Modifying Variable nozzle to replace JROD

JBurd

JBurd

New member
I'm going to bring up an old topic that has been discussed a little but I can't find any definitive answers too. It kind of came up here.

It seems like a push/pull variable nozzle would be a great substitute for the jrod in house washing, except that the nozzle size only goes up to 8.0 (which might be fine if your running 3.0 gpm but I'm 5.5).

Benefits: The nozzles are cheaper than a jrod setup. No tip changes, just push, pull, and/or twist, so its a little quicker and easier to wash and your coupler lasts longer. You can customize your fan width.

Negatives: Variable nozzle wears out quicker. Less quality control over exactly what fan width unsupervised techs are cleaning with. And of course the smaller nozzle size means way to much pressure in rinse mode to be considered soft-washing.

So, the questions are...is anybody using a modified variable for softwashing/downstreaming house washes? How best could a variable be modified for this use? I run 5.5gpm, so in rinse mode I'd like the orifice around 15 to produce about 550 psi, and about 40 for soap mode I think.
 
I used to use one all the time with my 8 gpm machine. I just drilled out the orifice a little larger. Only down side I had with the variable nozzle was do not turn on any heat. It kills the o rings in the nozzle and I couldn't seem to get any proper replacement o rings. Other than that they are great. Use about a two foot or shorter wand to make it easy to reach the nozzle. It will really speed up your washing.

Pat Norman 663-316-7685
 
offdutyfireman said:
No. Chemical doesn't break down hoses or guns. Downstreaming puts less stress on equipment because you are running low pressure.
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The low pressure thing makes sense, but SH causes stuff to rust. Including the wire in the pressure hose. So what Steven is saying makes sense too.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
I use an adjustable Fan nozzle for down streaming now and it's heat friendly. I'm working on a YouTube video this weekend of it in use. The M-5 has it's place in the PW tool box, just not advisable for house washing.......I know because it's what we started out with. Down streaming is faster, safer and better on equipment hands down...IMO.
 
Negatives: Variable nozzle wears out quicker. Less quality control over exactly what fan width unsupervised techs are cleaning with. And of course the smaller nozzle size means way to much pressure in rinse mode to be considered soft-washing.

So, the questions are...is anybody using a modified variable for softwashing/downstreaming house washes? How best could a variable be modified for this use? I run 5.5gpm, so in rinse mode I'd like the orifice around 15 to produce about 550 psi, and about 40 for soap mode I think.
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I variable hi/low nozzles drilled out for 8 gpm low-pressure downstreaming. When I started using them I remove the orifice and barley drill out the threads, the high low would start and stop the soap. I ruined several nozzles before getting it right because some nozzles just get messed up from being drilled too big. You probably wouldn't have that problem with your 5.5 machine. I found these nozzles that can be drill to 0040 without malfunctioning. The soap doesn't shut of but the pressure goes up a little in the different modes. You can use the biggest bit you have that fits into the 0015 spray nozzle, I think that will be your highest pressure but maybe somebody could verify that. A helper broke a couple last year but these new ones seem pretty bomb proof.
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Rance said:
Please explain how an X-jet saves wear and tear on equipment Steven.
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You are not running chemicals through your guns, hoses, fittings and such. I see rigs daily where bleach, acid and caustic have ruined swivels, connections and hoses not counting the expensive skid units themselves. All of them had a downstream injector connected. Thus this will save your equipment. It also keeps open containers of chemicals away from your machine. We had a trailer this week in for repair because the guy used acid through a downstream injector and acid rusted the fuel pump on his burner among other things. If you had of seen the damage you would understand.
 
offdutyfireman said:
No. Chemical doesn't break down hoses or guns. Downstreaming puts less stress on equipment because you are running low pressure.
Click to expand...

You might want to know that an X-Jet with a #13 orifice has around 1300 psi with a 3500 psi machine.
 
offdutyfireman said:
Steven. The post is about downstreaming with a variable nozzle. Not about an XJet. It is a fine tool, but does not save wear and tear on guns, hoses and fittings.
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That is not the thoughts of Mike Baker ( X-Jet inventor) as of this past week when I spoke with him. Oh well...
 
Steven, is Dollarspa typing for you? Why would anyone have open containers in their trailer if they are downstreaming? I cannot follow you. Point is, you posts have nothing to do with the post at hand. Start an XJet thread if you like. I am not knocking the XJet either. It is a great tool and has its place. And I am glad you are still in touch with Mike.
 
No one is typing for me, I speak for myself. Unless you have containers with fittings for your chemical hose the container is open. Point is, an X-Jet works. I just don't see spending time figuring something out when there is a proven method out there, just ignore my information. Carry on...
 
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