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jcstomper wrote:

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Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

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jcstomper wrote:

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sick set up.. i wish there was a way to make these with a air compressor and air pump.. I am dead set against electrics lol.

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 One problem with electric (12 volt) roof cleaning pumps is, unless the nozzle size is large enough to keep the pump running all the time when the ball valve is open, they will cycle on and off. All this cycling shortens the life of parts of the pump, and will eventually lead to failure.

I believe this system has DUAL PUMPS, a wise move, because when and if one fails, you have a backup ready to roll !!!!!

An option, if it is not already available, would be to have a bypass installed, to send excess pressure and flow back into the tank.

This way, the pump runs all the time (when the ball valve is open), instead of cycling on and off.

IMHO, if this option is not already one of the choices you can have on this fine product, it would be nice to have.

Of course, those of us who use Air Pumps need not worry about on and off cycling, no matter how small the nozzles we use are.

Cycling on and off is the "Achilles Heel" of 12 volt pumps.

A simple, back to the tank bypass, solves this problem, almost completely!

Once a 12 volt roof cleaning pump is set up properly (with a bypass), the cycling STOPS! 

Then, the only "problem", becomes not exceeding the duty cycle of that particular pump.

Heat buildup (the chit that happens when the pump runs all the time) becomes a factor, a factor that is totally absent, in an air pump.

But, an air pump setup, with compressor, is not only quite expensive, but it is also space consuming.

That is not a problem for us, since 90 percent of our business is cleaning roofs.

Our trucks are dedicated to the only thing we mainly do.

But, for a cleaning contractor, who cleans more then just roofs, the extra space required for a full blown air pump set up just may not be available!

 

 

 

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 totally agree! We clean more then just roofs, so thats why i think this skid set up is pretty sick.. but... that being said, i would rather need more space and use the air set up, then deal with electrics..

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 WE clean a LOT of huge (10,000 sq ft and up) Tile roofs nearly every week JC.

Most 12 volt pumps can not be run constantly for more then 1/2 of an hour, w/o melting them 

Of course, fans can be added (as well as heat sinks) to extend the duty cycle a little, but it is, what it is!

You do realize that I pioneered air pumps for roof cleaning, so you are "preaching to the choir" 

In fact, I pioneered a lot of things roof cleaners now take for granted, that were once "radical ideas" when I first told people about them.

Back when we USED to use Hose Reels (we don't anymore) Swivel Failures were very common. So common in fact, we always carried a couple of spares, to replace them in the field, when they started leaking all over.

Here I am (I was much younger then) presenting the very first PVC Hose Reel Swivel, to the roof cleaning world, in my own "unique" way.

LOL

 

Doug R wrote:

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We get 6-8 months out of our electric pumps. We actually just replace them before they go out, or try too... At 128$ a pump, and all the work they get, we are quite pleased with them. There just a disposable pumps and a part of doing business like the air pumps are.

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 That's great to know Doug! 128.00 is a very small price to pay, for all the work you get out of it, before it dies!

I was unaware they lasted that long. We never got anywhere near that amount of life with either a fat boy, or a Pentaflex.

Neither did our mutual friend, and moderator here, Larry Millette.

Regardless, Paul has you covered here in this unique exterior cleaning product, with a dual pump set up! IF one 12 volt pump fails, another is "ready to go"!

No cleaning skid is "perfect", as you know.

Everything is a compromise, in one way, or another.

But, IMHO, Paul has a real winner here with his Water Dragon, when all is said and done.

Dragging a trailer around sucks, as far as I am concerned, especially in traffic. 

With a water dragon, all you need is a decent pick up truck, and you are ready to roll!

Do you have any pics of yours you can Post Doug ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug R wrote:

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Chris, I posted some pics in this thread. They are on the first page post # 11 or 12 or something like that.

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 Thanks Doug! I went back and saw them, what a nice clean installation you have, all made possible by Paul's clever Water Dragon!

I see your surface cleaner, and the tanks, aND 3 HOSE REELS, sorry about the caps!

Why 3 hose reels Doug, can yoou be more descriptive about how everything works ?

Is tthe 3rd hose reel for water hook up to feed the pressure washer ?

Please explain everything

zjim wrote:

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Also how big is the roof mix tank?

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 There are two 55 gallon tanks.  One is for full strength, the other is for mix.

Chris, by the way, thanks so much for asking me to explain this and show pics. This rig may not be for everyone, but in 1 month I made my 7K investment back, and am getting ready to put another one on the road. Know your market and then know what your equipment needs are. That is crucial to be successful in this business, as you have well preached.

I cant get over how sweet of a set up this thing is!