Procon Presoak Pump Problems

[Buzzie8]

I am having a horrible time on my Water Wizard 1.0 with Procon Presoak Pumps. I am replacing them about two to three times a year. All the other Procon Pumps seem to be holding up. It is just the Procon Presoak pump that keeps burning up. I know the pumps are not running dry and Procon has not honored their warranty on any of the pumps I sent back. At $200 a clip these are getting expensive. I would pay more for a more reliable pump. Any suggestions?

 

[Tom Thumb]

procon pumps

I brought mine from dultmeier sales and so far have good sucess.

Only replaced presoak on both my units last month, been in use 3 1/2 years.

 

[Buzzie8]

Was Procon the manufacturer?

 

[Tom Thumb]

No ,I cannot reminber the name but they look the same ,also brass. I think it is a RotoFlow but not sure.
will look tomorrow and get back .

 

[MEP001]

Three likely reasons why your pumps aren't lasting: your presoak is destroying the pumps, they're not getting sufficient supply or they're being operated at a pressure exceeding their design. Are you using the model with the internal relief and operating them in the 160-170 PSI range? If so, consider adding a bypass regulator. The internal pop-off was not intended to be used as a working regulator, just a safety.

 

[Buzzie8]

Thanks for the reply. Here is my response to your three possible scenarios:
1. I do not think the pumps are running dry. When I take the feed hose off fluid pours out in solid stream ( I also make sure there are not any air locks when I install).
2. My presoak could have something to do with it but I am not sure as others are using the same chemicals without problems (Kleenrite HPH Powder and Detergent).
3. When the pumps go bad there is carbon filings breaking up inside. The pressure plates are not popping off. The pumps are 170 psi pumps that are adjusted to 50 PSI.

This is a very perplexing problem!!!

 

[Greg Pack]

I would at least try to order the lower pressure procons. How bout your pump seal material? Also, make sure your hydro float is not cracked, leaking sand into the presoak tank. Coleman makes Stainless ones now for the heated presoak tanks. The floats are expesiive, but cheaper than a new pump.

 

[Tom Thumb]

pump is RotoFlow by Fluid-o-Tech, model PO811V.
This is a brass pump and direct replacement for the procon that came on unit new.
Hope this helps.
I set at 48 PSI and have no problems so far.

 

[Buzzie8]

Was your orginal presoak pump brass or stainless? Also, I learned that friction from my presoak chemicals could be causing the failures. What chemicals do you use for your presoak. I used a Blendco powder and recently changed to Kleenrite powder. Could the powder be the culprit?

 

[MEP001]

It should be a simple conversion to switch to a FloJet pump, which should hold up better to a chemical that's eating up Procons.

 

[Tom Thumb]

Original was brass, and I use all Blendco chemicals,IBA and SS.

 

[Mr. Clean]

I am having a horrible time on my Water Wizard 1.0 with Procon Presoak Pumps. I am replacing them about two to three times a year. All the other Procon Pumps seem to be holding up. It is just the Procon Presoak pump that keeps burning up. I know the pumps are not running dry and Procon has not honored their warranty on any of the pumps I sent back. At $200 a clip these are getting expensive. I would pay more for a more reliable pump. Any suggestions?

Buzzie8, you are not alone. I've changed mine on a Laser 4 tmies since last June. I spoke with a tech at Procon last summer who said they'd had some seal problems since mfg. went to Mexico. I think the problems go beyoond that. Time to get on the horn and make them aware, but I wanted to see if my situation was isolated or not.

 

[wisheewashee]

Try ordering form Car Wash Superstore. I have ordered my procon from there and they are definitely cheaper than Dultmier or Coleman.

 

[troysaffell]

I your unit is in a cold weather climate the wizard will blow down. If your black plastic check valve is bad the blow down will blow the chemical out of the procon and cause premature failure. Also if your changing chemicals coagulation can cause the strainer to clog up in the botttom of the pre soak tank restricting flow to the procon. I always replace the check valve and clean the strainer every time I replace a Procon. that is standard procedure when changing all procons. Hope this helps.

 

[cleaning up mud]

I changed mine to a booster pump, because the procon just would not put out enough soap for me! Had to change the inside of the valves in the gantry for the higher pressure but it was worth it! My new 2.0 has a new type pump on it that works so much better!!!

 

[dclark3344]

I am with Troy on the Check valve but it doesn't have to be cold weather. When the check valve below the gauge goes bad the air that provides the foaming of the presoak comes on and it will blow back into the presoak take and cause many problems, no presoak on the car occasionally and pump failure. Really threw me a curve ball the first time because it worked fine most of the time but I was seeing suds in the hydro minder tank.