Air system or fat boy?

R

Robert ONeill

New member
Ok, I'm going to be buying another roof system. Is there any reason I wood buy a fat boy battery system instead of an air system? I understand there is a little more money in an air system, but can anyone tell me why they would run a battery powered system instead of an air system? Thanks.
 
I'm curious of what the dedicated guys have to say about it, here's what I've got from what I've read on here:

air- little more costly to setup, takes up more room, makes more noise, longer lasting parts.

12v system- may be a little less setup, takes less room, makes less noise (less heat too), may have to sacrifice on how long things last.

I'm running an AC power pump since I have my generators for detailing, as my compressor is just under 5scfm doesn't give me the option for air pumps.
 
I've been using 1/2 air pump system for roof cleaning for 7 plus years. Had 12v shurflo fir years also. Always problems with 12v. Aur pumps last for years. Get a good compressor. Happy ever after. Ask kevin Enderle air guru and sells pumps cheap.
 
I like air,..very simple system. The motor in an air pump is air driven,..no electrics or fuses or switches. Never gonna burn up. Air compressors are expensive,..but they are basically trouble free and will last for a very long time with basic maintenance,...they are also multi-taskers.

*I will concede though,..it does take a proper setup to be non-stalling. Which can be delicate in my experience. Mine is now stall free since about mid-Summer last year. But being finicky isn't the fault of the pump,..it just needs plumbed properly and dry air.

Jeff
 
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I don't judge an equipment purchase on expense, I judge it on need, efficiency & practicality. If we were washing 10-15 roofs a week I would go to an air or Udor system....we don't so our 12v units work just fine. Early 12v units did have a few problems but now it's just "Plug & Play". That being said I do see a Udor Water Dragon from Paul in our future.......the "need" is almost there.
 
Exactly what Guy said....all depends on how many roofs you are doing and the needs for your business. I always tell people go electric first, then when you reradiate to step up to air, you have electric for transferring.
 
I think the biggest advantage to a 12v set up is the amount of space you save. If you have a PW rig and a 12v rig, It will comfortably fit in an 8' bed, I need to have room for my leaf blower, surface cleaner, chemicals, etc. There's not enough room left for an air compressor.
 
Just ordered a Fatboy today to get me started. I wanted to go air but just can't swing the cost yet. But when I ready I'm going with a monster truck mount compressor. $400 got me going.
 
flanbo said:
Just ordered a Fatboy today to get me started. I wanted to go air but just can't swing the cost yet. But when I ready I'm going with a monster truck mount compressor. $400 got me going.
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We all must crawl before we can walk, so no worries.
Northern Tool makes a very stout 12 volt pump that is an alternative to a Fat Boy Pump, it is just a little bit more expensive.
It is called their NSQ Series, and has the Honeywell switch on it, that is said not to burn up as fast.
 
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