Could I do 16 gpm?

[1105]

I run two 27 hp Kohler engines and flow 8 gpm at 3000 psi each. I am set to run up to four lines, but mainly use two. Could I series these units into one line with a splitter, upgrade my wand, use a size 15 or 20 nozzel and get around 16 gpm on this one line. I pull from a tank and feed the tank with atleast two hoses on city water pressure.

Any info would help.

Thanks

 

[James S]

I would think that you could but you would have to upgrade all your lines as well. I also am not sure how your pressure and/or flow switches would react with two machines being on the same line. I would think that you might have to change your unloaders as well to handle high gpm or just use an open trigger all the time.

 

[CaroliProWash]

Depending on where you are in NC.....you might not be getting that much city water for a while

Celeste

 

[1105]

I won't sure if I was seeing it the correct way.

I was assuming each unloader would still flow the current 8 gpm and with each kicking in around the 3000 psi mark that I would not have to worry about anything as long as a 3/8 inch line could handle that much flow at the given psi. I know I would have to change my wand, etc. I guess this is not that simple.
What would I have to change with the line and unloader or I guess in what way would it have to be changed. I am wondering if I should just let it be rather than experimenting. I'd hate to end up in the shop.

Celeste I am in Wake County and you are right about the city water, luckily I have other sources of water to fill my tank. I only started running four lines during the stage 4 restrictions in Durham to comply with my permit, this abled me to make up the difference in time after dropping back to the required 50% reduction. Now I will be hauling the water in. My intent here was that if I was working alone on a given day, the more water I could flow the faster I could get the job completed and keep the ability to control my flow by cutting a machine off, changing nozzels, etc.
I am always looking for a way to speed up yet do a great job.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[CaroliProWash]

Did you see the article on the news last night about Wake County water wasting! You could have peeled me off the ceiling! Every day WAKE county (not NC, just Wake County) uses between 1,327,000 and over 5,000,000, yes 5 MILLION gallons of water PER DAY.

Now, this is the kicker. It's not from industries like car washing or pressure washing. It is from facilities like NC State University who has never upgraded their water pipes, fixtures and leaky plumbing, other industries that utilize water for production reasons, The County is already revisiting limiting pressure washing & car washing as they have realized that hurting businesses is not an effective conservation method. So.....there's also supposed to be a special news event on Saturday night (Raleigh channel I think) specifically about car washers and such. I have a call in to the production person from the PWNC These people do NOT want to have a bunch of companies hollering discrimination, that's for certain.

So, 1105, who are you anyway? Have we ever spoken or corresponded off the forum?

Celeste

 

[1105]

Celeste

No, I just joined the other day. However, I have been reading on the site at times for years. I run Carolina Pressure Washing in Eastern Wake County (Wendell/Zebulon area) as a side business. We do work for several contractors in the Raleigh area. I am debating on going all new construction, right now, I am am about 90% new constr.

Nice to meet you, my name is Jamie

I want to see that special on the news, I will be watching for it. I don't understand these people who think pressure washing, power washing, or what ever they want to call it, uses so much water. If someone would drag the media out to a home, clean it normally, they would see that it does not consume that much water. They all have a false sense about the water usage. I can clean a 1000 sqft house in 10 - 20 minutes or approx 100-125 gallons and do professional job. I don't half way do anything, its how I grow my business. Thats like running a sprinkler in the yard for 20 minutes. We are trying to make a living, not water the grass. I can say that we have got more out of it this year than we did in the 2002 drought. My business picks up during each drought, its the economy thats gonna hurt the most. It all gripes me the same way..lol. I hope you can give them your .02 worth (for us all) if they call you back. Its nice to have someone with some knowledge go to bat for you at times. There are alot of business that waste water in the area, I agree that is where they need to look for true conservation. But, if we made it through the 2002 drought, we can make it through this one. It just puts a strain on us and cuts into our profits. Raleigh voted NO irrigation for 2008, I don't forsee them them shutting everyone down for the whole year. I think they will come up with a unified staging system for all the counties, issue permits or something showing conservation. As far as that goes, allow people to drill wells, think of all the water under the city of Raleigh that is not being used. Sorry for dragging it out. It frustrates me, just the same. Thanks for listening...lol.
Let me know if you hear a channel and time for that special.

 

[CaroliProWash]

Hi back at ya Jamie

The special is on ABC (Channel 11) Saturday at 7 pm. Here's one story that lead into that.
abc11.com: Water customers ask to invoke stage two 1/09/08

Something else going on in the Carolinas that may interest you. The PWNC is meeting in Myrtle Beach on January 26. You should come down and see the presentation. If you like it, join, if not, you'll have a great time meeting some of NC/SC finest companies You can read more about the meeting at Contractor Events

Call me if you want any other information about that.

Celeste

 

[DAFF]

Yes this can be done. Have the same type of set up running of a 3cyl diesel engine. Each pump has its own unloader and return line back to the tank and run quik connects with a T to each output on the high side. Fire up the machine and hold on. Running a 2525 on the end of my 6"lance and using 3/8" HP line.

I have found that any particualr job will take the same amount of water to clean, 4GPM vs 20GPM the only difference is the time to do it. Give it a try.

DAFF