110 or 12V burner...

Hi guys,

I'm shopping around to maybe add a hot water skid to my rig and I would like your input on something... I was quoted for 2 different models, 3500psi-4gpm-13HP with a 110 diesel burner and the other has the same specs except for the burner that is 12V. What are your taughts about those and the pros and cons of each?

Thanks,

I wrote this back in 2003. I still hold this opinion.

After being in the service department for 25+ years, I can personally vouch for the 120 volt system. They don't depend on as many variables to run properly. A 12 volt DEPENDS on the battery, battery cables and connections, the charging system on the engine,which, in itself is a source of many variables, the ambient temperature,a cold battery is weaker,like a baby depends on a mothers milk. With a 120 volt, you've got a durable generator and a belt. As long as the engine runs at the specified speed and the belt is tight, the rest is exactly the same ( motor, transformer, fuel pump, etc.). Let the voltage drop off for any reason, and a 12 volt could fry a transformer or solenoid coil. The electrical components on a 120 volt are also less expensive to replace when the time comes. I have seen 10 year old 120 volts running just fine. As a side note, you guys with 12 volt systems, as a part of your maintenence program, when you do your tune ups ( once a year), check the brushes in your motor if they are accessible. If the carbon brush wears out and the copper wire hits the rotor it could burn out the motor. Brushes are cheaper than motors. Much cheaper.

Hey Russ,

In other words you would go for the 120... What size of generator would be required to make it run without problem? Because that's where I have to make up my mind! I would like something that no matter where I'm at could run on his own without the need of finding power outlet like the electric one I'm using right now for my KEC contracts!

I've had both with no problems from either....but I don't work on them day in and day out like Russ does, so I would take his advice any day.

2,000 watts is plenty to fun the burner plus a little left for a light or two. A 120 volt burner will pull about 1,700 watts getting started, but only draws around 600 once it's going.

Russ Johnson said:

2,000 watts is plenty to fun the burner plus a little left for a light or two. A 120 volt burner will pull about 1,700 watts getting started, but only draws around 600 once it's going.

Click to expand...

unless it wired like mine Russ, 24/7, .....never did ask the manufacturer about that

I will agree with Russ however the 12 volt systems have came along way and if you keep a good charged battery it does help a lot.

Russ really knows his stuff, thanks for the info Russ.

I prefer the 12 volt systems as that is what I started with on the Hotsy.

A lot of the decision is personal preference.

Thanks guys for all the input! The project of adding a new skid to my rig has been delayed for a bit... I'm going to concentrate on the KEC side for now and as my business grows I'll look into adding a skid since as of right now the funds needed to invest in something that make sense is not there!

It's always nice to have guys with the knowledge that we can rely on!

Have a good night,

Hey Stephane- Russ is right on. I owned both type of burners and the one 12V burner I had which was on an excellent Hydrotek Powerwasher if the battery or something wasn't perfect the burner became a problem. Working in a colder region like I do and this Powerwasher was used alot for store fronts walkways etc. I would get problems with the burner not firing correctly for various reasons. I always carried an extra battery fully charged because of what Russ said..

You living in Quebec your especially better off going with a 120v burner When the time comes to purchase one...
Good luck..

To the benefit of many that will read this thread in the future..
Only Beckett themselves have more experience than I do on 12 volt systems,
..and because I make them seriously reliable.. I push'em every day, BUT..
I also tell my customers the same thing Russ said..
If all is not "perfect".. 120 volt burners are less expensive to keep alive.

The down-side of 120 volt heaters..
you have to feed that generator with about 3 of your engine horsepower..
that's 3 HP away from better WorkSpeed,
and if you add fuel cost to the equasion, some eyebrows would raise.

I say choose reliability for reduced downtime.
Pinching pennies is NOT "Long-Term-Low-Cost",
but if you do choose 12 volts, so you can run ALL your motor HP to "cleaning performance",
come to my "BulletProofing class to get the BEST possible results.
We get 3 to 4 years out of 12 volt HV ignitors very nicely, and we RARELY loose a solenoid or relay.

I have no preference in 12 or 120 systems however. 2 things I have done with both systems when issues arrise is to use jumper cables and a running truck to keep a 12v system firing on a job late at night.
2nd was on a 120 v system using a etension cord wired to a outlet to keep a 120v system working. was just one of the many Mcguyver momemnts in hood cleaning that happen at 2-3AM in the dark.