[mark_roberts]

Whats the best GPM (gallons per minute) for cleaning and at what pressure?

Or how does GPM and pressure work during the cleaning process?

thanks
Mark

[Dynafoam]

Mark,

There is not a strait-forward answer to this.

Firstly the GPM used is dependant on the relationship between potential pump output, pressure and jetting.

The quoted GPM rating of the pump is normally its' maximum open-flow output.

The actual GPM that exits the wand will depend upon the jetting and the pressure setting - increase either and there is an increase in water output.

having a pump that has the potential to output  more gallons per minute than will ever be used is generally better. To illustrate, a 100psi Flowjet has a relatively low output potential. Resultantly, when the wand trigger is pulled the pressure will drop perhaps as low as 80psi, as the pump cannot supply sufficient water to maintain the full pressure. With a more capable pump however, the pressure will remain close to the closed system pressure.

As to the 'ideal' GPM usage, this itself is dependant on several factors such as the flushing demands of the job, stroke speed etc. This is something that most cleaners adjust for themselves, not normally by changing jets for each job but by altering pressure and stroke speeds.

[Mike Halliday]

I think the best way to look at is to use as high g/min your vacuum system can recover , no point putting it down if you can pick it up

plus don't forget the more g/min the higher temp' will get to the carpet, I worked with a friend last week on a cafe carpet he has o1 jets in his wand and although his tank water was hot( he's got a bane) by the time it got to the wand it was just warm.

I think flow is the missing link in most carpet cleaning systems.

Mike

[Dynafoam]

Mike,

Recovery ability is the factor I intended to include in my last paragraph!

I think you are right about flow - there's no point in reducing flow to produce a drier carpet if in doing so you reduce the temperature and, more importantly, the amount of flushing required to produce a cleaned carpet.

An in-line heat exchanger, placed close to the wand gives better control over temperature at the jet.

[mark_roberts]

Is there any 'research' between amount of flow and vacuum recovery potential or is it just a case of feeling the carpet to determine if too wet or too dry but not clean.

Also

If for example a pump had a GPM capability of 100gpm @ 300psi, the GPM hitting the carpet is controlled by the jets but the pressure is still 300psi?

Trying to understand

thanks
Mark

[Dynafoam]

Mark,

As far as I am aware the only research is along the 'suck-it-and-see' lines that you suggest.

100GPM pumps would be over the top for our purposes (unless you want your Bane to double as a fire engine), but you seem to have understood the basic principal well enough, 

[Mike Halliday]

for the best info on 'high flow' cleaning check out this website
www.steamindemon.com

Mike

[Len Gribble]

Mike

Endorsed by Shaw Industries, Inc it's got to be good.

Len