HOW TO PLUMB A WATER FILTER ON A BELT DRIVE OR MOST DIRECT DRIVE PRESSURE WASHERS

http://www.pressurewasherproducts.com/pressure-washer-plumbing.html

Please use the link provided to print your own copy. A copy of this information WILL NOT BE SENT.

This is for reference only and is intended to be used as a guideline.

These plumbing kits are available in GPM and tank preference. 

3-5.5 gpm kits for IBC Totes: PL-4-TO 

3-5.5 gpm kits for Horizontal Leg Tanks:  PL-4-TA

3/4" FPT ported pumps such as the 7 gpm, 8 gpm and up pumps like the TSF2021 kits for IBC Totes:  PL-8-TO and the Horizontal Leg Tanks:  PL-8-TA

Should you have any questions, please email us at WebSales@PressureWasherProducts.com or call (800) 519-9279 

Have you ever wondered how to correctly plumb your power washer? Pressure Washer Products loves to share knowledge.

Mount the pressure washer as low to the surface as possible in relation to the supply port/bulkhead of the water tank but remember to use shock absorbing rubber pucks (part# 4542) on your skid L-brackets (1213) of the pressure washer. Most pressure washers can be converted from a cart with wheels to skid units by removing the wheels and installing four L-brackets on your unit available through us.

Minimize the use of extra fittings. Do not use galvanized fittings, nylon or fiberglass reinforced polypropylene fittings. Do not use metal ball valves between your pump and water tank because they will likely corrode and flake little chunks into your pump valves leading to vibration and/or damage or the stem of the valve may allow air into the manifold of the pump.  Avoid extra elbows because fo the potential for air.  Do not use PVC pipe anywhere. PVC pipe can become brittle and doesn't tolerate the weight of a surface cleaner, ladder or your body weight for long.  If not installed correctly, air will find it's way into your pump leading to manifold damage (cavitation).

Install components using non-drying liquid Teflon such as Rectorseal T Plus 2 and NEVER use Teflon tape.

Never adjust your unloader. The unloader should be set using a whip or jump hose, a high pressure ball valve, a 3/8" high pressure steel tee, a snubber and a gauge.  The unloader should be set to 200 psi above the operating pressure of the pump and left alone.  The pressure can only be adjusted by using nozzles that have a larger orifice.  Use a nozzle chart to select nozzles. http://www.barens.com/cgi-bin/calc

Do not install check valves or any type of swivel fitting on the suction or supply hose assembly because air may become entrained causing expensive damage from cavitation.

***Supply/suction hose inner diameter (ID) should be DOUBLED compared to the pump inlet/suction port. For example, the General Pump TS2021 (HP5535) has a 1/2" inlet on either side of the bottom manifold of the pump.  Install a 1" hose barb x 1/2" MPT brass barb (HB1608B) into one side of the pump and KEEP IT SIMPLE and keep it CHEAP.  The pump should be supplied with 1" non-collapsible suction hose. 

Working with non-collapsible hose can be challenging.  We have several heat guns and ratcheting pvc hose cutters to tame the hose.  When installing the hose into hose barbs, first slide the hose clamp a few feet away from the cut end. Grab some Slo Mo Softwash Surfactant for Sodium Hypochlorite, dish soap or shampoo and coat your finger or old toothbrush with a generous amount.  Apply the soap to the inside several inches and to the barb end of the hose barb. Turn on the heat gun and hold the heat source about 3-4" away from the hose end while rotating the hose as you try to apply the heat as evenly as possible. Heat ONLY until the hose turns shiny and releases a single plume of smoke. Turn off the heat gun and set it aside to cool. Install the barb into the hose end and push it down against the ground or vertical surface.  Allow the end to cool naturally, move the hose clamp up about 1/16" or 1/8" from the end toward the thread and tighten securely.  Install the hose clamp to allow you to access it easily in the future so that you do not have to struggle to use a tool on the clamp.

The unloader bypass hose that sends water back to the tank when you release the trigger on your gun should be installed using 3/8" or 1/2" kink resistant hose or yellow ag hose. The port should be installed so that the stream of water shooting into the tank does not point directly at the pressure washer suction or supply bulkhead.  You don't want to create air bubbles in your supply water.  The thermal relief valve should be mounted on the opposite side of the suction hose inlet.  The thermal relief valve will act as a back-up to the bypass hose running back to the tank.

Inlet Line Size should be adequate to avoid starving the pump. • Line size must be a minimum of one size larger than the pump inlet fitting. Avoid tees, 90 degree elbows or valves in the inlet line of the pump to reduce the risk of flow restriction and cavitation. • The line MUST be a FLEXIBLE hose, NOT a rigid pipe, and reinforced on SUCTION systems to avoid collapsing. • The simpler the inlet plumbing the less the potential for problems. Keep the length to a minimum, the number of elbows and joints to a minimum (ideally no elbows) and the inlet accessories to a minimum. • Use pipe sealant to assure air-tight, positive sealing pipe joints (http://www.catpumps.com/products/pdfs/993418B_REF_Inlet%20Condition%20Check%20List_LoR.pdf)

High Pressure Side of the Pump or Outlet:  Do not use Teflon tape on any fittings. Use medium, removable Threadlock (5003, 10 mL or 5004 50mL). Try not to use elbows or extra fittings.  When at all possible, minimize the use of quick connects.  Install the chemical injector at least 3' away from the unloader to prevent back-siphoning of chemical into the internal components of the unloader.  Always remove the chemical injector assembly when not in use.  Check out the photo of the corroded nipple installed on the unloader.  A customer installed a chemical injector at the unloader and over time the sodium hypochlorite back-siphoned chemical into the unloader and nipple.  The unloader failed and the nipple needed to be replaced in the middle of the job.  Install the injector at the hose reel only when you need it or purchase one of our bypass kits for your GPM.  If using a bypass kit, make sure you rinse the injector before turning the valve to high pressure.

Use a R2 or 2 wire jump hose on the high pressure outlet of your unloader to your reel.

Before purchasing a telescoping wand, try out some long range nozzles such as 0020, 0025, 0030, 0035, 0040, 0050 or a 0060 installed into female plugs.  We offer JROD kits suited for your GPM such as the 6540-3 for the 2-3 gpm units, the 6540-4 for the 4 gpm units, the 6540-5 for the 5 gpm units and the 6540-8 for the 8 gpm units.  To improve your vertical reach with these nozzles, use them with a 6', 7', 8', 10' or 12' aluminum wand and a side handle (1536) for added control.

When using 8 gpm or more, use a 1/2" ID high pressure jump hose to your reel, use 50' of 1/2" ID high pressure hose coming off the reel and replace the 1/4" ID high pressure hose on your surface cleaner with 3/8" ID.

We can custom cut and crimp your high pressure hose to your desired length and ship them to you.

These plumbing kits are available in gpm and tank preference.  3-5.5 gpm kits for IBC Totes: PL-4-TO and 3-5.5 gpm kits for Horizontal Leg Tanks:  PL-4-TA

3/4" FPT ported pumps such as the 7 gpm, 8 gpm and up pumps like the TSF2021 kits for IBC Totes:  PL-8-TO and the Horizontal Leg Tanks:  PL-8-TA