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How to Plumb Your Soft Wash Pump, Single Tank, Two Tanks, Rinse & Chemical Transfer Set-up

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Have you wondered how to correctly set-up your softwash system? We recommend simplicity as the guiding principle when setting up your system.

For the KYNAR Air Diaphragm Pump Systems we recommend the following:

3/8" Pump: Minimum 5.5 gas HP air compressor

1/2" Pump: Minimum 9 gas HP air compressor

3/4" Pump: Minimum 13 gas HP air compressor

1" Pump: Minimum 13 gas HP air compressor (Ingersoll Rand offers an outstanding model)

  • ALWAYS use NON-Collapsible hose on the suction side of the pump. You should be able to stand on the hose without smushing it flat like you can with clear braided poly hose. Use a PVC Slotted Filter on Suction hose in SH tank. Throw out that low grade, rotting, rusting 'stainless' or nylon filter. (Thanks, Chris Tucker)
  • Have your hose barbs crimped on by a hydraulic crimper to prevent leaks, cuts from hose clamps or pressure loss which affects distance. (We offer crimped ends on all hoses in 316 Stainless Steel, Sch 80 PVC, Brass and whatever you bring to us!)
  • Set your dedicated regulator/filter to 90 PSI.
  • Drain your compresor tank(s) of water at least once daily.
  • Avoid polypropylene hose barbs (too soft and contain fiberglass, sometimes), nylon hose barbs, galvanized fittings, steel fittings and garden hose fittings.
  • Avoid using elbows or 90 degree fittings as much as possible.
  • Minimize the use of extra fittings and ball valves. (I see softwash systems with 4, 3-way ball valves before the pump!) Think, Hose in: Hose out
  • Don't have a tank? Can you get by with a tote or a 55 galon drum?
  • Do not use PVC hard pipe to plumb your pump.
  • Do not use Check Valves
  • Did you consider the need to mix chemical in the middle of the job? Do you need to install 3-Way Ball Valves before and after your pump to help your transfer chemical faster?
  • Do you have your chemical delivered? How are you going to transfer your chemical to your rig? Do you need to install 3-Way Ball Valves or 3 Way Hose Barbs and Ball Valves to transfer chemical? These pumps were engineeered to pump SH 24/7! Use them at capacity!
  • Use Non-Drying Liquid Teflon instead of Teflon tape on PVC to Metal and PVC to PVC. Throw out the Teflon tape. It does not have any use on your rig. (Metal to Metal: Use Medium Threadlock.)
***Important***When choosing the NON-Collapsible Suction hose Inside Diameter (ID), measure the suction port of your pump and multiply by two. For example, the 3/8" All-Flo has a 3/8" Female National Pipe Thread suction port on the bottom of the pump (either side). This pump requires a 3/4" ID NON-Collapsible Suction hose with a PVC slotted filted installed on the end.

The 1/2" Yamada has a 1/2" FPT and would require a 1" ID NON-Collapsible Suction hose with a PVC slotted filter installed on the end. (We carry the special Reducing Hose barbs 1" Hose Barb x 1/2" mpt in Stainless Steel, Sch 80 PVC and Brass and can crimp it on for you.)

Using a Hose Reel? Choose Titan Hose Reels

  • Order the Aluminum Reel with the Stainless Steel manifold. (Rinse everyday)
  • Ask for the Super Swivel (8620A) instead of the stock swivel
  • Don't order the reel that just fits all of your 200' of hose. Pay the extra $15-20 and order the next size up.
  • Consider a U-Channel Reel if you have an open trailer and can mount the reel on the railing. However, don't forget to order the brake kit. It does not come standard.
  • Enclosed Trailer: Do you need to hang your reels to free up the space?
  • Install a 3-Way Ball Valve BEFORE your reel to eliminimate exposing your reel to full strength SH when transferring chems.
  • Ask for a 1/2" brass street 45 (2354) to install on the drum of the hose reel. This prevents the hose from sticking straight out and developing a flat, weak spot.

12 Volt Systems: It is CRITICAL to keep it SIMPLE

Use a deep cycle, high cold cranking amps, fully charged marine battery

~5 gpm 12 Volt Pumps: Use 10 Gauge Wire, heat shrink tubing, heavy duty, water-proof 25 amp switch, inline fuse holder 25 amp fuse, minimum of 1/2" ID hose or 5/8" (better) and 0040, 1550, 2550, 4050 or larger 1/4 MEG nozzles.

~7 gpm 12 Volt Pumps: Use 10 Gauge Wire, heat shrink tubing, heavy duty, water-proof 30 amp switch, inline fuse holder 30 amp fuse, minimum of 5/8" ID hose or 3/4" (better) and 0050, 1560, 2560, 4060 or larger 1/4 MEG nozzles.

  • ALWAYS use 1" ID NON-Collapsible hose on the suction side of the pump. You should be able to stand on the hose without smushing it flat like you can with clear braided poly hose. Use a PVC Slotted Filter on Suction hose in SH tank. Throw out that low grade, rotting, rusting 'stainless' or nylon filter. (Thanks, Chris Tucker)
  • Have your hose barbs crimped on by a hydraulic crimper to prevent leaks, cuts from hose clamps or pressure loss which affects distance. (We offer crimped ends on all hoses in 316 Stainless Steel, Sch 80 PVC, Brass and whatever you bring to us!)
  • DO NOT install the pump in a box of any kind to restrict air flow or to install a fan to improve air flow. I've seen pumps drown and it is sad! Install pumps out of the direct weather and under something such as a base plate or reel.
  • Straight from the Big Guy, Chris Tucker, use a 1/2" or 3/4" PVC ball valve and a reducing bushing and do not use a wand. Most guys install a SS male coupler (4629) and a TriBanger with three nozzles. I rarely ever offer the poly gun in chem resitant or palin black because it can't handle any type of fall for the price compared to the reliability of a PVC ball valve form the hardware store.

    Do not use another 12 Volt pump to inject chemical into your hose. Most low pressure pumps can't handle the increase in pressure. Think about the copious amounts of chemical used when you have very little control. This 'chemical injection by 12 Volt pump' benefits your chemical suppliers profit margin and NOT yours.

  • Avoid polypropylene hose barbs (too soft and contain fiberglass, sometimes), nylon hose barbs, galvanized fittings, steel fittings and garden hose fittings.
  • Avoid using elbows or 90 degree fittings as much as possible.
  • Minimize the use of extra fittings and ball valves. (I see softwash systems with 4, 3-way ball valves before the pump!) Think, Hose in: Hose out
  • Mount your 12 Volt pump wet end down. If your pump should happen to drip, the drip will not soak electrical components.
  • Keep a spare 12 Volt pump in your truck ready to install.
  • Buy spare micro-switches at Grainger or Google them online at a huge savings. They are only $3 compared to replacing the entire switch for around $15-17. You can find the micro-switch by taking apart your pressure switch. It is an easy thing to find and the part number is stamped on it.
  • Do not use PVC hard pipe to plumb your pump. The hoses should flex a bit. Pics of rigs with lots of PVC criss crossing the floor boards and meeting up to a 'manifold of carefully labelled, wall of PVC ball valves" looks like a nightmare waiting to happen in the biggest job, on the hottest day when things just can't go wrong.
  • Do not extend the length of your 12 Volt suction hose beyond 14 feet. It will have a tough time priming and stress the pump. You want the pump to spend it's energy on pumping and not suctioning.
  • Do not use Check Valves
  • Don't have a tank? Can you get by with a tote or a 55 galon drum? These 12 Volt pumps spew out chemical. Be prepared to use quite a bit.
  • Did you consider the need to mix chemical in the middle of the job? Do you need to install 3-Way Ball Valves before and after your pump to help your transfer chemical faster?
  • Do you have your chemical delivered? How are you going to transfer your chemical to your rig? Do you need to install 3-Way Ball Valves or 3 Way Hose Barbs and Ball Valves to transfer chemical?
  • Use Non-Drying Liquid Teflon instead of Teflon tape on PVC to Metal and PVC to PVC. Throw out the Teflon tape. It does not have any use on your rig. (Metal to Metal: Use Medium Threadlock.)

I hope these details help all of you. Thank you for your continued support!

Lori

ALL-FLO SINGLE_TANK.pdf

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Remember to save yourself some money and go to Pressure Washer Products for your softwashing or roof cleaning pumps, chemical hose, chlorine slotted PVC filters, reels and Hang Tite.

We offer kits customized to meet your specific needs and crimp on the hose ends to eliminate the need for obnoxious hose clamps.

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Hi PWP. I initially wanted to purchase a transfer assembly to make life easier, but I have seen a lot of people switching to proportioned systems. Do you offer that option? I saw one company that was selling them for a ridiculous amount of $1,200...I believe it was called "the pro-portioner". Do you have anything a bit more competitively priced lol. 

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