Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Michael Hickey · Approved Exterior Cleaner

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Western Mass Prowash · Exterior Cleaner

RE: To "air" or Not to "air"

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

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DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Bought a 1/2 inch all flo. Will update the other post as parts come in and I start building.

Michael Hickey · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jeff you are a mine of information and great to share it. Thank you and everyone else for the replies.

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Debated for way too long on compressor.

Pretty sure this will be its permanent location.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

To "air" or Not to "air"

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Ok so I need some feedback from you guys.

I bought a aftermarket regulator and filter (see pic) because it was recommended. But almost all compressors especially big money ones come w a regulator built in. Wouldnt the regulator on the compressor do the same job?

I know i need a water separator before the pump, Does a water seperator act as a regular filter as well?

I'm not fond of the way this is set up in the pic. I'd prefer to have

hose connected directly to compressor- then the other end at water seperator - then pump.

Also is it ok to use 90 degree fittings for air hose in a application like this?

I have 25 ft coiled up under compressor. Should of went w 50ft....plenty of room.

-- Edited by DirtyRoofcom on Wednesday 29th of January 2020 02:20:50 PM

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jeff Wible wrote:
Looking nice Erik,..good quality compressor!

Just a thought on the new aluminum bed. Is it possible at all in your thoughts to maybe put an aluminum flat "top" on the ladder rack? Would be very beneficial in keeping the direct Sun/UV rays off your nice new equipment. Would also give some rain protection. Just wondering about that,..as I have wondered before when I seen these type rigs. I'd like to have a roof of sorts I think.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Wednesday 29th of January 2020 01:01:48 PM

Thanks Jeff. After much debate I picked this because it was locally available, should last a decade or more and was middle of the road w CFM (13.1)

I know what you mean but I think even w a roof all this equipment will suffer to the elements no matter what. It would be nice if it stayed like this forever. I am toying w the idea of covers for the pw and compressor similar to what you would have on barbeque or patio furniture. Although a good idea probably just fly off on the expressway at some point.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

An air regulator and water separator are different things.,...one is not the same as the other. You can get them as a combination,...but they still perform different tasks.

I prefer the water seperator closest to the pump,..the regulator can be anywhere before the pump. If possible,..put your air compressor supply hose inside the buffer tank,..and then run it to the pump. This may not be necessary,..but it's so simple and cheap,..and it really helps if stalling ends up being an issue. The All-Flo's perform very well on their own,..but even one stall is irritating, Ha, Ha,..

Air hose out of the compressor,..then the coils into the tank,...then the air hose into the regulator,..then to the water seperator,...and then into the pump. The water makes for better cooling of the compressed air,..which allows the separator to work the way it should.

*Yes,..you can use 90 degree elbows , not gonna hurt.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Thursday 30th of January 2020 05:44:17 AM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Another thing Erik,..I know that's a nice new compressor, and you may not want to start modifying it,...but one way or the other the instructions to "drain daily" is very important for keeping the compressor working properly and not putting undue strain on the compressor pump. As water builds in the tanks from compressing the humid air,..it will quickly begin to take up the tanks' air volume.

So, you can either open the PITA petkoks on a regular basis,..or you can "T" off the tanks and run a line to an easily accessible spot on the compressor or even the truck bed,.. and attach a ball valve,..and then when it's time to drain,..simply open the valve while the tanks are full of air,...and it will blow the water out very effectively,..and makes a typically PITA job very easy.

Ball valve can be mounted above or below the tanks.

This valve also pulls double duty,..because it also acts as an "easy start" valve.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Thursday 30th of January 2020 06:14:45 AM

Doug Rucker · Vender

DirtyRoofcom wrote:
Ok so I need some feedback from you guys.
I bought a aftermarket regulator and filter (see pic) because it was recommended. But almost all compressors especially big money ones come w a regulator built in. Wouldnt the regulator on the compressor do the same job?

I know i need a water separator before the pump, Does a water seperator act as a regular filter as well?
I'm not fond of the way this is set up in the pic. I'd prefer to have
hose connected directly to compressor- then the other end at water seperator - then pump.
Also is it ok to use 90 degree fittings for air hose in a application like this?

I have 25 ft coiled up under compressor. Should of went w 50ft....plenty of room.

-- Edited by DirtyRoofcom on Wednesday 29th of January 2020 02:20:50 PM

Same exact compressor I have...has been a good one....like Jeff says, drain daily, on long days we drain before every job. Also be sure to run a vent tube from the SH tank out to back of truck....you'll thank me later....we use the Tsunami filter...we have used the one in your pic before but they dont last long....

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jeff your right I have to do that modification. The drain valves are now located in the middle of the truck and draining them there will be messy and inconvenient. I like the idea if a "T" and one valve.
Is there a kit for this?

Jeff look at the pic in the above post. I now have 2 regulators on the setup. Pretty sure this is unnecessary

-- Edited by DirtyRoofcom on Thursday 30th of January 2020 07:01:00 AM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Correct Erik,..one regulator is all you need. And with a good quality water trap, as Doug mentioned may allow you to forego the idea of the coiled hose through the buffer tank,....but the principle of cooling the air remains the same. A water trap works better when the moisture in the compressed air is turned from vapor to droplets. You'll know at some point what works for you.

To my knowledge there isn't a kit for this modification for your drain daily,..wish they would just do that with compressors at the factory. Simple enough though,...my compressor had screw in petkoks,...I was able to simply take them out and insert my own 1/4" fittings. It's fairly simple,..just sit down and draw it out on paper. And then go get the pieces you need.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Thursday 30th of January 2020 11:02:26 AM

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug Rucker wrote:
DirtyRoofcom wrote:
Ok so I need some feedback from you guys.
I bought a aftermarket regulator and filter (see pic) because it was recommended. But almost all compressors especially big money ones come w a regulator built in. Wouldnt the regulator on the compressor do the same job?

I know i need a water separator before the pump, Does a water seperator act as a regular filter as well?
I'm not fond of the way this is set up in the pic. I'd prefer to have
hose connected directly to compressor- then the other end at water seperator - then pump.
Also is it ok to use 90 degree fittings for air hose in a application like this?

I have 25 ft coiled up under compressor. Should of went w 50ft....plenty of room.

-- Edited by DirtyRoofcom on Wednesday 29th of January 2020 02:20:50 PM
Same exact compressor I have...has been a good one....like Jeff says, drain daily, on long days we drain before every job. Also be sure to run a vent tube from the SH tank out to back of truck....you'll thank me later....we use the Tsunami filter...we have used the one in your pic before but they dont last long....

Doug, vent the SH tank? Or you mean the compressor tanks?

Doug Rucker · Vender

DirtyRoofcom wrote:
Doug Rucker wrote:
DirtyRoofcom wrote:
Ok so I need some feedback from you guys.
I bought a aftermarket regulator and filter (see pic) because it was recommended. But almost all compressors especially big money ones come w a regulator built in. Wouldnt the regulator on the compressor do the same job?

I know i need a water separator before the pump, Does a water seperator act as a regular filter as well?
I'm not fond of the way this is set up in the pic. I'd prefer to have
hose connected directly to compressor- then the other end at water seperator - then pump.
Also is it ok to use 90 degree fittings for air hose in a application like this?

I have 25 ft coiled up under compressor. Should of went w 50ft....plenty of room.

-- Edited by DirtyRoofcom on Wednesday 29th of January 2020 02:20:50 PM
Same exact compressor I have...has been a good one....like Jeff says, drain daily, on long days we drain before every job. Also be sure to run a vent tube from the SH tank out to back of truck....you'll thank me later....we use the Tsunami filter...we have used the one in your pic before but they dont last long....
Doug, vent the SH tank? Or you mean the compressor tanks?

SH Tank.....But you have to set your SH tank to feed through a drop tube....this way you never open your SH tank lid.

Doug Rucker · Vender

DirtyRoofcom wrote:
Ok so I need some feedback from you guys.
I bought a aftermarket regulator and filter (see pic) because it was recommended. But almost all compressors especially big money ones come w a regulator built in. Wouldnt the regulator on the compressor do the same job?

I know i need a water separator before the pump, Does a water seperator act as a regular filter as well?
I'm not fond of the way this is set up in the pic. I'd prefer to have
hose connected directly to compressor- then the other end at water seperator - then pump.
Also is it ok to use 90 degree fittings for air hose in a application like this?

I have 25 ft coiled up under compressor. Should of went w 50ft....plenty of room.

-- Edited by DirtyRoofcom on Wednesday 29th of January 2020 02:20:50 PM

Just bought this compressor for my 1/2 inch all flo...wow what a difference more CFM makes......

HF Compressor.JPG

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Heres the answer to my "2" regulator question above

The 2nd regulator goes after the water seperator. These filters have a tendency to restrict the pressure. If you set the regulator on the compressor at your desired 90psi. The psi on the other side of the filters can be lower.

Its recommended to set the compressor regulator higher (100-110) and adjust the regulator after the filter to your desired PSI (90).

I bought a very good seperator from a auto body supply place and they explained all of this to me.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

To

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

RE: To "air" or Not to "air"

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

To

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

RE: To "air" or Not to "air"

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

To

Doug Rucker · Vender

RE: To "air" or Not to "air"

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug and Jeff.
I'll see if I can get a video when it stops raining.
I have 12 cfm
250 ft of 1/2 inch hose
Poly gun
Fatboy tips not sure what size those are
#3 shooter tip (blackmon)
Regulator is set at 90psi at the compressor. I'm considering putting pressure gauge after water seperator to make sure it's not being restricted by the filter.

The only issue I had with 12 volt was pumps not lasting and lack of gpm.

Doug Rucker · Vender

This is from toady with a little wind....using a 0060 nozzle