Does warm water hurt the pump
- Thread starter LCI WASH
- Start date
Henry Bockman
Maryland Pressure Washing
That all depends on what you consider warm water.
Keep in mind that when water runs through the pump is also keeps the pump cool. That's why hot boxes are installed after the pump so the pump won't overheat. You should'nt have any problem using water thats 70 degrees or less.
Keep in mind that when water runs through the pump is also keeps the pump cool. That's why hot boxes are installed after the pump so the pump won't overheat. You should'nt have any problem using water thats 70 degrees or less.
I beleive you could easily run 100 F water and not have any problems. Here in Texas in the summer water is 80 F coming out of the tap.
The temperature outside today is 57 F at 7:00 PM and the running tap temp is 72.5 F
My pumps are all General, they rate them at a maximum fluid temperature of 165 F. Most temperature releif valves on pwer pumps are set to open at 140 F
Check the specs your pump mfg. puts out.
You could always stick an open gun into you tank and let it circulate to heat up the tank water before you start the job. That would be with the burner running. Make sure the gun is secure!
You could also gain 10-15 F by just having a circulation pump for the tank. The pump would draw from the tank and run through a length of piping and return back to the tank. Friction is crated raising the temperature.
The temperature outside today is 57 F at 7:00 PM and the running tap temp is 72.5 F
My pumps are all General, they rate them at a maximum fluid temperature of 165 F. Most temperature releif valves on pwer pumps are set to open at 140 F
Check the specs your pump mfg. puts out.
You could always stick an open gun into you tank and let it circulate to heat up the tank water before you start the job. That would be with the burner running. Make sure the gun is secure!
You could also gain 10-15 F by just having a circulation pump for the tank. The pump would draw from the tank and run through a length of piping and return back to the tank. Friction is crated raising the temperature.
Mike@Sunbritesupply
Member
This is interesting
I find this thread an interesting topic. Recently someone told me they hook up to the customers hot water tank when doing kitchen hoods. That saves them fuel on the hot water unit. After reading the first few posts here, I called a few Manufactures and asked their opinions. I was told that running hot water through the pump can lead to melted packing kits and destroyed seals. I asked about the maximum rating for these seals and was told in most cases it is 180 F. Even with high temp packing kits, I was told to avoid this. They are really only rated at 190 F. Besides that, as I believe was stated earlier, water is used to cool your pumps, so any hot water running through the pump is NOT helping to keep it cool. Also, think about where the water is heated on a hot water unit. After the pump. 40-some-degree water in your tank, I would not think to be a problem, though running straight off a hot water heater could be devastating. That's the word from the manufactures and it seems to make sense. Of course, they don't mind selling more pumps, so do what you feel is right!
I find this thread an interesting topic. Recently someone told me they hook up to the customers hot water tank when doing kitchen hoods. That saves them fuel on the hot water unit. After reading the first few posts here, I called a few Manufactures and asked their opinions. I was told that running hot water through the pump can lead to melted packing kits and destroyed seals. I asked about the maximum rating for these seals and was told in most cases it is 180 F. Even with high temp packing kits, I was told to avoid this. They are really only rated at 190 F. Besides that, as I believe was stated earlier, water is used to cool your pumps, so any hot water running through the pump is NOT helping to keep it cool. Also, think about where the water is heated on a hot water unit. After the pump. 40-some-degree water in your tank, I would not think to be a problem, though running straight off a hot water heater could be devastating. That's the word from the manufactures and it seems to make sense. Of course, they don't mind selling more pumps, so do what you feel is right!
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
I have a tank wash customer that uses steam to heat the water, then runs through the pumps (6 of them). They are all General TS1011 with a hot packing and valve kit. These machines are all auto start / stop, so there is no bypass to heat the water further. They are running 170 degree water through these pumps for 2 shifts a day, and rebuild every 2 years. Most water heaters will, at best, make 140 degree water, so for a properly equipped pump, it shouldn't be a problem.
LCI, is that 42 fahrenheit or celcius? I thought Canadians use Celsius scale. That would make the water 116 degrees fahrenheit
LCI, is that 42 fahrenheit or celcius? I thought Canadians use Celsius scale. That would make the water 116 degrees fahrenheit
grizzley
Member
Sorry to dig up and old post..... but was wondering where to get a hot packing and valve kit?
I have a Craftsman cold water (portable) P/W that I ran some hot water into and seems to have blown the oil out of it; and probably some other damage. The water was around 120*-160*. I don't know for sure though; it was in a School and I hooked up to their sink for a short time. When I loaded the PW into the trailor, there was oil on the bottom side of the PW.
Anyway, I think I need to do something for the PW so it is not damaged again. Any tips?
I have a Craftsman cold water (portable) P/W that I ran some hot water into and seems to have blown the oil out of it; and probably some other damage. The water was around 120*-160*. I don't know for sure though; it was in a School and I hooked up to their sink for a short time. When I loaded the PW into the trailor, there was oil on the bottom side of the PW.
Anyway, I think I need to do something for the PW so it is not damaged again. Any tips?
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
There isn't a hot kit for the smaller homeowner style pumps. General has one available for their 20 mm pumps (T1011, 2011, 2021) and AR has it for a few of their pumps. I think Cat has some available, too.