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Water Pressure Issue

T

TEEBOX

Member
All,

i have installed the new foam curtains now for about 4 months. They are terrific when they are working correctly. My first arch has a low ph detergent. Uses 3 pumping stations with flojet and hydrominders. I'm using yellow tips and the chemical PSI is set to 80 and air PSI to 60 to 70. Needlesss to say I have a city pressure issue. After 10 years in business I finally realized it after the install of these wave curtains. I really exaggerates the problem. I have 40PSI on normal days but when busy it can drop to 15PSI.

I'm trying to see what can I do for a fix. Some have suggested a booster pump at the main, another a repressurization system, and just a small booster for this foamer only.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
Are you using 3 pumps (flojet?) on each curtain? I have a curtain for my foam wax and I am only using one flojet to power the curtain and 2 side foamers. Mine is set at 60 psi for the liquid and 15 psi for the air.[video=youtube_share;1Xcz7jgBIL0]http://youtu.be/1Xcz7jgBIL0[/video]
 
Washmee said:
Are you using 3 pumps (flojet?) on each curtain? I have a curtain for my foam wax and I am only using one flojet to power the curtain and 2 side foamers. Mine is set at 60 psi for the liquid and 15 psi for the air.[video=youtube_share;1Xcz7jgBIL0]http://youtu.be/1Xcz7jgBIL0[/video]
Click to expand...

I'm using 3 flojets for my wave curtain. How is your water pressure from the city?
 
TEEBOX said:
I'm using 3 flojets for my wave curtain. How is your water pressure from the city?
Click to expand...

My point is that you really shouldn't need to use 3 flojets on your foaming curtain. As far as your water pressure issue goes , I would suggest you get a booster pump and tie it into to your conveyor interlock or put in a booster /pressure tank combo like you would use if you had a well.
 
Washmee said:
My point is that you really shouldn't need to use 3 flojets on your foaming curtain. As far as your water pressure issue goes , I would suggest you get a booster pump and tie it into to your conveyor interlock or put in a booster /pressure tank combo like you would use if you had a well.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Out of curiosity, which manufacturer is your foaming curtain?
 
The reason I bought the light bar with the multiple color leds was so I could use a foam wax that didn't have any dyes. Only one pump needed and easier to rinse.
 
Washmee said:
The reason I bought the light bar with the multiple color leds was so I could use a foam wax that didn't have any dyes. Only one pump needed and easier to rinse.
Click to expand...

This particular LED light is only bright white to enhance dyes. Also I have a pre rinse prior to mitter curtain that does a good job of getting most of the chemical off then a rain arch as a final rinse. It does the job!
 
Have you considered changing tip sizes or using different check valves?

Also if you are running the flojet at 80PSI you at their maximum flow rate and pushing a lot of chemical to the foamers. Your soap dilution maybe to high and you may need to use a bigger tip or use a stronger concentrate. The only

A flojet should be able to supply 2 soap sticks at between 35-40 psi with 21-25psi of air.

Also how big of a water main are you running?

Bobby
 
TEEBOX, that looks GREAT for your triple foam application. Are you using 3 flow jets/hydrominders (one for each color) for the triple foam curtain? What are you pump/air settings? I can't seem to get the full sheeting effect you are achieving for mine. Part of it comes out in a sheet and the other part comes out more in a dripping pattern.
 
More suggestions.

I put pre soak on the ar first, before any foaming product. I was at a wash that puts foam on a dry car.

So, depending on your set and conditions up this may or may not work.

If you initialy have pre soak, turn it off when you can.

Make sure the PSI to the Flo Jet and any air injection is as low as possible without sacrificing show.

As a rule of thumb I figure 10PSI to a Flo jet = 1 GPM. Cutting back 5 or more Flo Jets 10PSI or more would be a significant Change.

If average PSI is 50 and you can cut back to 40 that's a 20% volume reduction.

Timing - Make sure applications do not start sooner or stay on longer than needed for show and efficacy. If average ON Time is 25 Seconds and you can make it 20, that saves another 20%
 
hkim310 said:
TEEBOX, that looks GREAT for your triple foam application. Are you using 3 flow jets/hydrominders (one for each color) for the triple foam curtain? What are you pump/air settings? I can't seem to get the full sheeting effect you are achieving for mine. Part of it comes out in a sheet and the other part comes out more in a dripping pattern.
Click to expand...

I'm using a 3 Dosatrons for this unit. They are set at 128 and 40PSI of Air.
 
2 in main coming in. However, the city is dropping the water pressure during peak hours of the day. It's just that noticeable. I have switch chemical companies and have increase the tip size. I'm at 40PSI with 30PSI for Air. Better results now.
 
Are you using soft water?

We have suffered with a restricted softener for years. It was even replaced in the past and the fools still put one in that was way u dersized for our busy days. Water pressure drops from 85psi to 30 psi when the automatic is running. Its strictly from softener size. Our main still has plenty of pressure.
 
No I do not have a softner. It is an issue with the municipality. I have great water pressure from 8am till 9:30, then it drops from 50psi to 20psi until around 5pm. I'm investigating a booster pump.
 
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