[ftp]

How low have you got your pump? I'm always getting an air lock with half a tank of water. My pump is now about two inches off the floor. Maybe it's because I keep the pump switched on all day and the hose pressured up?

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

At the very top of the tank.  I think air locks are more due to poor plumbing than where the pump is.  I never get an air lock.

Simon.

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

What would you call 'poor plumbing'?

[ftp]

Interesting, it has to be because I dont switch it off then. I brake hard and then get a bubble of air.

[Spruce]

What would you call 'poor plumbing'?

I have my pumps half way up the side of the tank and my son has his virtually at the top of his tank. Neither of us have had airlock problems. 'Poor Plumbing' would refer to air leaks on the suction side of the pump from the tank.
Both our tanks outlet sockets were sealed with PTFE tap before the pipe couplings were connected. The reinforced plastic hose was softened with hot water before being squeezed on with 'O' clips. We have Shurflo pumps on our vans and find the filter connected to the pump inlet needs to be carefully tightened up that little bit extra to ensure an airtight seal - its a taper fit.

There is no other way for the pump to draw air into the system.

Spruce

[Sir Squeaky]

I get air in my system and have to clear it after every move of the van.
Seems that it sloshing about causes it.

[Spruce]

I get air in my system and have to clear it after every move of the van.
Seems that it sloshing about causes it.

Hi Squeeks,
I don't understand why that would happen. Even if it did slosh around, the pump is not operating when you are moving - all it is doing is keeping the line pressurised if you haven't turned it off so will be drawing a miniscule amount of water.
Both our tanks are uprights - I could see a problem developing with a flat tank when the water level gets low. The original unit we started with was one of Peter Fogwells trailer systems with 3 x 125l tanks coupled together. This gave us no end of troubles at the end of the day with air as the pump would rather suck air from the empty third tank (the one over the near side wheel which was usually up on the kerb), even although the 1st tank still had ample water covering the outlet.
Spruce

[chopsie]

I get air in my system and have to clear it after every move of the van.
Seems that it sloshing about causes it.

I have the same trouble,I got a 400L lay flat tank,Gets very annoying

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

What would you call 'poor plumbing'?

The air gets in on the negative side of the pump (inlet) you may think it's plumbed in well as no water leaks from this side ie tank outlet, strainer or any splitters.  However the joints won't necessarily leak water but they may well draw in air if the fittings are not tight enough.

The advantage of having pumps up high is they can be easily drained of a subzero winters night.

Simon.

[Sapphire Window Cleaning]

I get air in my system and have to clear it after every move of the van.
Seems that it sloshing about causes it.

Do you have an outside port?
I ask this as I have recently fitted an outside port to my van and at every customer I clean I will have a splutter when I turn on the water, but this is due to the hose being disconnected from the outside port and air going into the hose reel.




Matt

[Andrew46]

I have the same trouble,I got a 400L lay flat tank,Gets very annoying

How do you clear the air lock?  Is it just a case of disconnect hose to inlet DI, suck and syphone off??  Don't you find it hard to keep disconnecting the hose from connector??

Or is there any easier way I don't know of??

[john tomkins]

How low have you got your pump? I'm always getting an air lock with half a tank of water. My pump is now about two inches off the floor. Maybe it's because I keep the pump switched on all day and the hose pressured up?

Didn't you cure it from 9 months ago then?
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=76422.0#msg670987

I had same problem as you are getting and never had it since I moved pump low as it will go and added a check valve

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

a quick blast at full throttle of the pump should clear it. I have to do this before every job.

[chopsie]

I just give it a blast on number 9 setting with other end of hose in tank so no wasted water,I not got dI in van,just tank and pump box

[geefree]

Pump is above my tank,..no probs.

[Sir Squeaky]

a quick blast at full throttle of the pump should clear it. I have to do this before every job.

I just give it a blast on number 9 setting with other end of hose in tank so no wasted water,I not got dI in van,just tank and pump box

Glad it's not just me then!

[Sir Squeaky]

I get air in my system and have to clear it after every move of the van.
Seems that it sloshing about causes it.

Do you have an outside port?
I ask this as I have recently fitted an outside port to my van and at every customer I clean I will have a splutter when I turn on the water, but this is due to the hose being disconnected from the outside port and air going into the hose reel.




Matt

I don't even know what an "outside port" is, so I doubt I've got one...

[matt]

I get air in my system and have to clear it after every move of the van.
Seems that it sloshing about causes it.

Do you have an outside port?
I ask this as I have recently fitted an outside port to my van and at every customer I clean I will have a splutter when I turn on the water, but this is due to the hose being disconnected from the outside port and air going into the hose reel.




Matt

I don't even know what an "outside port" is, so I doubt I've got one...

its a port that is on the outside of the van 

[Sir Squeaky]

Like Southampton?

[matt]

Like Southampton?

aye, your getting the idea now

on a serious note, its like a hoselock connection on the outside of the van