Are you calling us asking for a pressure switch for your 5850 or Fatboy or trying to find out where you can get a relay for your Fatboy?
Pressure Washer Products has the pressure switches for the 5850 and Fatboy 12 Volt Pumps for $14 each. (I shopped around and that is CHEAP!) We can send them in a 2-3 day USPS Priority Box for under $5.20. Most packages arrive in two days!
Here are some of the possible reasons why you are frying your Delavan pump components:
1. Your discharge hose is too small and/or too long. (Use a minimum of a 5/8" ID hose on the 5850 and Fatboy and keep it as short as possible. Use locking poly camlocks to allow you to add or cut length quickly). Most guys use a 200' continuous length of hose and add on 100 or 50 feet if needed with the locking camlocks.
2. The nozzles and JROD that came with your pump in a cute little coffin are TOO SMALL. Yes, smaller nozzles are great because they restrict flow which directly affects chemical consumption and run-off or better known as plant death. The restrictions also heat the pump up quickly and place back pressure on the pump which causes premature death to the pressure switch first and finally the demise of your hard-working pump.
Look at your nozzles (If you can still read them due to rust, hard work and in my case, my age, LOL!!!) What is the orifice size on the nozzle? Hint: The first two numbers indicate the spray pattern, 00 = 0 or fire hose pattern or a straight distance or shotter nozzle, 05 = 5 degree tight fan patten and great for gutters or tight spots requiring overspray control, 15 = 15 degree fan spray pattern and is the most popular spray pattern, 25 = 25 degree fan pattern and very popular for general use soft washing, 40 = 40 degree spray pattern which begins to get a little too wide or misty on the edges of the spray pattern for most users, 65 = 65 degrees or special use wide, 80 = 80 degrees spray pattern or really wide and many more!
The second set of numbers sitting snuggly next to the first two and sometimes separated by a 0 depending the manufacturer, indicate the ORIFICE SIZE and NOT the GPM. For example, a 0040 is a 0 degree spray pattern that shoots a straight shot allowing you to spray the love the greatest distance. The orifice is 40 and the PERFECT CHOICE for the Delavan 5850.
The 5850 lasts the longest when using a 3/4" full port PVC ball valve and 0040, 1550, 2550, 4050 and larger nozzles. The Fatboy likes the same ball valve set-up with 0050, 1560, 2560, 4060, and larger 1/4" MPT MEG nozzles. You can use the nozzle holders available at PWP in stainless steel for convenience. We find that 90% of soft washers use the TriBanger Nozzle Holder. Most guys do not use more than three nozzles....so, why carry around the extra weight?
Don't believe me? Check out the nozzle calculator at the link pasted below:
3. Get rid of the elbow fittings. Minimimize the number of fittings on the discharge side of the pump. Allow the love to flow!
4. Get rid of the gun, poly gun by Udor or garden hose gun available at the hardware store. Do not use a pressure washer gun with the 12 Volt pumps.
5. Get rid of the PVC wand and 45 degree elbow. They drastically cut your distance down and restrict flow. Without the wand and gun and when using only the 3/4" full port threaded PVC ball valve, you may be able to shoot 25 to 45 feet!
6. Use the proper type and ID of hose on the suction side of your pump and use the basic guidelines known in the industry for plumbing pump. Use a minimum of a 1" ID ag type hose that should not collapse under suction or when it is hot out.
Rule of Thumb in Pump Plumbing: If the suction or inlet port is 1/2", double the hose inner diameter that supplies the pump and use 1" ID ag hose. Keep it under 14 feet to prime and mount the pump lower in relation to the tank. DO NOT USE TEFLON TAPE.....USE NON-DRYING LIQUID TEFLON.
7. Remove your pump from it's most certain cause of death due to heat exhaustion, the pump coffin or better known as a battery box. Battery boxes are for batteries and not pumps. These pumps are TEFC pumps already or Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled motors. They do not need to be confined in a tight space or hooked up to a miniature fan from a computer power supply. Liberate your tough little pump earning you lots of money and set it free. Do try to keep it out of the elements. Mount it under something such as one of our base plates that you can install your hose reel on for a very professional and efficient presentation.
8. I know there are more ways to cook your pump but some of these should help to provoke some thought about your system and choices in plumbing.
Please note that these are only suggestions to prolong the life of your pump. You will increase flow and run-off by increasing nozzle size at the same time increasing your pump life expectancy. Decrease the nozzle sizes and decrease the life of your pump to unknown timelines. Think about the following: Figure out if you can afford to replace your pump more often or experience more down time or afford to always keep an unused back-up in your truck in comparison to the increased cost of using a bit more love and dealing with a bit more run-off when using some of the suggestions I posted above. We offer these pumps for $124.99, $169 and $224.99. How many new pumps can you build into the cost of your jobs? How much is the headache of pump problems or down time worth to you on a hot and humid day up on a sizzling shingle roof in mid-August with a helper that just can't seem to stay on task or follow directions? What happens when Delavan is backordered on pumps or pressure switches.....AGAIN? What happens if you use a smaller nozzle and save chemical but KILL your pump on Friday afternoon at the beginning of your biggest job ever that needed to be started on Friday and finished by Sunday night in order to get paid? Does UPS even deliver to my zip code on Saturday? (I hope so....some areas to do not have the luxury or option to receive deliveries on Saturday via UPS). How much is an overnight UPS delivery going to cost including the extra charge by UPS for Saturday delivery? Ugh....Depending on where you are, it can cost $???.?? or money that should have gone into your pocket. Does my pump supplier have this frequently backordered Delavan pump? (It is common for the Delavan factory to be backordered on the 5850 or Fatboy several times during the year and for every supplier to have an empty shelf.) Hmmmmm.......
SPRAYING SYSTEMS Comprehensive Range of Nozzles for any Roof Cleaning Job!
LEARN HOW TO READ YOUR NOZZLE NUMBERS 25045 2560 1/4 MEG STAINLESS STEEL NOZZLE 1/4 MEG STAINLESS STEEL NOZZLE TRANSLATION: 25 DEGREE ANGLE TRANSLATION: 25 CAPACITY
Great post Lori. I recommend using brass crimped on garden hose fittings in 100 foot sections for your chemical hose.
Attach a Female GHT x 3/4" MPT on your ball valve for attaching to your hose.
Brass crimped on fittings will hold up better to the weight and stress of working the hose up and down the ladder and can also be used as an additional water hose for your water tank for your pressure washer in case you need it for house washing, wood restoration, surface cleaning, etc.
Great post lorrie. I picked up that pump you told me about at my local tool shop. It's been working great. I need to get it out of the coffin.
Please send me some info with pictures cuz my brain didn't translate words into pics very well.
I ask you to send bc unfortunately your site is difficult to navigate.
That's all fine and dandy. However; I question the need for the sarcasm pointed to one of your competitors:
The nozzles and JROD that came with your pump in a cute little coffin are TOO SMALL
Might be a good idea to avoid the negative bias with your customer base, as you may have just alientated a percentage of it. I tried to convince another 'high profile" person of this to no avail not too long ago. It's marketing 101.
Just an observation and something to consider, nothing more.
I continue to "vote" with my wallet.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 on Thursday 18th of August 2011 07:42:23 PM
Ted, my best friend tells me the following: "Don't look into things, Lori. You try to read too much into things." If you don't like me, don't read my posts and find yourself stressed enough to take a jab at me. It seems pretty simple.
We choose to educate our customers. What if PWP NEVER TOLD ANYONE WHAT THE INGREDIENT WAS IN HANG TITE? Ammonyx started at Pressure Washer Products per Billy Jensen. What if? Can you imagine? I may have been driving a brand new Range Rover right now with pink leather interior!!!! Nope.....NOT US. We choose to save our customers, fellow competitors and readers money and sometimes a whole lot of money.
We give you the facts and save the painful lessons for those whom have not done their research.
Small nozzles will shorten the life span of the 12 volt pump. I don't think that anyone will disagree.
Do you use ammonyx? Where did you get it? Did you know it began here?
I think that we have found here that I can't give things away without someone starting something with me, yes a female, on this man dominated board. I enjoy the challenge. I have so many wonderful people that I speak with every new day! I hear some of the kindest things.
In case you have not been online or reading a catalog, many suppliers carry the jrod. Look for it. It came out in our 2011 catalog this year. Battery boxes or pump coffins can be purchased everywhere including Walmart.
Have you ever watched the smoke gently rise from a battery box in which a 12 Volt has used up it's last volt? I have been a witness to such a sad demise. Have you ever tried to remove a pump, relay and fan from a battery box and became confused as to what was going on and asked why it had to be so incredibly complex? After all, it should be pretty simple, right? There should be a pump, wire, fuse in a fuse holder and a heavy duty waterproof switch, right? Can't most people wire it themselves? I am really proud of all the guys that choose to learn about their equipment and get out the proper tools to complete the job!
Sometimes guys approach me with their last bit of savings or take out a loan at a pawn shop and ask for a soft system. I want them to know everything. I want them to know the good and the bad as well as knowing how to maintain their equipment.
I apologize to whom I have offended inadvertently including a friendly competitor. My intention is not to offend but merely to inform. To those of you whom would like an apology; I sincerely apologize to you.
-- Edited by Pressure Washer Products on Friday 19th of August 2011 03:13:34 PM
Great point on the accumulator tank. We will soon sell them at a savings. I will never ask customers if they want it. I have the regulator for under $20 and it does the same thing. I have not sold many of them. (under 20) It is the opinion of pump manufacturers that it is extra and placing too much money on a pump system that already works hard for you. You add one more point of failure. Do not get the snap in fittings. When they crack, you have to go back to your supplier and get them. You can't go to the hardware store trying to find these proprietary fittings.
I have yet to fry a fatboy pressure switch...knock on wood, for over 8 months. I used to blow them even with 3/4" hoses. Then I mounted a pressure guage prior to the hose reel and set it at 60PSI. End of the pressure switch problems and the pressure switch relay problems I had even subsided.
For the last 6 months I have been using 1/2" hose with the Fatboy with a triger gun and no problems. When you run a higher pressure it definitely shoots further but the fatboy also draws more electrical current. The higher pressure also causes the relay to cycle more because the pressure switch is cycling more. This excessive cycling of the pressure switch and pressure switch relay over heats them and is what burns them up.
I must say I loved the distance I could shoot at 70 - 80 psi but I love the dependability now of only using the Fatboy at 60PSI.
Ted, my best friend tells me the following: "Don't look into things, Lori. You try to read too much into things." If you don't like me, don't read my posts and find yourself stressed enough to take a jab at me. It seems pretty simple.
We choose to educate our customers. What if PWP NEVER TOLD ANYONE WHAT THE INGREDIENT WAS IN HANG TITE? Ammonyx started at Pressure Washer Products per Billy Jensen. What if? Can you imagine? I may have been driving a brand new Range Rover right now with pink leather interior!!!! Nope.....NOT US. We choose to save our customers, fellow competitors and readers money and sometimes a whole lot of money.
We give you the facts and save the painful lessons for those whom have not done their research.
Small nozzles will shorten the life span of the 12 volt pump. I don't think that anyone will disagree.
Do you use ammonyx? Where did you get it? Did you know it began here?
I think that we have found here that I can't give things away without someone starting something with me, yes a female, on this man dominated board. I enjoy the challenge. I have so many wonderful people that I speak with every new day! I hear some of the kindest things.
In case you have not been online or reading a catalog, many suppliers carry the jrod. Look for it. It came out in our 2011 catalog this year. Battery boxes or pump coffins can be purchased everywhere including Walmart.
Have you ever watched the smoke gently rise from a battery box in which a 12 Volt has used up it's last volt? I have been a witness to such a sad demise. Have you ever tried to remove a pump, relay and fan from a battery box and became confused as to what was going on and asked why it had to be so incredibly complex? After all, it should be pretty simple, right? There should be a pump, wire, fuse in a fuse holder and a heavy duty waterproof switch, right? Can't most people wire it themselves? I am really proud of all the guys that choose to learn about their equipment and get out the proper tools to complete the job!
Sometimes guys approach me with their last bit of savings or take out a loan at a pawn shop and ask for a soft system. I want them to know everything. I want them to know the good and the bad as well as knowing how to maintain their equipment.
That's ok. I can take another attack.
Keep up the great work Lori. I have more experience than most on this board with 12V pumps and anyone who is interested in using them would benefit from Lori's advice.
Fortunately she listened to Chris and I back in the spring of 2009 (no other distributor has)
To check out the original FATBOY pump thread and how it should be installed read this thread.