Hey there hoping someone might have some experience with an issue I am having in one of my bays. I noticed one bay on hp developed a chattering, making a dreadful noise at the boom. This pump was dripping a bit so I went ahead and did a rebuild, new seal kit w valves, and carriers since I messed one up getting it apart. Also replaced leaking regulator and pop off that blew when the new reg was set too high...lol Anyway now on rinse the pumps running nice and smooth. Flip to hp soap, presoak (hp), wax (hp), and the air hammer comes on and pressure drops.... any insights?
Chattering issue HP
- Thread starter KFPanda
- Start date
Are you using hot water for those functions? I would check my hot water inlet. It sounds like when you’re switching to hot water you’re having a water feed problem or possibly an air leak on that side.
No hot water, blocks with lines coming from the Chem tanks are installed in line to the supply for the cat pumps. FWIW the correct product is coming out presoak/soap/wax is selected so those solenoids are working and lines free flowing?
If there was a leak at the block wouldn't air still be coming in regardless of mode thus rinse would also be affected?
Also each product comes from a different manifold, and only 1 bay/pump is doing this.... doesn't seem right the same line out of 6 off 3 separate manifolds springs a leak and starts sucking air...
Also each product comes from a different manifold, and only 1 bay/pump is doing this.... doesn't seem right the same line out of 6 off 3 separate manifolds springs a leak and starts sucking air...
Update:
Today I tried pulling the presoak and wax solenoids in the room and selecting them in the bay. No delivery of product and same issue. If you switch to one of the problem choices and do nothing with the gun things hold steady (weep) but once you pull the trigger pressure drops and hammer commences.
Today I tried pulling the presoak and wax solenoids in the room and selecting them in the bay. No delivery of product and same issue. If you switch to one of the problem choices and do nothing with the gun things hold steady (weep) but once you pull the trigger pressure drops and hammer commences.
Sounds like a water feed problem to me. How is your water fed to the pump? Is it gravity fed, or pressure fed with solenoids? Does the rinse have a separate solenoid to let water into the pump? Is it all gravity fed? If you have a float tank, does it have a check valve between the tank and the pump? I’ve had bad pressure regulators do that before when you pull the trigger, but it should do it on the rinse also. And you said you also replaced the regulator.
Sounds like one to me too, but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around how if rinse is working fine. The pump is gravity fed from the float tank i don't think a check valve is in line. Goes float tank > shut off > block for Chem lines > split to 2 lines 1 going to main cat pump inlet the other to a solenoid bank that has small water lines that feed into the other side of the cat pump. There's a lever down here I turn on to run water thru the lines when it's freezing.
If your rinse water, and soap and wax water are being fed through the same line from the float tank, then the only thing that changes when switching from rinse, to soap and wax, is your solenoids opening. The problem has to be along those.
Disconnect the power going to all the solenoids on that pump, and try it. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a system set up like that.
Disconnect the power going to all the solenoids on that pump, and try it. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a system set up like that.
Not if it’s on the inlet side of your solenoids. The solenoids would be closed during rinse. It wouldn’t cause a problem until they opened.
I had that thought and tried just what you said in my update. Even when you disable the solenoid the pressure drop happens... I can't understand what else is happening in this system when you select wax/soap/presoak that would affect inflow to the pump, it's weird.
Next time I'm in there I was thinking of trying to swap the supply from the pump above for the hell of it, also I'll take some pictures.
MEP001
Well-known member
There is a check valve under the tank where the soap, wax, and presoak lines all connect together. That check valve could be stuck closed. There could also be a bad tubing line allowing air to enter the pump. Both of these issues will have the same effect that you describe since "rinse" is supplied at city pressure and forces flow to the pump inlet.
Great info had no idea rinse did that. Will check that out.
MEP001
Well-known member
It's a pain for sure. I've worked on some where they were so close together I would have had to disassemble three of them to get at the bad one, so I cut the nipple above the check valve and used a union.
It may not for sure be the check valve. If the pressure drops immediately going from rinse to soap, it's probably the check valve. If it takes a few seconds, it's air entering the system that has to get through the hose from the manifold under the tank to the pump. If you don't see leaks, it's probably going to be a fitting for the tubing lines.
It may not for sure be the check valve. If the pressure drops immediately going from rinse to soap, it's probably the check valve. If it takes a few seconds, it's air entering the system that has to get through the hose from the manifold under the tank to the pump. If you don't see leaks, it's probably going to be a fitting for the tubing lines.
I had a feeling there was a check valve or another solenoid in the system! It’s hard to troubleshoot when you can’t see the setup or not familiar with it. I’m sure you’ve seen several of those!
Yeah of course it has to be #4, not #1 or #6 haha. It's immediate, I was standing in the bay flicking it between wax and rinse cursing
why is this happening! Probably the check valve, I'll update when I change it.
MEP001
Well-known member
I can tell these things in an instant if I hear it in person.
Well I was able to get the job done, not without a half gallon of sweat (Houston us pretty hot rn) few dozen muscle cramps and a bunch of swearing. The check valve stem fell apart with a touch. Got frustrated with a tight fitting and cut the hose off, regretted that as I needed the length and couldn't get the hose fully back on the barb. I got it as good as I could and hose clamped it. Everything works! If that connection goes bad at least it sticks out as something to correct. Thanks MEP! You the man!
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