Once again, I am replacing the hose on my Coleman shampoo/vac combo unit. I am using flex hose this time (the same hose used on oscillators on their water wizards). Problem is that the old hose is gaulded where it connects to handle. I tried heat and ruined the switch. Now I am trying to rebuild from another old hose assembly I have. Has anyone converted or tried a hose assembly form another mfg.? The design on the coleman hose is terrible. They weld the plate the brush is attached to after they install the switch, so if the switch goes bad you can't get it out to replace it. If I can buy an assemble from another manufacturer and get it to work I am going to do it. It is simply two small poly hoses and two 24v wires that are attached to the switch in the handle.
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Coleman Shampoo Hose Assembly
- Thread starter Buzzie8
- Start date
MEP001
Well-known member
You'd have to come up with a way to fasten it inside the machine, but a Fragramatics assembly is half the cost of the Coleman one. The Doyle machines use a large aluminum strain relief that looks like this:
I don't recall if it's 3/4" or 1" but I'll look. I replaced the fittings in the machine with quick-connect tubing ones, so it takes just a few minutes and a Channel-Lock pliers to change the hose.
I don't recall if it's 3/4" or 1" but I'll look. I replaced the fittings in the machine with quick-connect tubing ones, so it takes just a few minutes and a Channel-Lock pliers to change the hose.
You'd have to come up with a way to fasten it inside the machine, but a Fragramatics assembly is half the cost of the Coleman one. The Doyle machines use a large aluminum strain relief that looks like this:
I don't recall if it's 3/4" or 1" but I'll look. I replaced the fittings in the machine with quick-connect tubing ones, so it takes just a few minutes and a Channel-Lock pliers to change the hose.
Does KR sell the fragmatic hose assembly? Also does it have the two small poly hoses and 24v switch wiring?
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
I used a Fragramatics hose on mine. I thought everything was fine, but every now and then all of the shampoo was gone out of the tank. Turns out that if the toggle switch in the handle is left on the solenoid is open, regardless of whether the machine is running or not. If the head is below the tank all of the shampoo would siphon out. With the help of my buddy Greg Pack, I added a relay so that the solenoid would only be hot when the pump was running...problem solved.
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
Yes. I ordered a hose for a standalone shampooer (not combo vac) without spot remover. I spoke with Kelly at Fragramatics. I told her I needed the wires and two hoses and that's what we landed on. I think I crimped an end on the vac end, but I don't remember for sure. It seems that I needed 3/8 MP to attatch it. If you don't have your own crimper you can use one of the reuseable ends, or maybe Fragramatics would do it for you.
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
There's no peristaltic pump for sure. I forget what sends the shampoo to the gun. I remember we used the power from whatever pump or the compressor. It was something that was only powered when shampoo was used.
I think I got this all figured out, but in the future I will be buying the fragmatics brush head assembly and swapping out their toggle switch with the switch Coleman uses. KR sells them for $15.00
http://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-31850-push-button-for-jim-coleman-combo-vacs.aspx
This should eliminate the tank emptying.
I was able to piece mine together with some old Coleman hose assemblies I save from before.
I think the biggest improvement is swapping out the steel braided hose with the thermoplastic hose that I use for my oscillators. This stuff is tuff to break. Only time will tell now.
http://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-31850-push-button-for-jim-coleman-combo-vacs.aspx
This should eliminate the tank emptying.
I was able to piece mine together with some old Coleman hose assemblies I save from before.
I think the biggest improvement is swapping out the steel braided hose with the thermoplastic hose that I use for my oscillators. This stuff is tuff to break. Only time will tell now.
MEP001
Well-known member
FWIW, I buy blue abrasion-resistant pressure washer hose and get all the other parts from Fragramatics to put together the hoses. The pressure washer stuff is very flexible and very very tough. The last time I used a straight-up Fragramatics hose assembly, I found it badly kinked the very next day - it didn't hurt it but it looked bad.
I would recommend using the Coleman Shampoo heads, they are made of all Stainless rather then all plastic. The problem I have with them is just the hoses dont last long, they always come apart right where the handle extension meets the hose exiting from it. Otherwise they are good. Trying to push/pull the wires and tubing thru a new hose with the fittings is next to impossible, I have tried a few times and always just end up buying a whole setup.
I think I have this whole thing finally figured out. On my last hose change I used a poly flex hose (same hose used on oscillators on Coleman water wizards). I fished the small poly hoses and the wires through the new hose and then had my hose supplier crimp the new fittings on. Worked like a charm and was easy to do!. I am assuming this hose will last much much longer. So far no wear at all.
MEP001
Well-known member
The trick is running something like a fish tape or twine through the hose, hooking the wires and tubing to that, tying off the tape/twine to something and then pulling the hose over the tubing. I use a paper towel soaked in mineral spirits to lubricate the tubing as I pull the hose over it, and it slides right through.
Vin,
My poly tube is not working out as well as originally reported. It is starting to kink at brush head. It's too bad because otherwise it would be much better than braided hose. Just a heads up.
