Here's a list of information on the FATBOY picked from various threads that I thought should be all put together in one thread.
Click on the links above to read the FATBOY's performance chart, friction loss chart, and type in numbers on the nozzle calculator.
The new 12V Delavan FATBOY 7gpm pump operates at peak performance using LARGE nozzles and hose.
#30 nozzles and 5/8" hose are too small, and are meant for the old 5gpm pump.
Using the #30 nozzle causes the 7gpm pump to max out at 29amps draw and will choke it, running at half speed. These nozzles will quickly kill your pump from excess amperage draw and overheating.
#40 works better but it is still overworking the pump out at 26.5amps, and chokes your flow running at only 2.5gpm.
Use at least #50 nozzles. This is the smallest nozzle you should use for the new FATBOY. Pump will run much smoother and shoot farther than the old 5gpm pump without maxing the pump out. Pump performs at 80psi 4gpm drawing 23amps.
#60 nozzles also work well to give you more flow and good distance.
Pumps performs at 60psi 5gpm drawing 21amps.
#70 nozzles will give you more flow than the 60 nozzles and shoots surprisingly far
Pumps performs at 40psi 6gpm drawing 19amps.
All three nozzles perform well - good flow and distance 0050 nozzles shoot the furthest, 0070 gives the best flow, 0060 is in the middle -experiment with the different sizes to see which ones you like the best
Use 3/4" output hose, 3/4" PVC ball valve for the 7gpm FATBOY or Flojet Pentaflex. Use 1" intake hose for both pumps.
Use 10 gauge wire, 30+amp switch/fuses, and a BIG battery. I use a 770CCA/900CA battery
I buy my large nozzles from Lori with Pressure Washer Products. __________________________________________________________________
Here's a couple of threads of guys who have tried different size hoses, guns, nozzles and posted their results.
Small hose-small gun-small nozzles = Less flow, less distance Large hose-large gun-large nozzles = More flow, more distance
Using the FATBOY with #40 nozzles you only get 2.55gpms drawing 26.5AMPS.� You can test this by filling up a 5 gallon bucket and time it.� You can also type in the numbers on this website.
You also need .6 Horse power to push this much volume through a #40 nozzle to get 122psi.� The pumps maximum power output converting AMPS to Horsepower is only .4 Horse power.� So using #40 nozzles will cause the pump to be overworked and slow down by 33%, operating at only 66% of peak performance.
AMPS X VOLTS = WATTS 25Amps X 12 Volts = 300 Watts
WATTS X .00134 = HORSEPOWER 300 Watts X .00134 = .4 Horsepower
In other words, you are getting a considerable amount of flow loss using the #40 nozzles, defeating the purpose of buying a larger, high volume pump.� You are not getting your money's worth.
Using 1/2" hose on the FATBOY 7gpm pump, will also kill it's flow and pressure with a 50psi loss per 100 feet.� This will quickly fry your pump, relay switch or fuses very fast from excess amperage draw.� The poor pump has to work it's a$$ off to try to compensate for such a small inside diameter hose. Using the 12V Delavan 7870 FATBOY 7gpm pump the difference is even better going from 5/8" hose (20psi loss) to 3/4" hose (7psi loss) per 100 feet.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Saturday 6th of August 2011 11:30:18 AM
It amazes me that you can compile this information. lol....
Here comes the whole hose sieze debate again.
I agree and disagree. The 5/8" and 3/4" DO give you better performance. However, not good enough to justify killing yourself trying to drag that size hose around. If you do a ton of very tall very steep roofs, and an extra couple of feet makes or breaks you, then no doubt, get the biggest hose you can.
But for most people, lugging around that hose all year on the off chance you may have a house that an extra few feet of reach will make all the difference, just doesnt make sense.
We use 1/2" hose and Ball valve and the only issue we have had is the relay which we found a fix for.
I can post some of the huge properties cleaned w/ no problems if you wish.
Killing yourself? Are you serious? Doesn't bother me. 3/4" hose is not that heavy.
You'd have to be pretty weak for it to wear yourself out.
It's not a debate, it's very simple.
If you want to get work done twice as fast use big hose, a big ball valve, and big nozzles
If you want to work longer and spend more money on pumps because they will not last as long than if you used bigger hose, valves, nozzles, than use small stuff.
I just looked at a local farm store, Rural King, and they carry the Delavan pumps. Fat Boy included. Not every one will have access to these stores but they are another source for pumps if you have one in your area and no shipping charges.
I just looked at a local farm store, Rural King, and they carry the Delavan pumps. Fat Boy included. Not every one will have access to these stores but they are another source for pumps if you have one in your area and no shipping charges.
You're right Jeff. 5/8" - 3/4" is just pushed often as THE best hose for roof cleaning w/out the cons associated with it.
I dont think you can go wrong w/ the 1/2" 5/8" or the 3/4, it is just preference.
There IS no Hose "debate"
When it comes to performance bigger hose is better.
5/8 is better then 1/2 and 3/4 is better then 5/8.
Now personal PREFERENCE enters into it
SOME like the smaller 1/2 in Hose.
They feel it is easier to use ?
Whatever ?
I could care less
But to think there is "little to no difference" in performance by going to 5/8 from 1/2 is incorrect.
Those of us that HAVE gone from 1/2 to 5/8 know better. Not only do we have the Math to back it up, but actual experience as well.
I have a 2007 Ford F 150. It has a 200 hp V 6 motor and is pretty quick. I would say it performs well and is plenty fast for me. BUT - I do not Delude myself or others into thinking it is a V8
You're right Jeff. 5/8" - 3/4" is just pushed often as THE best hose for roof cleaning w/out the cons associated with it.
I dont think you can go wrong w/ the 1/2" 5/8" or the 3/4, it is just preference.
There IS no Hose "debate"
When it comes to performance bigger hose is better.
5/8 is better then 1/2 and 3/4 is better then 5/8.
Now personal PREFERENCE enters into it
SOME like the smaller 1/2 in Hose.
They feel it is easier to use ?
Whatever ?
I could care less
But to think there is "little to no difference" in performance by going to 5/8 from 1/2 is incorrect.
Those of us that HAVE gone from 1/2 to 5/8 know better. Not only do we have the Math to back it up, but actual experience as well.
I have a 2007 Ford F 150. It has a 200 hp V 6 motor and is pretty quick. I would say it performs well and is plenty fast for me. BUT - I do not Delude myself or others into thinking it is a V8
I have used both. And it does make a difference. But here are some negatives that go along with it, that in my opinion, dont make the "extra" performance worth it.
Its like going from a 200hp V6 that you can start w/ a key to a 210hp V6 that you have to push start. Just not worth the extra 10 hp.
That being said, as long as you are cleaning roofs PROPERLY, it doesnt matter what size hose you use. I am very glad that more and more people are adopting the correct methods of cleaning and moving away from the pressure systems.
Thanks Chris!
-- Edited by Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX on Saturday 18th of April 2009 10:55:27 PM
I do agree that some larger hose is hard to use. AG Hose for one. 5/8 AG Hose is way stiff until it breaks in. And even then it is not as easy to use as 1/2 inch hose. But Red Kurri Tek 5/8 hose is light/strong/easy to use.
Like you said Scott - the MAIN thing is that we are NOT using pressure
I heard somewhere that you wre plumbing 2 Fatboys together like you did with the 5800?? Have you done that yet?
Not yet. I bought two FATBOYs but I currently have my 5800 5gpm pump and the FATBOY plumbed together, and I added a second switch so I can operate them independently.
When my 5800 dies, I'll plumb both FATBOYs together.
I have decided not to run them together through one hose unless I am transferring chemical using open flow with no nozzles.
Running them together through one hose does work, but I think they will last longer from drawing less amps if I run them each by themselves, either one at a time or together with two hoses.
Im going to invest in a fatboy in the next few weeks. My little pump has been acting up and I want to upgrade to something a little better. I will be shopping around for the best price. I have a Northern tool near by so Ill see what they have
Northern tool does not have the fatboy, just go to www.pressuretek.com and order it, you will get in usually 3 business days standard shipping. Fatboy rules!!!!!!!!
The design of the fatboy is the same technology that Sea World uses to circulate the water in the shark tanks. The fan in the Fatboy keeps the pump cooled, preventing overheating. Two hours running (according to Andy at PT) and it is still cool to the touch.
With the 0040, you're looking at about a 50' distance. With a 1540, you're still looking at about a 25-30' controlled spray.