What's new
By:
Car Wash Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

High pressure hose problems

carnut2

carnut2

Express Exterior
Barely one year old EE and we have now blown 6 high pressure hoses. 5 to wheel blasters and HP pumps and one to conveyor motor. Is this normal and do most operators have the ability to make their own?
 
You might want to consider using stainless steel tubing for your high pressure lines. It is a little uncommon to have that many hose failures in such a short time.
 
carnut2 said:
Barely one year old EE and we have now blown 6 high pressure hoses. 5 to wheel blasters and HP pumps and one to conveyor motor. Is this normal and do most operators have the ability to make their own?
Click to expand...

The first thing I would check is the bypass pressure setting and make sure it is not to high. The other is that the pumps for the blasters may be oversized. The bypass will not send enough water back to the reservoir. You would either need to add more or larger jet(s), add a return, change the pulley size, or go to a smaller pump.

Where is the failure. At a fitting? In the middle of a hose? If in the middle is it near the same spot? Are the hoses Chafing?
 
I don't know anything about our pumps and pulleys. We use PECO equipment and hopefully they have set us up with decent stuff. Only one hose failed as it was rubbing, the rest just burst. How would we run SS lines when most of these hoses run thru PVC underground under the pit? Thanks for the replies.
 
carnut2 said:
I don't know anything about our pumps and pulleys. We use PECO equipment and hopefully they have set us up with decent stuff. Only one hose failed as it was rubbing, the rest just burst. How would we run SS lines when most of these hoses run thru PVC underground under the pit? Thanks for the replies.
Click to expand...

I have had bypass / regulators fail causing excessive pressure. Have you checked for this?
 
Stainless steel tubing is fairly flexible and can be pushed thru your pvc if you have the "sweep" fittings on it. Elsewhere, it can be bent with a tubing bender. I have done several tunnels this way.
 
According to the equipment rep, these HP hose are at their life expectancy!! After just one year! I think they put in cheap hoses, but don't want to get into expense of replacing them all. Should I go with higher PSI hose or SS?
 
Sounds to me like your equipment rep is jerking you around. Hoses should not fail after just 1 year. I would go with the ss replacement even if you have to use a better hose for the pvc runs. Run ss tubing from the equipment room to the racks etc., then if you have to, use a high quality hose thru the pvc into the pit then continue with the ss tubing.
 
carnut2 said:
According to the equipment rep, these HP hose are at their life expectancy!! After just one year! I think they put in cheap hoses, but don't want to get into expense of replacing them all. Should I go with higher PSI hose or SS?
Click to expand...

What is the PSI rating of what you have?

There are diferent types of HP hoses. Some have steel in them and some do not. If yours do not I would try the ones with the steel. You can order 3000 PSI hoses made to length from some of the catalog houses.
 
Most have PSI of 1850 or higher. Just blew another HP hose yesterday. Found out SS per foot is cheaper than the heavy duty 3000 PSI hose.
 
Blew another hose this weekend. A hydraulic line that saturated our mitters. Getting bids on SS. Anyone use water based fluid for safety or easier cleanup?
 
carnut2 said:
Blew another hose this weekend. A hydraulic line that saturated our mitters. Getting bids on SS. Anyone use water based fluid for safety or easier cleanup?
Click to expand...

I've used water based fluid for years with no problems. The cleanup is quick and easy. In fact, its harder to detect a small leak, because there is no evidence left on vehicles going through the wash.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top