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Pressure in bays???

C

cap732000

Member
I have a question I'm running my psi in bays around 1300 and good soap the pumps two are new two have recently been rebuilt but I had a lady today acting crazy never got
To talk to
Her but she left obviously ticked just curious what other people are running?
 
Randy said:
1500 psi with a 1505 nozzle. Lots of soap, almost like spray paint.
Click to expand...

What pumps are you running?

I've considered increasing my PSI's. I'm running about 1250.

Also, do most owners replace seals, valves, o-rings on a set basis - say yearly/hourly, or when performance degrades?
 
I personally haven't, however, I plan on it I just got a couple of washes and trying to juggle both while trying to cash flow upgrades and job my organization is lacking but think a well run operation it is pivotal! Just my 2 cents
 
Car_Wash_Guy said:
What pumps are you running?

I've considered increasing my PSI's. I'm running about 1250.

Also, do most owners replace seals, valves, o-rings on a set basis - say yearly/hourly, or when performance degrades?
Click to expand...

Cat 310 pump with a 3 phase 3 hp motor. The only time we replace seals is when the performance drops off, lower pressure, pulsating etc. Very seldom do we ever replace valves or "O" rings. I actually get complaints about to much soap from time to time. I'd raise my pressure if I were you.
 
Cat 5120 (I think)

Regular Bays 1100 Super Bays 1350 with bigger tips.
Don't touch pumps unless they die , then I replace them.
 
Randy said:
Cat 310 pump with a 3 phase 3 hp motor. The only time we replace seals is when the performance drops off, lower pressure, pulsating etc. Very seldom do we ever replace valves or "O" rings. I actually get complaints about to much soap from time to time. I'd raise my pressure if I were you.
Click to expand...

Thanks

Upped them to 1400 yesterday.

What tip are you running at the PSI? I was happy with 3207 when I was at 1100PSI.
 
Careful now…You don’t want to overload your motors!

1400 PSI with new #6 tip flows 3.5 GPM
(1400 * 3.5) / 1460 = 3.4 horsepower required

1400 PSI with new #5 tip flows 3 GPM
(1400 * 3) / 1,460 = 2.9 horsepower required
 
cantbreak80 said:
Careful now…You don’t want to overload your motors!

1400 PSI with new #6 tip flows 3.5 GPM
(1400 * 3.5) / 1460 = 3.4 horsepower required

1400 PSI with new #5 tip flows 3 GPM
(1400 * 3) / 1,460 = 2.9 horsepower required
Click to expand...

I have 5hp motors pushing 5CP2120W pumps, so I assume I should be fine, no?
 
No worries with 5hp.

I get positive comments with 1350 PSI and #6 tips...except from the weak wristed. That includes ME when I have 8 bays to clean. :rolleyes:
 
I noticed some local guys running "SuperBays" Advertising Higher pressure and charging a higher price. ($2.50 for 4 min & $3.00 for 4 Minutes with 2:00 Minutes Bonus time for $5.00 increments) I asked about it here on the forum. I run about 1100 PSi with 05 tips in regular bays and as suggested went to 07 tips and 1350 PSI advertised for the Superbays. it's actualy a little higher so if anyone asks for details I underpromise and over delver. AFAIAC if you can do this, and it's not hard to put a slightly bigger Pulley on, there is no reason not to. It gives customers an upgrade choice and on those days when all bays are full perhaps this is a demand pricing benefit. Wait for cheaper bay or use more expensive one.
 
I do 1000 psi at the nozzle with a 2506 tip. I measure at the nozzle to ensure each bay is consistent. it requires a little work, I place a Tee with a pressure gauge on it on the end of the wand. I then mark the bay pressure gauge in the pump room with a sharpie at the correct pressure. It usually requires around 1250-1400 at the pump, depending on HP line length and hose diameter. The pressure seems sufficient, but not super high. I usually don't get comments either( bad or good) about the pressure. It's easier for women to use, and I really don't want the business where someone is trying to knock a lot of crap off with high pressure anyway.
 
Here is my thought. Lots of Guys running lots of Pressure - 1500 PSI or so. Not sure if they measure at the pump or wand.

Per my earlier queries about Superbays I noted that my Bays were 1100 at the pump with 05 nozzles. As suggested I put an 07 nozzle in the Superbay and raised it to 1400 at the pump but advertise 1350. My arm gets tired after a minute or two at that pressure. No quite as bad at the other bays.

The real point of this is that this is a beautiful thing. I charge a 30% premium for the 2 superbays and see plenty of people choose to use it when regular bays are open. For those rare days when all bays may be occupied it acts as a demand pricing structure. For those not doing this I think you leave $ on the table.
 
I had not one, but two separate customers go out of their want to track me down( I was doing some landscaping maintenance) and thank me yesterday of increasing the pressure in the SS bays. I might leave a bay at 1100 as I get a lot of women and elderly people that I feel would get tired of holding the higher pressure wand after a while. I noticed, like Earl mentioned, my hand was tired after about 2 mins at 1500psi
 
Car_Wash_Guy said:
I had not one, but two separate customers go out of their want to track me down( I was doing some landscaping maintenance) and thank me yesterday of increasing the pressure in the SS bays. I might leave a bay at 1100 as I get a lot of women and elderly people that I feel would get tired of holding the higher pressure wand after a while. I noticed, like Earl mentioned, my hand was tired after about 2 mins at 1500psi
Click to expand...

Not sure if anyone has tried & thoroughly tested the Cat Pump or KR variable pressure gun besides myself ... but somehow we have them working out at our location & we have had compliments from some customers about that fact they can let up on the trigger to get less pressure. The "dump gun's" plunger does have to be kept free with WD40 as needed ... usually every few months ... pretty minor as far as maintenance is concerned. So our bays are all "up to 1500 PSI" but not if the customer prefers less. Granted ... with the trigger let up ... there is slightly more water used but the Cat310 - 3HP combo limits that to not much more water. Someone on this forum has remarked in the past that water dumps on the customer's foot ... that has not been our experience with those specific dump guns.

http://car-wash.kleen-ritecorp.com/search?w=dump gun

When we have a extra muddy clean up situation ... we use our 1/2" hose reel & pull out a special gun with a 2508 nozzle using as many as 4 pumps from a 7 pump manifold we built over 25 years ago. The water volume is definitely a factor in its effectiveness!

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com
 
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