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You know John better then I do Greg, I have never talked to him.
I really don't come here as much as I once did, and spend most of my time with serious roof cleaners, at the Roof Cleaning Institute.
I just assumed he had a helper.

I train roof cleaners all day long, but I NEVER suggest a 12 volt roof cleaning pump, for a beginning roof cleaner, unless it is all they can afford, or have room for.

I train my beginners in roof cleaning to get an air operated pump and an air compressor. \

On an air pump,. a beginner working alone can simply put a 1/2 to 1 gpm nozzle on the end of his ball valve, and have almost no run off.

But, once he gets a helper, and/or more experience, he can then put a larger nozzle on his set up, and be fast enough to not get a sunburn, every time he cleans a roof.

A small restrictive hose like 3/8, is seen by the 12 volt pump the exact same way that it "sees" a small nozzle.

If he stays with the 3/8 hose, he will never be fast, and will always be restricted by the small diameter hose.

BUT, if he goes to the 5/8 hose, and it is too much flow for him, he can then reduce nozzle size, until he gets a helper/more experience.

Restriction is restriction, in the eyes of a pump, but 3/8 hose is permanent restriction, see what I am saying ?
 
Hey guys, Thank you both. Truth is I thought the 3/8 hose was the proper one to use. That is what my local supplier said. I can afford a better pump set up and I do not always have a ground person. I only have 1 part timer working for me and its Thursday, Sat and sun. I can do fine with the small homes but Im being referred for a HOA with tile roofs. I will not walk on a tile roof, This is where my concern is coming in. I need to find another part timer that can work days during the week. I am going to buy a larger pump. so I guess a new hose will be mandatory. I will keep this one as my back up. I just thought my set up was a normal one. I guess if I don't have a ground man I can use the smaller pump.
 
I thought an accumulator was supposed to solve the problem of flow control for 12 volt pumps.

Yes, it will allow you to use lower flow nozzles just as on an air diaphragm pump. It is important to note that any type of roof pump system you get you will experience "headaches". 12 volts have to be replaced depending on frequency of use, air pumps you have the addition of space needed for the compressor and the possibility of the compressor going down, or even the pump itself having a problem. Gas powered pump will need rebuilt/replaced depending on frequency of use as well. The important things is to choose the one that best fits your budget and where your business is at.

Chris, the roof cleaners here are just as serious about roof cleaning as RCIA. The type pump used is not neccessarily indicative of ones seriousness. IMO
 
Hey guys, Thank you both. Truth is I thought the 3/8 hose was the proper one to use. That is what my local supplier said. I can afford a better pump set up and I do not always have a ground person. I only have 1 part timer working for me and its Thursday, Sat and sun. I can do fine with the small homes but Im being referred for a HOA with tile roofs. I will not walk on a tile roof, This is where my concern is coming in. I need to find another part timer that can work days during the week. I am going to buy a larger pump. so I guess a new hose will be mandatory. I will keep this one as my back up. I just thought my set up was a normal one. I guess if I don't have a ground man I can use the smaller pump.
I am not always here John, but this is where you can find me http://roofcleaninginstitute.org/ if you need my help.
 
Chris, running 2 pumps together only doubles flow, it does not increase pressure.
Back when I ran dual 12 volt roof cleaning pumps, I noticed no noticeable increase in shooting distance, but flow did increase.
However, it was a real bitch to get both 12 volt pumps to "work together".


Dam You Chris, you are "making" me give away far too many of my secrets, LOL

Here is a link to power supplies http://stores.ebay.com/MegaWatt-mw-electronics?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

They have one that is 36 amps shipped for under 75 dollars!
Weatherproof the power supply, and you be good to go, free of batteries forever, for your 12 volt roof cleaning pumps!

This little bastard will do 36 amps at a 90 percent duty cycle, and 30 amps all day, forever!
However, this link will disappear in 25 days http://www.ebay.com/itm/400-Watt-9-...248?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1726e470

Thanks for the info Chris, I looked at those power supplies but they mention only 400 watts but still rated at 30 and 36 amps so that does not make sense to me as watts are multiplied by the voltage to get amps so that label is confusing me. I guess I could just call them to ask them if it will power a pump that pulls 20, 25 or 30 amps when running.

My question about connecting 2 pumps together was not meant for roof cleaning, just shooting up high like sides of buildings to get a higher reach, I would think that the added volume at the same pressure would shoot higher, kind of like comparing my 5.6gpm at 3000psi to my 8gpm at 3000psi machines using the same 0050 nozzle, the 8gpm will shoot a lot higher than the 5.6gpm machine, both at the same pressure. I would never recommend someone to use 10gpm on a roof, way too much volume but maybe it would shoot high like on building sides.

Thanks again for the info.
 
Thanks for the info Chris, I looked at those power supplies but they mention only 400 watts but still rated at 30 and 36 amps so that does not make sense to me as watts are multiplied by the voltage to get amps so that label is confusing me. I guess I could just call them to ask them if it will power a pump that pulls 20, 25 or 30 amps when running.

My question about connecting 2 pumps together was not meant for roof cleaning, just shooting up high like sides of buildings to get a higher reach, I would think that the added volume at the same pressure would shoot higher, kind of like comparing my 5.6gpm at 3000psi to my 8gpm at 3000psi machines using the same 0050 nozzle, the 8gpm will shoot a lot higher than the 5.6gpm machine, both at the same pressure. I would never recommend someone to use 10gpm on a roof, way too much volume but maybe it would shoot high like on building sides.

Thanks again for the info.
Chris, voltage (12 volts) times 25 amps equals 300 watts, and these power supplies will do 400 watts!
Here is an OHM'S Law Calculator http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/ohms_law_calculator.php

The Delavan Fat Boy only draws 25 amps, when run at 100 PSI
At 60 PSI, It only draws 17 amps of Current, a piece of cake for one of these power supplies.
Remember, these little bastards are rated at 30 amps of a full time load.
 
Thanks for clearing that up for me, I was thinking of 120 volts x the amps = watts like a regular 120 volt electric motor, not thinking about 12 volts like I should have.

Thanks again.
 
Thanks for clearing that up for me, I was thinking of 120 volts x the amps = watts like a regular 120 volt electric motor, not thinking about 12 volts like I should have.

Thanks again.
No problem Chris, it can get confusing!

Hey, check out this little bastard.

It is a speed control, for electric DC Motors!

You simply hook it up to your Battery (or 12 volt power supply), and it will slow your motor down!
This how useful this will be Chris ?
By using one of these on say a Delavan Fat Boy or Flojet Pentaflex, you can stop your pump from cycling.

 
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