PeakOfPerfection
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Finally got it mounted. 1" Hastelloy AODD pump setup. 3/4" Spray Line.
New Air Pump Setup.
- Thread starter PeakOfPerfection
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Andy Hinson
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Big Pump! How large does compressor need to be?
PeakOfPerfection
New member
You don't need any larger compressor to run a 1" AODD pump than a 1/2" pump...you just won't get the full flow it is capable of, though at this size, that flow rate is pretty much a moot point (45 GPM). I run a 20 CFM Truck mount Quincy and it works great. I know other guys running 1" pumps off a 9 CFM compressor.
What the bigger pump will bring to the table is more flow and distance with the same compressor due to greater volumetric efficiency, combined with higher reliability as it is just loafing along. With a bigger compressor, you are talking 76-100' of reach. It is also a quieter setup as the bigger compressors run lower RPMs to maintain air and the bigger pumps chug along more slowly.
The only disadvantage is that bigger CFM brings more condensation, so you need to deal with line water with a good separator.
In terms of production on larger projects, there is no substitute. We've done 9 homes in a day in a retirement complex including full rinse downs on our 3/4" pump.
What the bigger pump will bring to the table is more flow and distance with the same compressor due to greater volumetric efficiency, combined with higher reliability as it is just loafing along. With a bigger compressor, you are talking 76-100' of reach. It is also a quieter setup as the bigger compressors run lower RPMs to maintain air and the bigger pumps chug along more slowly.
The only disadvantage is that bigger CFM brings more condensation, so you need to deal with line water with a good separator.
In terms of production on larger projects, there is no substitute. We've done 9 homes in a day in a retirement complex including full rinse downs on our 3/4" pump.
palm beach
New member
Do you use a toilet paper filter for the air line?
PeakOfPerfection
New member
No need, that is for oil removal and this does not require an inline oiler, nor do I have an air screw compressor. I run a Harbor Freight regulator which has a 40 micron filter and I have a 5 micron filter on the way.
PeakOfPerfection
New member
Just for some perspective...
On the left is a 3/8" All Flo. On the Right is the 1" Hastelloy Pump. Isn't the little baby pump cute!
On the left is a 3/8" All Flo. On the Right is the 1" Hastelloy Pump. Isn't the little baby pump cute!
palm beach
New member
I find our filter/ separator has been lacking lately in the 90% humidity down here in the tropics, I was told the tp filter is the only way to go on the air pumps. Damn pumps been stalling above 70psi. What psi do you set that monster compressor you have p.o.p.?
PeakOfPerfection
New member
Several reasons. First is reach. Having a large pump and compressor allows you to shoot buildings from the ground and be able to cover far more roof surface from a single location. This allows for far more efficiency. You can cover far more area without repositioning. With the super steep roofs we often get here, that can make all the difference between having to harness up and install anchors, or not. We are doing a 2 story 12/12 pitch wall of roof tomorrow that no way, no how could the small AllFlo or Fatboy reach. I know because we did it 4 years ago with a FB setup and now we are going back for a maintenance spray to hit some areas of moss just starting to re-grow now. With the big pump, we will be able to stand on the deck and hit those areas at the peak. That saves me from having my top man harness up, climb, pull the hose up, hook in and spray. We can then hit some lower areas with a bit of algae starting up and go back after the moss has cooked and hit it with a fresh water rinse. That is 20 minutes saved. Do that several times a day and it adds up.
Second is flexibility. Just because you have a big pump, doesn't mean you are always automatically flowing a ton of fluid. It can be throttled down just as much as a small pump. But...when you need big flow, such as when you are doing a large multi unit complex, you have the option.
Next, we have moss...a lot of moss...a HELL of a lot of moss. So we rinse. Rinsing doesn't need throttling. The bigger the flow on a rinse, the faster and more productive you are.
And then there is...reliability. A pump like this is barely breaking a sweat and thus has less down and maintenance time as a general rule.
Last but not least....it is bad ass.
PeakOfPerfection
New member
What you need is a good water separator. A filter is there to filter, not remove water. A TP filter when wet....think about it. A TP filter filters particulates and oils well, but it doesn't do squat for moisture issues. Think about what happens when you pass water thru a filter. Take a few sheets of TP, fold them and blow thru them. Now get them wet and try the same thing. Doesn't work does it? My understanding on the TP filters is that you have to change the filter a lot of you end up with little TP balls in your air stream. Fine filters depend on the input airstream to be dry. Any fine filter is going to lose efficiency when wet...that is why a water separator is best put inline before the filter. On really big stationary air installs, you install a refrigerant dryer. On mobile installs, you use a water separator.
We also have a lot of water because we have a lot of wet days. This is why I have this arriving this week...
SMC AMG350C-N04BC. It can be found here...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#productDescription
As for PSI, it pumps like an incontinent Heifer at 40 PSI.
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JDhomeservices
New member
I just got a compressor and an All-Flo pump, but now I think I am over my head. Lol I'm not sure what the separators and filters look like, where to get them, or where and how to hook them up.
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Rapid HotClean
New member
Kevin, also living here in the Pacific Northwest, I really feel your moss pain! LOL
BTW, I really like your Bellingham Roof Moss Killing site. Very well done!
PeakOfPerfection
New member
Relax! Air is actually easy compared to electric.
In order of placement...assuming your compressor has a built in regulator...it goes:
Compressor...water separator...filter...pump.
If you do NOT have a regulator on the compressor, then it would go as such:
Compressor...water separator...filter/regulator combo...pump.
It is best to have 10' between the water separator and the compressor. Why? Because it gives the air stream a bit of time to cool and condense, making the water separator more effective.
The water separator I listed in the link above is designed for 1/2" air lines. I like running 1/2' lines even with a smaller pump because the bigger air line has lower friction loss and it isn't' really any more expensive. It also future proofs you in case you end up buying a bigger air pump in the future. If you don't think that will happen, you can buy the smaller 3/8" version on Amazon.
As for a filter....ditto on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/SMC-AF20-N02C...TF8&qid=1399944869&sr=1-3&keywords=smc+filter
What do they do? Air, when it is compressed, has the water squeezed out of it. Once it leaves the compressor, the water condenses out as it cools. If that water gets to your air pump, think what happens when you take a highly compressed gas and release it...it gets COLD! If there is water vapor in the line, it freezes, usually clogging the muffler. Long story short, you will be pumping merrily away on a humid day and your pump will stop because it is plugged up with ice. The water separator makes sure you can keep pumping merrily away and not have to climb down, unscrew the pump muffler to unfreeze it...all the time emitting language that would make a sailor blush.
The filter makes sure that the air you are putting into your pump is clean. Dirt, dust, rust flakes from the tank, and other gunk can clog up and eventually ruin the air section of the pump. The air section is the spendy bit to rebuild. You want it being fed only clean dry air if possible for the longest possible life.
PeakOfPerfection
New member
Thanks...my website is woefully out of date and needs to be brought into the modern age. Just no time to do it.
As for moss...yeah, you guys deal with it in Portland too! The guys down south who have nothing but GM infested roofs and don't deal with a lot of moss have no idea just how much more work it brings to the table, especially when roofs look like this...
Yeah, when we were done, the roof was totally clean and moss/debris free! Saved the homeowner from putting a new roof on as what was underneath was still actually serviceable.
All done with air blowers and low pressure cleaning. We now have an air reel on the truck for doing debris blowdowns...one big advantage of running a big truck mount compressor! No more
big backpack or hand held gas blowers to lug around on the roof!
By the way...I am looking into getting a hot water PW truck mount. What machines do you guys run?
Rapid HotClean
New member
Thanks...my website is woefully out of date and needs to be brought into the modern age. Just no time to do it.
As for moss...yeah, you guys deal with it in Portland too! The guys down south who have nothing but GM infested roofs and don't deal with a lot of moss have no idea just how much more work it brings to the table, especially when roofs look like this...
Yeah, when we were done, the roof was totally clean and moss/debris free! Saved the homeowner from putting a new roof on as what was underneath was still actually serviceable.
All done with air blowers and low pressure cleaning. We now have an air reel on the truck for doing debris blowdowns...one big advantage of running a big truck mount compressor! No more
big backpack or hand held gas blowers to lug around on the roof!
By the way...I am looking into getting a hot water PW truck mount. What machines do you guys run?
How big is the compressor that you're using? Tank size?
I think that nearly all the guys here on PWI would agree that the Water Dragon hot water skid is among the best. Best heat rise, well made, good price.
PeakOfPerfection
New member
It was a she and she just never did it because she was uncomfortable with heights and a bit overwhelmed.. A roofing company was trying to convince her to replace the roof at a cost of about $12,000. She called us because she hoped it could be salvaged...and it was. It is amazing that the roof didn't leak with that much debris and load on there. The snow load must have been epic during the winter. We also pulled Wisteria vines out of the attic after they had grown up the side and into the house, fixed gutters that had collapsed, and replaced some facia boards that were rotted. Made a big difference to the house.
PeakOfPerfection
New member
I am running a 20 CFM truck mount Quincy compressor I picked up off of Craigslist for $1k. 30 Gal tank. I am looking into the Water Dragon.
JDhomeservices
New member
Thanks a lot for the help, man! I really appreciate it.
Dude! I can't believe that picture of that roof! That thing is growing weeds!
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