I'm able to get my pump to work from the ground, albeit not as strong, but lose pressure when I climb my ladder. Bob suggested there must be a leak somewhere on the intake. I'm also getting a leak from the swivel on my reel but he said that's definitely not related. I went to Lowe's for a new line/drop stick so I'm hoping that does the trick. Can't afford for this not to work as it's' my last week for the season.
Anybody experience a similar problem? Next season I'm gonna install the same intake line/filter that PWP uses.
Thx
Your pump is wearing out. Same problem I had with my fatboy. 1st year it shot over 40'. 2nd year it dropped to around 30'. End of season it would hardly shoot 20'. My present set-up, 1" AODD with big compressor shoots right at 70'. I love it.
The first yr I stop running the Love though the reel. I always pull it all off the reel and just hook it into a quick disconnect bypass. I just use the reel for storage now and it works great. If you need any help this winter with setup we can meet up and I will show you what I did and you can get some ideas.
I'm gonna take you up on that offer Eric, sooner than later if you don't mind. I've never seen another set up so it will def help out. Thx!
@ Gary, I don't think that's the problem as I replaced my pump in September.
I definitely need to learn more about my equipment. I've never been a handy guy and always rationalized that I'd be better off selling jobs than repairing equipment, but I can't imagine learning how to wire my own pump can be that hard. The nice thing about the bandit or any other setup is that it's simple, but as I read on here 1000x it's a smarter idea to install yourself so you know all the ins and outs.
Though I have mathmetically PROVED the penalty that happens when you choose to go with smaller hose diameter many times, in many threads, on many forums, some hard headed people choose to ignore science and my suggestions, though I have nothing to sell them.
If fact, there is a thread on a forum about this very subject, and it is simply hard for me to believe how people would choose to compromise the pumps they use, because Ronnie Roof Cleaner uses 1/2 inch hose, and he "cleans a lot of roofs"
Yes, Ronnie Roof Cleaner may clean a lot of roofs with 1/2 inch hose, but he would clean a lot of roofs even better, and much faster, if he replaced that small 1/2 inch hose with 5/8 or even 3/4!
I'm able to get my pump to work from the ground, albeit not as strong, but lose pressure when I climb my ladder. Bob suggested there must be a leak somewhere on the intake. I'm also getting a leak from the swivel on my reel but he said that's definitely not related. I went to Lowe's for a new line/drop stick so I'm hoping that does the trick. Can't afford for this not to work as it's' my last week for the season. Anybody experience a similar problem? Next season I'm gonna install the same intake line/filter that PWP uses. Thx
Mike - Gary's thoughts are on the money, presuming everything else checks out OK; The head pressre is getting to be too much for it. In a pinch (this is risky) you can crank up the pressure on the pump to get a little more distance, but it will only be a matter of time before the the pump head ruptures. The older the pump, the more brittle it's likely to be, and will rupture quicker. (Any leaks on the INTAKE will manifest by a very s l o w prime or losing prime. That's the tell tale for an intake leak.) A shorter hose will help with distance as well, as will straightening the house out, vs leaving it on a reel all coiled up.
Re the leaking swivel, rebuild kits for the Titans are only $10 or so. Keep a couple handy. I keep entire spare swivels on the trucks - if one leaks in the field, we just replace it. I then rebuild it and place it back in the spares inventory. As an aside, I just had a warranty issue with one of my Titans and they took care of it quickly, on their dime. (We have 3 of their reels now - good stuff.)
Lastly, and this is somewhat obvious now I guess, keep spares of EVERYTHING on board, including pumps. First sign of trouble from a pump on my rigs, and it's pulled from service.
If I can be of any help, feel free to call. (If you need another 8-10ft, and must have it by tomorrow, give me a call - there's yet another solution, but I can't post it.)
I have the same bandit set up from Bob. I have only had 2 Problems with it. And it was the same thing you are experiencing and both times it was on the intake side of the pump. Tighten every clamp and fitting you can, a leak on the intake side of the pump it directly effects the performance of the pump. I have put alot of roofs and 2 hugh condo projects on my 1st pump and it still pumps like it was new.
The first yr I stop running the Love though the reel. I always pull it all off the reel and just hook it into a quick disconnect bypass. I just use the reel for storage now and it works great. If you need any help this winter with setup we can meet up and I will show you what I did and you can get some ideas.
@ Ted, good stuff. I'm gonna call Titan this week and do just that. I had a replacement pump, but didn't replace it. Lesson learned.
@ Chris ... I've said it before, your word is pretty much gospel to me. I have no interest in reinventing the wheel, and a lot of this stuff isn't my strong suit so I definitely rely on you guys for most of these issues. I'm good at sales/marketing, it's my background and what I like to do. Fixing pumps, not so much so. When I was rebuilding my setup this season, it was right around the same time that Lori was having issues with her father. I intended to order everything through PWP and build everything myself, taking many of your suggestions, of course with a few adjustments to accomodate my business. I was so busy that I opted for the bandit set up, and it's done everything and a lot more than I can have ever hoped for. Bob's customer service, as we all know, is second to none, in fact he texted me about 20 minutes ago confirming this issue. I certainly don't do anything out of ignorance, or hard headiness (and I know you weren't saying that specifically about me), but sometimes it makes business sense to do things certain ways.
@ Ted, good stuff. I'm gonna call Titan this week and do just that. I had a replacement pump, but didn't replace it. Lesson learned.
@ Chris ... I've said it before, your word is pretty much gospel to me. I have no interest in reinventing the wheel, and a lot of this stuff isn't my strong suit so I definitely rely on you guys for most of these issues. I'm good at sales/marketing, it's my background and what I like to do. Fixing pumps, not so much so. When I was rebuilding my setup this season, it was right around the same time that Lori was having issues with her father. I intended to order everything through PWP and build everything myself, taking many of your suggestions, of course with a few adjustments to accomodate my business. I was so busy that I opted for the bandit set up, and it's done everything and a lot more than I can have ever hoped for. Bob's customer service, as we all know, is second to none, in fact he texted me about 20 minutes ago confirming this issue. I certainly don't do anything out of ignorance, or hard headiness (and I know you weren't saying that specifically about me), but sometimes it makes business sense to do things certain ways.
Yes, sales is 90 percent of it. You can not imagine all the roof cleaners I have trained, who were technically sound, but died in this business, from lack of sales!
Ok jeff what works for you works for you. Still i believe its not my fault i cannot control what i cannot see. Also i had an open trailer that got left out in the rain so that could have been a contributor as well. From the owner perspective though having employees and making thing simple for them as to not have down time is what its about. I seen your comment about having gas in the compressor and i get your piont but im not an idiot. I know you are knowledgable and i respect that but a compressor dosent fit into my business plan anymore. I look at it like this 1- 12 volt pump=135.00 that has cleaned over 250 roofs and about 40 house washes is alot cheaper than buying a compressor-(min 800.00) for a decent one and a 500.00 pump. Will an allflo out last my 12 volt, sure it will but i can buy a 12 volt pump each year for 10 yrs before it equalls the cost of the air system.
-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning New Jersey (1-800-Roof-Clean) on Monday 10th of December 2012 12:44:23 PM
I'd certainly consider one but I simply don't have the space on my trailer. Until I get a larger trailer I have no choice to go the 12v route.
Ha,Ha,..there's always room....Thats one of the funnest things I've done over the years,..is always finding room. I cheated last year though,I added 4 feet to the tounge of my trailer. You may have more space than you realize. Really though, I also run an All-Flo and it has worked really well. A squirt of lubricant in the air intake once a week or two and it wil allow you to focus on other things other than a failing pump.
The problem with an air set up is when the compressor dies so does the air pump. Switched this year from an air set up to a 12 volt set up. I have been on the same 5850 since April and it is still going strong. It also does double duty (house washing and roof cleaning) It has a lot of roofs and house washes under it belt. I too stopped using the titan swivels and just use quick connects. I find the manifolds on the titans fail and I'm not paying to have them replaced. I have all 5/8 hose for the inlet side and 1/2 keritek hose for the spray side. I have no problems with getting 30-35 ft. Frankly that's all you need.
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
The first yr I stop running the Love though the reel. I always pull it all off the reel and just hook it into a quick disconnect bypass. I just use the reel for storage now and it works great. If you need any help this winter with setup we can meet up and I will show you what I did and you can get some ideas.
R U Using Cam Locks Eric ?
Chris, I DO use camlocks. is there a flaw with these?