Prep Gun Pump Issue

[AppleExpress]

Not sure if anyone can help me out here or not. I have an Aramitzu K-508 pump with pulsation dampener and unloader assembly for my prep guns. Recently i ran into an issue where my prep gun furthest away from the pump (about 90ft of line) would pulsate unless you also squeezed the trigger of a gun closer to the pump (10ft and 30ft away). Turned out to be a gun issue. However after replacing the gun i now run into the problem of my unloader pulsing when not in use from 200-400psi. during gun use it runs normally at 800psi and begins pulsing as soon as you let off the trigger. I also have substantial leaking from the unloader. (ive replaced it twice). All of these problems occured when we changed our lines from galvanized steel to stainless steel about 3 months ago. I dont have any experience with these pumps and am learning as i go... should i look at rebuilding/replacing the pulse dampener? or would it constitue a pump issue?

 

[Washmee]

You have a small leak somewhere in your system on the high pressure side. Check your hoses and gun swivels.

 

[MEP001]

Sounds right - assuming it's set up with shut-off guns and an unloader, the pump should idle with zero pressure when not in use. Any leak at all will make the line lose pressure, then the pump will "pulse" to rebuild the pressure in the line and go back into unload. If there are absolutely no leaks anywhere, then the unloader check valve is bad.

 

[AppleExpress]

Alrighty, well looks like my maintenance guy is going to be retracing all the lines he just installed, haha. appreciate the input. ill let ya's know what i find.

 

[buda]

An aside on this subject:

Had an Armitsu pump on my prep guns at entrance to the car wash and found that the pump went out because it was not suitable for an alkaline chemical we were running through it.

Was told when it went out that I needed a more expensive stainless steel pump if I was going to use chemical through the pump.

Funny, the system was sold to me as though it was a prep system that would accept chemical.

Anyone interested in a nice Armitsu pump that has been completely rebuilt like new?

Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

 

[AppleExpress]

Buda, PM me and let me know what model it is and how much you wanted for it. Thanks.

 

[buda]

Send me your email address. Mine is: buda@detailplus.com

Bud Abraham

 

[robert roman]

“All of these problems occured when we changed our lines from galvanized steel to stainless steel about 3 months ago.”

You may have identified one reason for your problem; mating galvanized steel with stainless steel.

Doing so increases the likelihood of metal to metal corrosion or bimetallic corrosion, especially when water and salts are in environment.

For example, Alfa Romero had huge repair issues (blown head gaskets) from bimetallic corrosion back in the mid-70’s when company mated aluminum heads to cast iron engine block.

Consider going back to galvanized.

 

[AppleExpress]

Roman- We actually replaced everything with stainless. So theres no Galvanized in the system any longer. Also ive checked through the whole system and replaced the bad gun today and there are no leaks anywhere except at the unloader when the system is running. Whenever it pulsates the unloader opens and water leaks out (quite a bit), so the only option i think i have left is to rebuild/replace the pulse dampener and/or pump. My maintenance guy has been trying to solve the issue for awhile now and he's to the point of telling the dealership to just replace both and be done with it.

 

[autospa]

Matt, the unloader had a built in check valve that goes bad. Don't waste your time trying to rebuild the unloader because in most cases the body of the unloader gets a groove cut into it and will never completely seal off. Also if its an Arimitsu 508 I would highly recommend keeping a seal kit on hand.

 

[mac]

You made the right move by doing away with the galvanized pipes. They constantly rust internally and break off little pieces that clog stuff.

 

[AppleExpress]

ok, well found no leaks anywhere. so contacted sonny's who put me in touch with Arimitsu. I have to tear the pump apart. They think there may be debris caught in one of the valves. doesnt surprise me the least because the company has reclaim water hooked up to the pump and refuses to switch it to fresh. so now im waiting for my maintenance guy to get freed up to do it. hopefully will be tomorrow, otherwise next week.

 

[dewey9876]

I have used a Arimitsu 508 as prep gun pump for years. We also use reclaim water. I have never had any issues. We have a screen filter between the tank and pump to keep out any debris. Again no issues using reclaim water. As far as the wash refusing to go to fresh water... Maybe they can't! I am closed loop so I am VERY limited how much fresh water I can add to the system. We only use fresh water in our rinse arches. If I switched my prep gun to fresh I would be over flowing my tanks in a day or so.

 

[AppleExpress]

The company definitely can go to fresh water on the pump. To be honest, they dont know a thing about the carwash. I was dropped into the position and had to learn on the fly basically. It all comes down to money. They dont want to replace anything until it breaks, and im sure you all know that you cant run a carwash that way. Ive had to shut down for 4 days at a time waiting on parts from Sonny's to arrive because a bearing blew apart, and i told them the bearing was bad 2 months prior, but they wouldnt authorize me replacing it.

 

[dewey9876]

The company definitely can go to fresh water on the pump. To be honest, they dont know a thing about the carwash. I was dropped into the position and had to learn on the fly basically. It all comes down to money. They dont want to replace anything until it breaks, and im sure you all know that you cant run a carwash that way. Ive had to shut down for 4 days at a time waiting on parts from Sonny's to arrive because a bearing blew apart, and i told them the bearing was bad 2 months prior, but they wouldnt authorize me replacing it.

You are correct you can't run a car wash like that. I feel for ya, puts you in a tough position.

 

[PA CW Tech]

Perhaps the issue is needing check valves on the individual outlets off the pump since the trigger to this starting was the 3rd gun that is 8' lower than the pump.

Sorry to hear your company takes a "wait til it breaks" approach to caring for their investment.

How often is your preventative maintenance done?

 

[AppleExpress]

I do regular PM's daily/weekly/monthly ect. based around a maintenance log from Sonny's. However as far as PM's done by an outside company that usually get done once per month, ours are done once every 4 months.