the wand at a rate which allow optimum water recovery with the vacuum, move the wand too fast and the suction doesn't have time to fully remove the water that has been put down.

it all about creating a balance between how much solution you put down and the amount the vacuum can pick up.

when using a portable Id rather pull a wand twice across a carpet with 150PSI than once with 300PSI , then at least when using 150PSi you're giving it twice as much vacuum extraction.

if you get what i mean.

Mike

[Cloverleaf]

Higher psi, quicker wand speed. Not only that but quicker recovery into the vac slot and usually only one pass and less exsersion on the operator.

Carpets can also be noticibly dryer with higher psi and uses less water than you would expect, usualy using less water than with a lower psi pump.

I would, without a doubt go for higher psi  
John

[Mike Osbourne]

So Mike

Are you saying if you used a portie you would prefer a 150psi over a 300 then?

You are assuming the vacs on these porties are not man enough for the pumps output.

[Cloverleaf]

I think a twin vac machine will tolerate any amount of waterflow. I'v never had a problem.
The vacs don't know how much water is coming into the the machine.
It all goes into the waste tank anway, not through the vacs.

I thought  i'd answer that for you mike 
John

[Ian Gourlay]

How much water does a 400psi machine put into a carpet

If you clean an area three times with 135psi is that the same as once with 400psi


Water revovery

if you recover 85% of water or less is iis the remaider in the carpet or does it evaporate fast if you follow me

[Mike Osbourne]

No Ian, I've tried to answer your questions, you will just have to spell it out.

[Mike Halliday]

normally the higher the psi the more water hits the carpet, I know a little bit depend on the size jets you are using but if you use the same wand you will use more water if you turn up the PSI.

Ian, if you leave 80% of the water in the carpet using 150psi and at 300psi then there will be more water left in the carpet with 300psi.

if you get 2 strips of carpet 12inches by 10ft and pull a wand across taking exactly 30 seconds to pull it the 10ft. If you do one strip at 150psi and the other strip at 300psi which do you think would have the most water left behind. now if you did the 150psi a second time which would have the most water left in the carpet?

this would be an interesting experiment on a sunny day out.

Mike



Added by Ian  I am suggesting 15% to 20% of water left in carpet 

[Jason Hedges]

I've just apgraded to my 3rd and most powerfull porty so can add a couple of things. My first machine was a a prochem 100psi single vac, second was a ninja 135psi twin vac and the latest is eclipse 500psi triple vac.

First thing I'd say about having the 500psi machine is its great to have extra pressure available when needed! I use it around 150/200psi most of the time but have cranked it right up on several occasions for really trashed and commercial carpets.

The difference it makes is the speed flushing out the dirt, normally a single pass perhaps 2 on the worst bits when with a lower powered machine it might take 4,5 or even more! Follow up with a dry pass or 2 and I've recovered most if not all of the extra water put down.

For example on speed difference I do a really dirty wine bar carpet every 2 or 3 months, did it for the first time with eclipse Sunday night and I was in and out in 1 hour and 45 minutes. My best time with other machines was 2 1/2 hours!

And this time it was dirtier than usual because it hadn't been done for nearly 6  months because they were going to change it but decided otherwise.

In my opinion: You can do a good job with a 100/135psi machine however having a bit more power in reserve is very usefull and will definately speed up your work time on certain jobs.

Kind regards,
Jason.

[chrisg]

imo higher psi will not only speed you up (quicker wanding) but the greater impact from the solution spray will also agitate the carpet, improving cleaning capibilties.

[Daveyboy]

I have a Ninja 400PSI, when I bought it I was told to keep the PSI on MAX all the time. Do you think this is wise? Or should I turn it down, like Jason does, to 150/200 PSI?

[Jason Hedges]

Hi Daveyboy,

I use 150/200psi on nearly all domestic jobs, have gone down to 100 for really low profile carpet (flotex, short tight loop pile etc.) where because of the lack of pile depth combined with higher pressure would mean the solution runs out and free of the wand before it can be recovered.

As said above I only turn up the pressure for really trashed carpets to 3/4/500psi if the level of soiling justifies it followed up with dry passes.

If you are using 400psi with your ninja on all your jobs then I'd recommend after your satisfied with the area you've cleaned you make several dry passes to make sure you recover as much solution as possible and leave the carpet as dry as you can.

Kind regards,
Jason.

[Daveyboy]

Thanks Jason, will try it out.

[Jason Hedges]

No problem,

Try reducing the pressure for low & short profile / lightly soiled carpets. You'll notice the clean will be as good but with less solution to recover you'll need fewer dry passes and leave the carpet dryer.

All the best,
Jason.

[Ian Gourlay]

Jason

Are you saying you need more dry passes the higher the preasure?