[John_McGavin]

Hi

Im having a few problems with the pump on my steempro powermax.

A few weeks ago the pump went and was replaced with a new unit. After an hour or so of using the machine the pump started "pulsing" (bit like a car trying to start with a flat battery) and the pressure coming out the wand was erratic.

Took the machine back to Prochem and they had a look over it. They tried making a few adjustments to the pressure swith with no joy and eventally replaced the pump. Tested this before I took it away and it was working fine then over the weekend this has started happening again. Now this isnt happening all the time. One job it can work fine then on the next it can start playing up again 

So far the machine has had 2 new pumps, ive checked the jets, cages and all filters to make sure it wasnt a blockage of some sort.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to try next The machine is still under warranty and my dealer said to go back to them and they would keep it in the workshop for a few days. Problem is its quite far away and it wastes half a day going through to see them so i want to avoid this if possible.

Any ideas of what to try next?

Just in case you need to know its the flojet 100psi model

Cheers guys

John

[Glynn]

Sometimes with demand pumps , they will cycle especialy with a tool thats got smaller jets fitted, try it with a jet total of 08 and see if this cures it, some manufacturers fit a spped control (rheostat) and when turned down will stop this pulsing as you call it, its not really pulsing , its starting and stopping because the tooling thats connected to it cant flow enough water, I bet its worse with upholstery tools ?.

Glynn

[John_McGavin]

Thanks Glynn. Yes it is worse using the upholstery tool. ..... so the holes not big enough to let the pressure of water through properly and is resulting in back pressure?? Have I got that right? Never was any good at physics 


one question though. Why is it intermittent? If it was a flow problem would this not be happening all the time?

Think I'll try some new jets first. Do you know where can I get some??

John

[Glynn]

You can get jets from any CC supplier, eg Extracta. Hydramaster, Prochem, Woodbridge etc.
Sometimes temperature can make a difference as well as can varying power supplies. One other thing you can check is the filter in your supply tank, make sure its clear (enough to breathe through). I always prefered ShurFlo pumps over yours as well. Hope this helps.

Glynn

[John_McGavin]

Thanks Glynn.

The temperature thing has got me thinking. Some jobs I can get hot water & others I dont. will need to see if the hot water makes it worse or vice versa.

Cheers mate

[Doug Holloway]

John,

In the past I have had problems when the clean water tank filter becomes blocked with calcium carbonate(limescale).

Try soaking it in a kettle descaling solution.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Doug

[John_McGavin]

Cheers Doug,

Dont get limescale problems in Scotland mate. We just bottle all our water & sell it to you guys! 

Yes checked all the filters etc, so thats not the problem.

Thanks for the reply though mate

John

[Dynafoam]

John,

Flowjet make two types of 100psi pumps: The 'demand' and the 'bypass'.

The former has a switch at  the top of the pump-head which switches off the pump at a pre-set pressure. the situation you describe suggests that it is the demand switch (or wiring to it) that is playing up.

The latter type of pump runs continuously, and excess pressure is bled off by 'poppel valves' within the pump head. This type tends to be more reliable bur the valve do suffer leakage if the is a build-up of lime-scale of cleaning chemical within the head.

You can differentiate between the two types without looking at the pump itself as the demand pump stops running when you release the trigger whereas the bypass runs continuously.

If you have a demand pump, I would suggest that you discuss with the dealer the possibility of replacing it with the bypass type.

[Ken Wainwright]

John

Clutching at straws. Put an open fitting on your hose and purge the system just incase you have an air lock. I do this everytime I fill the machine from empty and on the very rare  occasions I should let the tank run empty.

Safe and happy cleaning:)

Ken

PS you say you've had 2 new pumps, Would this be just the pump or the pump+motor?

[Len Gribble]

May sound silly, pipe work trap door scenario.

Len

[John_McGavin]

Thanks guys

John - it is the demand version. Cant see the swith itself being the problem though as this is the second pump and im geting the same problems. Could be the wiring though, but I would have thought this would have been tested when the new pump was installed.

Ken - It was a brand new full pump that was replaced

Tried it again tonight and it was working fine. fingers crosed it stays that way, but im not holding my breath.

Len what did you mean by pipework & trapdoor scenario?

John

[Glynn]

It seems my diagnosis is wrong then ? John

[John_McGavin]

Wouldnt say that Glynn.

If bigger jets dont do the trick im just gonna take it through to my prochem dealer & let them sort it out.

Could do without this, especially at this time of year.

Thanks again guys. off to bed now, early start tomorrow

John

[Len Gribble]

John

Internal pipe work problem pressure; make it act like a trap door open/closes.

Len
 

[adl]

The problem with demand pumps when used on any small machinery and yes truckmounts are small machines are in this category where demand pumps are being used is that a demand pump has a micro switch that when the machine needs more water flow it triggers the micro switch and water is then allowed through, when using it with cc equip there is very little water flow actually being put through the pump whilst the tools are in operation therefore the pumps lifespan is dramatically reduced.

Hydramaster have a new kit that they can add to truckmounts that bypass the microswitch and work on relays for their tms, they say that they have had a big reduction in customers replacing pumps after using this. ( i did know the inns and outs of this but i have forgotten so better speaking to hydromaster)

Chemspec have changed there pumps again we now have this new version and have just clocked up 500 hrs in the last 4 months on the tm with no problems,

Should you have problems with your pumps micro switch then these can be purchased from most marine shops for about £5.00 it is worth carrying a spare in the van just in case, they can be changed in the matter of 10 minutes.

I hope this helps a little

regards and safe cleaning

Dave ADL

[*paul_moss]

John i think you will find that Ken is right mate.
I had the same problem a few months ago it drove me mad first pressure there then half pressure ( I have a 135 psi pump).
The problem was I had let the solution tank run out which let loads of air in.Even though I filled it up and it worked ok it still  had air in it and gave me problems on and off with pressure.After priming all the air out ( and not letting it run dry) pressure has been fine.

Paul

[John_McGavin]

Will give it a try Paul, but if it was an airlock would the problem not be constant??

Reason Im asking is that yesterday it was working fine on one stroke of the wand then the next time it would start playing up again.

Whats the best way to test this.. is it just a case of filling the solution tank, then running the pump without any tools attached, pressing in the nipple at the end of the solution hose?

John

[*paul_moss]

Yes John you have to have the end open though (with no wand on) to allow the water to  prime the pump and flush out all the air.
Sounds wierd i know but the air block will be intermittent and vary as the water heats and cools.
As i say the very same problem drove me mad.

Good luck
Paul

[John_McGavin]

Cheers Paul.

Im at that stage just now, its driving me mental.

Will give it a try tonight and see how I get on. Would it be ok to attach the wand but with the jets removed? Just want to make it a bit easier than trying to press in the nipple on the solution hose & getting soaked in the process!

Will let you know how I get on.

John

[*paul_moss]

Yes John take  the jets off and that will allow a good flow,also gives you the opportunity to clean the jets out.
Paul
ps make sure  you have plenty of water in your tank and dont let it  run dry