Pressure washer pumps

Pump Lubrication 

Pressure washer pumps are all classified as wet crankcase plunger types. The wet crankcases are not unlike the  arrangement for lubrications of the crankshaft of an automobile. The crankshaft is submerged in oil. As you might guess, wet crankcase pumps require much less constant lubrication. 

Most manufacturers recommend an oil change after the first 50 hours and also after 500 hours of operation then after. Water Cannon’s recommended oil to use is a 30W non-detergent oil. Our service technicians would recommend that the operator check the pump’s oil (crankcase) after each and every use to increase the life of the pump. Doing so will avoid any downtime for the contract cleaner or unnecessary warranty claim.

Read More

There are several ways to make a distinction between pumps

There are several ways to make a distinction between pumps: 

1.)   Whether they are driven by a crankshaft or wobble plate
2.)   How many cylinders
3.)   Whether they are piston (cup) or plunger pumps
4.)   The method of crankcase lubrication
5.)   Whether they have a hollow or solid crankshaft. 

A crankshaft pump which has three cylinders (triplex plunger pump) uses a crankshaft similar to that of an automobile's crankshaft. The plunger is driven by the wobble plate pump that replaces the crankshaft with a cam (plate).

Read More

Industrial Pumps

The pumps in the General Pump TSP Series are designed to deliver high pressures of up to 7,250 pounds per square inch depending on the model. Pumps in the TSF Series are designed to produce higher flow rates, with the most powerful model providing approximately 12 gallons per minute. In addition to being among the top performing pumps on the market, these units are also among the most durable and feature multi-year warranties as a testament to their longevity. Recognized for their reliability, all General Pumps from Water Cannon also feature lifetime guarantees on the manifolds. 

The manifolds of the TSP and TSF series pumps are brass forged and precision machined to stand the tests of time and extreme use. As further evidence of their survivability, even accidental freezing cannot warp these pumps. The pumps have an innovative seal design to extend seal life. The plungers on the pumps improve thermal shock resistance and the valve caps’ design improves hydrostatic performance. General Pumps' large capacity oil crank cases dissipate excess heat which extends the lives of these pumps significantly as well.

Models:
TSP1619      3.6 GPM @ 7250 PSI   1450 RPM  
TSP1619      4.3 GPM @ 5800 PSI   1750 RPM  

TSP1621      4.3 GPM @ 6525 PSI   1450 RPM  

TSP1819      5.0 GPM @ 5100 PSI   1450 RPM  

TSP1821      5.5 GPM @ 5100 PSI   1450 RPM

Read More

PUMP HP, GPM AND PSI

The amount of power required to drive a pump intensifies as the desired pressure and flow increases.  Also it generally requires a gasoline engine rated at approximately twice the horsepower of an electric motor to get the same performance out of the same pump under continuous operation.

To figure out what horsepower is needed to operate a pump at a certain, desired flow and pressure, you just have to multiply the GPM (gallon per minute) and PSI (pounds per square inch) and figures you want together and divide the result by 1450 to come up with the required electric motor horsepower for pumps. To roughly determine the required gasoline engine horsepower, just multiply the figure by two.

Read More

Diaphragm Pump:

EVERFLO Diaphragm Pump-EF4000-4.0 GPM-60 PSI-13 AMPS-1/2" FPT:

The EF4000 Everflo 12 Volt Diaphragm Pump is ideal for fluid transfer applications, agricultural sprayers, spot sprayers, and is even rated for Round-Up.

This lightweight and versatile Everflo diaphragm pump comes equipped with a polypropylene pump housing and valve plate, viton valves and a santoprene diaphragm. This Pump also features a flow demand switch that automatically turns the pump on and off as flow is required. This feature eliminates the need for a pressure regulator or by-pass valve also making this a very efficient electrical draw pump, as power is only used when the pump flow is in demand.

Please remember that Demand Pumps require a balanced flow. Too small of a nozzle (whether on your Spray Gun or on your Spray Boom) may restrict the flow resulting in your Demand Pump repeatedly shutting off and on.

We recommend using the AA122-1/2-PP Poly Line Strainer to help eliminate contaminates from running through your Everflo Pump. Please see the Related Products tab to view the Everflo pump in different flow

Read More

HOW A PRESSURE WASHER PUMP WORKS

HOW A PRESSURE WASHER PUMP WORKS

Moving a column of water to create a flow is what a pump actually does. When water passes through a nozzle, pressure results from a restriction on that column of water. What we really mean when we speak of a pump’s ability to develop a certain pressure at a certain flow is that the pump is capable of moving that quantity of water per minute through a restriction or nozzle which will create the specified pressure. 

Most pressure washer pumps used in the pressure washing industry rely on a system of cylinders and valves in order to develop a flow of water. The activity of motion of a piston or plunger in the cylinder pulls water through the inlet valve and the upstroke discharges the water through the outlet valve. These valves essentially send the water through the pump by preventing backflow. 

The simplest valve design consists of a poppet and a spring which is hydraulically operated by differences in pressure on either side of the valve.  The valve opens when the pressure against the valve starts to exceed the ability of the spring to hold closed the poppet.  The valve is held closed and prevents flow of the water in the wrong direction on the opposite stroke; This is when the water presses the poppet against its seat.

There are three ways the flow of water through the pump can be controlled: By lengthening or shortening the stroke of the piston or plunger, by increasing or decreasing the speed at which the pump operates or by increasing or decreasing the bore of the cylinder.

Read More

Before the temps dip too far, make sure your pressure washing ..

 Before the temps dip too far, make sure your pressure washingPressure washing equipmentt is prepared for freezing temperatures.

In extremely cold temperatures and high winds, your Water Cannon Pressure Washing equipment can take a beating. When wintery weather dips below 32 degrees F, water filters can freeze and break, hot water coils can freeze and burst, and ceramic plungers in the water pumps can spider crack if water isn’t blown out. To prevent these problems and more, you just need to take some extra precautions. Take a look at this insider’s guide to preparing for the freezing cold.

How to winterize your Gas Powered Water Cannon Pressure Washer

You will need a short section of garden hose, a funnel, hose clamp, and a 5 gallon bucket with any type of antifreeze coolant.  Attach the hose to the funnel and the other end of the hose to the inlet of the pump.   You will need a friend to hold the funnel and the trigger gun while you start the machine and begin pouring the anti-freeze into the funnel.   Your friend should be triggering the gun off and on a couple times to insure that the antifreeze protects the unloader as well as the trigger gun, hose and coil if it is a hot water unit.  As soon as you see the antifreeze coming out of the trigger you can capture what is left of the antifreeze in the bucket.  You can then run the unit for only a few seconds without the antifreeze to clear the pump.  At this point you can drain the remaining antifreeze from the hose and trigger into the bucket for use at another time.  This will not only protect your equipment from freezing but will also keep seals lubricated throughout.

Another option is to simply drain the water from the hose and gun, and if your unit has a direct drive pump, remove the pump from the motor and store them both in a warm location such as a basement.

As for the engine, you can either drain the fuel tank and run the engine until it has run the gas out or leave the fuel in the tank and add a fuel stabilizer such as Stabil.   I recommend changing the oil before putting it away for the season so that it is ready to go for next year.

The burner system does not need a whole lot of attention except to run a diesel fuel stabilizer through the system.

The main goal is to completely remove the water from all of the accessories, hoses and the pump assembly. With the system turned off, release any trapped pressure by squeezing the trigger gun. Disconnect the trigger gun and wand assembly.   Drain the water from the Trigger gun by holding the trigger gun in a vertical direction while squeezing the trigger to let the water run out. Next disconnect your high pressure hose assembly and coil up into to 3 or 4 foot loops allowing one end of the hose on the ground so the water can drain out during the coiling process.

 If you have quick connects it is a good idea to snap the quick connects together to avoid insects from making your pressure washing hose it's winter home. If you have a chemical, foam or soap injector follow the same technique to clear them of all water. 

Now let's work on the high pressure pump and inline filters, with the engine switch in the off position pull the engine recoil until water stops shooting out of the pump outlet, normally six pulls will do the job. Depending on the water filter inlet you may want to disassemble the filter if it has a water trap.

Read More