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12 volt pumps

bnkeenan · Guest

Yes... I tried the fatboy with accumulator tank earlier this year, and it did not work out well and went back to pressure tek. Paul kassander at powerwashstore.com introduced a promising new dual 12v pump system he is selling at his site.... After the fatboy fiasco, I went to northern tool and ordered their 5.5 gpm 60psi chemical sprayer.....it is $119 - way less than the fatboy, same gpm/psi performance. for $15 you can get a Extended warranty replacement plan for it. For $119, you can buy two for the price of a fb, and have an immediately swappable backup spare. I make sure to rinse it after each use, and has held up well. Order it here: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200386168_200386168

Guest

Hmmmmm.

Brian - I had a Penta Flex earlier this year and it worked great. I could throttle it back as much as I wanted and not blow a relay or cycle the pump. However; it did quit working and I never did troubleshoot it. I just slammed a spare Fatboy in it's place and kept going. I'll troubleshoot the Penta Flex this winter and hopefully get it going again. PressureTek no longer sells the Penta Flex, so I presume they have been problematic in the long run. That's all I had to hear and I ordered another Fatboy.

Bob - odd, in that most folks that use 12v systems find the Delavan series to work quite well. An accumulator needs to be calibrated with the pump to work properly. The Fatboy is 7gpm (when outfitted accordingly) vs 5.5gpm and I run mine closer to 80 PSI than to 60. I've had a few quit on me, yet recent bench testing has revealed connections/relays to be the culprit. All three of my 'old Fatboy' pumps will be rewired and ready for duty again soon. Sorry your luck has been different. If I can be of any help troubleshooting, feel free to give me a call. I have them down to a science.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · Dec 10, 2011

I have my Fatboy set at 90psi. I am in the process of replacing my first Fatboys relay with a car relay switch.

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Dec 10, 2011

I didn't know Bob isn't selling the Pentaflex any more. Gotta call him to see if he has one laying around, I like mine and would like to have a back-up.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · Dec 10, 2011

I got lucky. When the relay went out on my Fatboy the local Agri-Supply place stocks them. They stock the pumps not the relays.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC on Saturday 10th of December 2011 11:44:54 PM

Guest

The relay is the weak point on the fat boy. I have changed out a few on the one I have this year. Most of my issues have not come from cutting back the pressure, but running the pump wide open for really extended periods of time. The relay contacts seem to get real hot and weld themselves together keeping the pump running when you shut the valve. This pump is about 2 years old now and I'm sure it is starting to build up high resistance so that is probably some of the reason for relay failure.

I would buy another fat boy without regret. I just wanted to know if anyone was using anything new and exciting.

I'm looking at utilizing the pump for some other things and I would need to be able to drop my tip size way down. I liked the idea of the internal bypass on the pentaflex.

Brian

Guest

David - you can find those relays at practically any auto parts store. I get them at Pep Boys for $5-6 each. Just a standard 30A automotive relay. I keep a few spares on hand in the truck.

Brian - I keep reading on Delavan's web page about a Fatboy with a bypass built in. I just haven't commmited to forking over the cash for an experiment just yet. Might be worth a call to them to see if it'd work for your needs.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · Dec 11, 2011

Ted, Relay no big deal. I was talking about Agri supply carries the Fatboy.

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Dec 11, 2011

Brian I plumbed in a 2gpm Delevan to my box truck. Found it on Ebay last year. It sits along side the 5850. I use it for cement work near delicate landscape. It works out great. Doesnt necessarily have to be a delevan. I experimented with one of Pauls pump and had no luck and luckily I had the 2gpm pump as a back up to finish a roof job an hour away.

Liberty SoftWash · Dec 11, 2011

All flo is all i can say 2 years and not one problem!

Soft Wash Wizard - Harrisburg, NC · Guest

My experience is the same as Eric. Same AllFlo air pump run for two full seasons with out any issues. I believe having a proper size air compressor, rinsing it out after every days work plus a squirt of WD-40 keeps it working with out any issures. Plus we can hit the high roof ridges with out any problems from the gutters on 10/12 & 12/12 pitch roofs that we always work on. We have a new AllFlo spare in the box ready to use but hasn't been necessary. Also, no down time wasted on changing out 12V pump accessories. Why don't you 12V guys try an air system I seriosly believe you would like it once you had one set up.

Liberty SoftWash · Dec 11, 2011

Soft Wash Wizard - Harrisburg, NC wrote:
My experience is the same as Eric. Same AllFlo air pump run for two full seasons with out any issues. I believe having a proper size air compressor, rinsing it out after every days work plus a squirt of WD-40 keeps it working with out any issures. Plus we can hit the high roof ridges with out any problems from the gutters on 10/12 & 12/12 pitch roofs that we always work on. We have a new AllFlo spare in the box ready to use but hasn't been necessary. Also, no down time wasted on changing out 12V pump accessories. Why don't you 12V guys try an air system I seriosly believe you would like it once you had one set up.

Couldn't have said it better then that, i run the rigid air compressor and no problem with that.i don't think the setup cost that much if you are not breaking down and you are cleaning all day.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning By A&E on Sunday 11th of December 2011 09:49:11 PM

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Dec 12, 2011

I started out with air. Better performance without a doubt. Age old pros and cons to each. We dont use trailers so space is the main issue.

Apex Roof Cleaning · Guest

Nice topic, I'm gonna be starting out in the spring and I need to buy a up, I haven't made any decisions yet, but all flo may have just earned some points.

Chesapeake · Guest

The problem with the Pentaflex is that the internal bypass doesn't necessarily flow enough volume to offset for the lower flow on the outlet side of the pump. This causes the pump to intermittently cycle, just like the Fatboy. Just as the Fatboy, the relay blows. Now, the next problem is that the Pentaflex relay is located inside the motor housing, encased in epoxy. This makes it a lot harder to swap out. I personally have no experience with the Pentaflex, but was given the info from Bob at Pressuretek.

I've been using Fatboys for the past 3 seasons, and 5850s before that. I'm probably going to switch back to the 5850 for residential and use the Fatboy for larger commercial projects.

Jason LWRC · Guest

Eric- that rigid compressor you use, could I get the specs on that? I'm in the market for a new compressor and I'm looking to get a good compressor that is reliable and has enough psi/cfm to handle all-flo set-up. Just trying to keep from buying the wrong one.Thanks.

bnkeenan · Guest

I have the rigid dual tank compressor i was using for my all flo. Ive taken them both off my rig to make room for a 8gpm hot water skid. Here are the specs on it: The RIDGID 9-Gallon Portable Gas Air Compressor delivers 11.5 SCFM at 40 psi and 10.2 SCFM and 90 psi. Its superior air delivery helps you operate more tools simultaneously and maximizes tool performance. The convenient wheelbarrow design features an oversized Hoosier pneumatic wheel for easy maneuvering around a job site. 5.5 HP motor features a large piston and cylinder for low RPM and a long performance life Delivers 11.5 SCFM at 40 psi and 10.2 SCFM and 90 psi 150 psi maximum pressure Superior air delivery helps you operate more tools simultaneously and maximizes tool performance Enclosed belt guard cools the pump for longer-lasting performance Unique control panel design increases your protection and air flow Low-oil shut down Steel tank and cast iron pump Convenient wheelbarrow design has an oversized Hoosier pneumatic wheel for easy maneuvering around a job site Includes an efficient Solberg-style filter and a Stainless steel exhaust tube that helps eliminate vibrations Also includes a ratcheting regulator that provides consistent tool performance and better results

RCIA Founder

Jason LWRC wrote:
Eric- that rigid compressor you use, could I get the specs on that? I'm in the market for a new compressor and I'm looking to get a good compressor that is reliable and has enough psi/cfm to handle all-flo set-up. Just trying to keep from buying the wrong one.Thanks.

IF you can find a larger compressor then the Rigid, I would highly suggest it.

Roofing up north slows down in the winter, and you can buy good used large air compressors fairly cheap on Craigslist. These larger compressors have bigger air tanks, and more CFM. They make all the difference in the performance of your air pumps.

If all you do is keep the same air pump you have now, and go to a larger compressor, you will think you have a new pump. This is for 1/2 inch and above pumps, I have never tried a larger compressor on the 3/8 All Flow, simply because I have never used a 3/8 all flow. The smallest air pump I have ever used is a 1/2 inch (we use 1 inch pumps now)

We used Rigid Compressors and 1/2 Yamada pumps for years, but haven't used either in years . We use a Wilden 1 inch Hastelloy Air Pump, and a huge Bel Aire Compressor.

It is 18.7 CFM and has a hot dog style tank for more air capacity.

Mr Maintenance · Dec 16, 2011

I havent decided 12v or Air, but it does seem that there is more breakdowns with the 12v. Not sure if I'm right buy saying that, but i havent read on any of the forums about problems with the air system. I was leaning towards the 12v for a start-up and know there are guys that are very happy with 12 v.

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"