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Power Washing, Roof Cleaning -> National Softwash Alliance -> General Discussions and Conversations -> Stalling Air Pump
Post Info TOPIC: Stalling Air Pump
Jeff Wible


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Stalling Air Pump
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This is for anyone using air pumps such as All-Flo, Yamada, Versa-Matic etc... These pumps tend to stall at times,..very irritating if it becomes persistent,..these pumps perform very well when operating and are also the most resilient pumps to Sodium Hypochlorite. A big reason these pumps stall is due to water getting into the air motor. After doing some research I found that simply adding a water trap isn't the resolution,..most of the water traps are designed to catch liquid water,..not vapor.
When these traps are placed at the compressor they will not work,..the vapor just passes on through. To solve this you need longer hose between the compressor outlet and the water trap,...the longer hose gives the vapor time to cool and turn into liquid water,..which the trap can now stop from getting to the air motor. I had my pump mounted right next to the compressor with a very short hose,..only about 2',..very neat and compact,..but a TERRIBLE design. Now I have added 50' ft of air hose between outlet and water trap,...And for me,..problem solved!

* My compressor and pump are mounted inside my wash trailer. It is an old Wash On Wheels from a million years ago,..but anyhow,..the tank inside has a big fill top,..so I was actually able to throw the hose down inside the tank for extra cooling,..just left it in a coil and run the ends out of two holes I drilled through the top of the tank and the to the compressor and pump. Confusing I know,Ha,Ha,...

Jeff



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Raystown Pressure Washing

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SprayWash


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Thanks for the info, good tips!

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Ray Burke

Spray Wash Exterior Cleaning

Tallahassee Kitchen Exhaust & Hood Cleaning

 Superior Commercial Exterior Cleaning in Tallahassee, Florida

http://www.spray-wash.com

 

850-528-3226

850-320-6364

 

 
Jeff Wible


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Hey Ray,..yea,..I never knew compressed air was this complicated, HA,HA,..And these air pumps are extra sensitive to the moisture. VERY irritating !!

I tried using a desiccant filter but it seemed too restrictive for my setup,..probably because it was cheap,...but they fill up quick anyhow and I didn't want to keep changing them or replacing the material inside.

Jeff

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Raystown Pressure Washing

Since 1996
Fred W


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Great info Jeff......You might also try a hanging coil of hose. The loops will hold the moisture and you may not need to use 50'.....:}

Great tip.



-- Edited by Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner on Wednesday 2nd of July 2014 01:12:58 PM

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Jeff Wible


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Hey Doug, yes,..as I understand it 50' ft is overkill,...but thats Tractor Supply has a good deal on 50' 3/8" PVC air hose, $9.99. So that's what I bought. Also,..it's inside my water tank in a coil,...so I really don't have to route with the extra hose anyhow,...And as I also understand,..copper is better at cooling than PVC,..so I figured the extra length of PVC will help cool better. I don't know though.

My version is actually a condensed version of how a dry air setup is supposed to be,..but, being limited on space and being mobile, the flexing around, I think would cause leaks. As of now simply cooling the air through the longer hose is working. But from what I've seen from different forums there is a very precise way of getting the best dry air,...copper tubing, refrigeration, drop legs for drains, etc..

* I never really cared that much about water getting into my air tools,.I keep them oiled anyhow,..and even painting,..the way I paint,..a few water droplets in the paint isn't gonna hurt the finish,Ha,Ha,...BUT,..these pumps seem to be sensitive when it comes to the actual performance,..so having dry air is more important.

Jeff

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Raystown Pressure Washing

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Fred W


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Um......Jeff......We're not stupid.....Copper tubing, coiling, cooling......you built a still in your trailer didn't you!

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Jeff Wible


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Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:

Um......Jeff......We're not stupid.....Copper tubing, coiling, cooling......you built a still in your trailer didn't you!

 Mobile Moonshine!

Jeff

 



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Raystown Pressure Washing

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Brian C Jackson


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Jeff great info. I put seperators at the pump and at the compressor. They never need to be drained because the valve is sealed when compressor is running and when the compressor is turned of the seperators open and drain. But I do have 3/8" hose and it is approx 10ft long , so that may also help.

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Brian C Jackson

35 Dodge Road

Pelham ,New Hampshire 03076

http://www.jacksoncontracting.net/roof-cleaning.html

(603)401-8408 

 
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