Bay Hose Sizing

[Mr. Clean]

Is the pump going to be happier and live longer the larger the hose between the outlet and bay boom or is fitteng size the determinant factor? Have two locations - one using 1/4, one 5/16. Have never considered the difference previously but have to replace a 5/16 and only have 1/4 on hand.
TIA
MC

 

[OurTown]

I thought most were 3/8".

 

[cbchevy4x4]

I have 1 wash that is 1/4" and one that is 3/8" I have noticed no discernable difference on pumps, Pump maintenance etc. The main difference i have is on high pressure functions the changeover time is less on the 1/4" vs 3/8"

 

[edredtop]

The spray tip is the restriction on the system.

 

[Keno]

We switch over to 1/4 as hoses fail. Quicker switch over on functions and lighter and easier for customer to use.

 

[OurTown]

What size tips and pressure are you guys running? I'm speculating more pressure loss at the tip with the 1/4" but maybe some of you can test this.

 

[Greg Pack]

I use 3/8" but 5/16” is the sweet spot for changeover time and not excessive friction loss in the longer runs. I tried 1/4" and I felt the loss was too great. I was having to dial up pressure to 1600 at the pump gauge to get 1000 at the gun. You could use 1/4” from manifold to trigger gun to speed up changeover time.

Looking online it appears that with a #6 nozzle@1000 psi (3 GPM) 1/4" hose loses over 40 psi per 10 ft. , 5/16" loses 17 and 3/8" loses only 7. I’ve got one wash with an equipment room on one end and my furthest bay is a 120 ft. run. Add in miscellaneous losses from the bay manifold, swivels, etc to that and you can see where 1/4” is pushing it , especially in longer runs.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

3/8" from pump to bay manifold, then 1/4" to the gun.

 

[Waxman]

I used three eights for everything. It seems to work well for me. I've only got two ss bays though, and changeover is about 6 to 7 seconds for chemicals. Nobody complains about that.

 

[Keno]

3/8" from pump to bay manifold, then 1/4" to the gun.

I should clarify, this is what I do - only 1/4 from manifold to gun. 3/8 for pump to bay. Running a 2505 tip set at 1200psi at pump - like this combo and customers come to our wash due to better pressure than our competitors