Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Steve Salley · Approved Exterior Cleaner

K7 bucking and snorting

Andy Hinson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I could be misunderstanding. Shouldn't it be a 1" feed line and a 3/8 return ?

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

1/4" by-pass line? That is way too small for 8 GPM. If the unloader has a 1/4"female fitting ,..you should be using the largest barb available with 1/4" threads,.....You can go much larger on by-pass,..1/2" 5/8" or even 3/4". I suspect you are calling the feed line the hose that goes from the pump to the inlet of the unloader,..3/8" shouldn't be an issue there.

I've always heard the K7's are fussy? I use the Giant Orange spring unloader,..trapped pressure type,..and I like it better than any I've ever used. They use compression washers instead of a spring. Very smooth operation.

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1963-giant-adjustable-unloader-3000-psi-13-gpm-orange-springs.aspx

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Thursday 5th of May 2016 05:33:40 AM

Steve Salley · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Andy the pressure washer is fed with a 1" line from the bulk tank bottom bulkhead.

the line in question is the bypass line out of the back of the K7 for the bypass line back to the bulk tank at the top.

The purpose is to bypass the water when we are off the trigger. I have been told a 1/4" line will cause enough back pressure so it will not cycle rapidly.

However, if the K7 style unloader will not let me dial back my water flow at the wand end so we can adjust our flow rate and pressure while doing edges inside step corners etc etc, then I am going to abandon the K7 concept.

Jeff
With my old spring unloader I could feather the stream back at the wand at will and that way I did not have to wear muddy water along the edges of concrete etc. I have a high pressure shut off right before the wand so I can dial in any pressure I want or wide open

Is that possible with the giant unloader you are using?

-- Edited by Steve Salley on Thursday 5th of May 2016 09:29:38 PM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I also have a high pressure ball valve and can use it in any position I want,..if that's what you're asking. The compression washers are essentially the "spring" ,..and is still a trapped pressure unloader.

Yes,.it works just like any trapped pressure type. These things are heavy duty,..only thing I don't like is they have 1/2" ports,.and have to be reduced down,..not a big deal really.

Jeff

Steve Salley · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Thank you Jeff
I will probably abandon the K7 concept and go with the Giant.

The price at Kleenrite is way less than at Powerwashstore for what I believe to be the same unloader.

This much price difference seems to make me wonder are we talking apples to apples?

Giant Adjustable Unloader, 3000 PSI, 13 GPM, Orange Springs

starstarstarstarstar 0 Review(s) Add Your Review
Manufacturer:
Giant Pumps
Mfr. Model #: 22913A
Part #: PU22913
Stock: Ships from PA | Ships from NV | Ships from TX
Weight: 5.00 lbs
$87.99

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Yea Steve,.they are the same model number 22913,...Other places online also sell it for way less than the vendors who float around the boards.

Kleenrite.com you will get Pa sales tax and also shipping will be charged. Good service with them though.

Try here also,..http://www.kimsupply.com/Products/Unloader-Valves_2/22913-Unloader-3-500-PSI-Orange With shipping should be around $110.00 This is where I bought mine and they ship fairly quickly if I remember right.

Also,..here is a link to a conversation about the Giant unloader.

http://www.propowerwash.com/board/upload/showthread.php?31595-Unloader-Confusion!

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Saturday 7th of May 2016 05:57:40 AM

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I had some issues when the K-7 was installed. I went down to a 3/8" return, then had to change the tips on the surface cleaners upping the orifice by .5 on each nozzle. Getting those things right seemed to take care of everything.