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Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Fatboy issues, any ideas? Pump will not start.

May 11, 2011

I don't think it was switching from the tank. It could be the relay switch I have had that problem with them in the past when they are getting old. Have you tryed tappping it with a hammer { like a car starter } while the switch is on?

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

I have not tried that, but I will try that.. It's gotta be some electrical component because it was working fine and then it just shut off.

The pump is not even close to a year old, so hopefully it's not the pump again.

My normal way of rinsing started leaking, which is why I disconnected the hose and dunked it in a bucket of water..

Bob Williamson · Guest

It's either the pressure switch or relay. If you hear a click when power is turned on it's the relay. Give me a call and we can figure it out.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Bob, calling you in a few minutes, thanks..

When I flip the toggle switch to on, I hear nothing at all. For the record for other folks here, is it a bad idea to remove the hose from the chem tank and submerge into a bucket of water to rinse? Can this cause the problem I have or is it probably a coincidence?

Also, is it possible that there is air in the system, or would I hear the pump running at least if that were the case?

Bob Williamson · Guest

Coincidence on the hose switch. Air has nothing to do with it if the pump does not turn on at all.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Okay thanks, damn Murphy's Law bit my in the tail again ha ha ha.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Excellent service from Bob at Pressure Tek, as usual.

May 11, 2011

I think Bob frowned on my hammer idea. Let us know what the problem was.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · May 11, 2011

I'm confused. Is this posted in the premium side also? Is there 2 posts?

May 11, 2011

Yes he placed it on both sides.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · May 11, 2011

Thought I was losing it for a second.

Central Iowa Roof Cleaning · Certified Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning Specialist

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:
Excellent service from Bob at Pressure Tek, as usual.

Great person to work with, I agree.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · May 11, 2011

Gotta love Bob

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · May 11, 2011

Most likely it is the pressure switch relay that failed.

I did not use my 1st Delavan Fat Boy pump for almost 3 months after I bought it. It was physically mounted on my trailer but not wired in before I got busy for several months. In that time frame the SH vapors from my SH tanks had corroded the relay internals. I have noticed on the Delavan Fat Boy pump I got the other day, that the relay is now sealed with a potting compound.

Scott Davis sold me on the Flojet PentaFlex 7.0 that competes with the Delavan Fat Boy pump. It comes with the relay completely incased in the potting compound This makes the pressure switch relay impervious to its surrounding environment. I am waiting for it to arrive. Bob sells it also.

If the problem is the Delavan limit switch, you can test it by wiring 12 volts straight to the "+" & "-" inputs of the pump. Thus bypassing the limit switch long enough to see if the pump comes alive. If the pump starts then you know that it was the limit switch that failed. Limit switches go out when the pump cycles on/off too frequently. They are easy and cheap to fix. Do not buy a new limit switch assy. The actual limit switch is made by Omron and can be bought at any electronic parts distributor for under $1 each. Big cost savings.

If it is the limit switch, pm me and I will post Omron's part number and where I bought mine from.

It helps when you have an electrical engineering background. roof cleaning

Guest

Phil, Call me in the morning. I am very familiar with these pump/electrical issues. I can help. Fat boys are not as complicated as they seem. Brian

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Thanks everyone, will give all ideas a try today. Brian, when should I call?

Marcus, I'd say your background came in handy!

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Sorry, I shouldn't have posted this in 2 places, I'll update both posts and they can be merged and moved one place if deemed necessary.

Marcus, are limit switches and relays the same thing? Pressure Switch, Relay, Limit Switch, man, I apologize, but I'm still learning to work on these, so I appreciate any clarification. aww I attached a few pics so you could see what burned up(relay, I assume?).

Bob informed me of how to adjust the pressure better so the pump doesn't cycle as much, so hopefully these parts will last longer next time.

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · May 12, 2011

Limit switches and relays are two different things. The limit switch is inside the area that you turn with an allen wrench to set the pressure. The limit switch has 2 red wires that come out of the assembly that it is insie of. Those red wires go to te relay that is in your pics. I can tell by the way that the plastic has melted around the metal spade lugs on the relay that it is over cycling. That creates heat and is what did you in. Replace the relay.

ShingleMD · Guest

Buy a second pump have it sitting in your truck . Time is money , when this problem occurs again you may be on a job not just rinsing at home . with a spare you are up and running in no time , with out one you are making excuses to the customer . I keep a spare truck to cover 3 businesses , specialized equipment that cant be rented , I have a back up . My system isnt perfect but I rarely loose work time due to equipment failure . Its too costly

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"