Thread: How to get more Heat/Suction out of....

You have an entry level truckmount. It will do what it was designed for. But it is like an economy car. It will never have the luxury of a Mercedes or the performance of a sports car.

Some manufacturers will give the theoretically or maximum performance of the componetnts in theri equipment. This is seldom real world performance.

There are many ways to upgrade. It depends on what you need for your particular jobs or sometimes what you desire for your self confidence or ego.

You may be able to shorten hose runs, use a wider diameter hose or superior performing vaccum hose. Add a booster vaccum for long hose runs.

Add an propane fire in-line heater for more heat.

Lots of options.

Originally Posted by Dbonezny

My Truck Mount. I'm tired of seeing everyones video of copious steam coming out of their truck mounts and I know, i'm NOT getting the suction I need for faster drying times.

Here's my setup, how can I pull more out of it without buying new?

Compact Size: 36"L x 20"W, Weight: 350 lbs.

• Continuous Heat: Temperature: 200º F
This work-saving continuous 200º F supply of water is provided by state-of-the-art 100% stainless steel dual heat exchange system. Cuts costs by eliminating dangerous LP gas or fuel.(this is BS, i can't get more than 150* at the wand tip at any given time.
•The Roots™ 3.3MP Positive Displacement Rotary Lobes vacuum blowers produce over 15 inches of mercury and 281 CFM.
• Power by KOHLER™ Command Engine 15 Horse Power
The fuel • High Pressure Pump: HYPRO™ 3 Piston Pump 2500 PSI
• Includes 75 Gallon all 100%
• Weight: Panther 15, 350 lbs. Recovery Tank, 70 lbs

Most of Scott's info is good.
But i don't think a wider hose would be good, but a smaller one.
If your running 2 in. , go to 1 1/2 .
Sliders can also increase your vacuum up to 15% to 60% depending on what type of carpet you are cleaning, and what Slide you are using.

Cheers, AL

Heat is only a part of the cleaning puzzle. To be honest my Boxxer 421 doesn't get as hot as I'd like either. It says around 230 degrees at the machine, but I'm probably around 180 or even less by the time it comes out of the jets. I have no real way to check at this time. I can offer a few suggestions that cost either nothing to a small amount if your goal is to get the carpets dry faster. First and foremost, doing at least one or two extra dry strokes after your cleaning passes cuts drying significantly. Most of the time I do my cleaning stroke going back and then bear down a little on a forward dry stroke. If I feel the carpet is still too wet I may make more dry strokes if needed. Second thing that will speed drying is get some fans. I have 5 fans, but only carry two with me at all times. As soon as I get done with an area I put one on it and move to the next area. If the customer has ceiling fans that actually work good I turn them on high blowing down. In most cases if the water has been extracted out pretty well just using extra dry strokes and fans the carpet should dry in anywhere from as little as 1 or 2 hours to maybe 5 or 6 depending on the carpet, humidity, etc. High humidity can seriously mess with dry times. In warmer weather I make sure the a/c is running or the windows are open. There has to be some way to get the humidity out of the house so the carpet can dry. In winter the central heat is enough to dry the air so the carpet can dry out. I once cleaned a house years ago and the customer took off on a 1 week vacation the same day I cleaned. This was in warm weather and they turned the a/c completely off and closed the house up tight as a drum. The carpet was still wet days later. I learned a valuable lesson from that experience. Central a/c or heat, fans, or even open windows can make a dramatic difference in how fast the carpet dries. I mention this because right now in many areas it is too warm to turn the heat on yet and too cool for a/c. If that is the case in your area you have to either get some windows open or get the customer to turn on either central heat or a/c at least for a while after you clean. Lastly, sometimes I run into a particularly stubborn carpet to get dry. I'm not always sure why, but it either has to be the construction of the carpet or it's material. Clearly, some carpets tend to absorb way more moisture than others, like wool for example, but I've seen some synthetics hold moisture too. On these carpets, I use cotton bonnets with a rotary machine to get some excess moisture out. If you have a 175 rpm machine it doesn't take much extra time to go over the carpet with a cotton bonnet. This is something I rarely do, but sometimes really helps.

Why would you NOT want heat?
The most important reason right here:
It reduces your chemical usage and labor cost.! and aggitation, and time cleaning.!
Also it breaks surface tension like a surfactant.
(surface acting agent)....
Its part of the cleaning pie...
Edgar, Like said above get yourself a lil-giant and a slider.

I'm waiting for the 12" sliders..

Originally Posted by polcat1

Sounds like you have a chem tex panther 15 I have one too. I 've done some mods to mine to increase temp. heres one for you go to Pep Boys or your local auto parts store buy the insulating wrap they use on the race cars and wrap it around the header before your exchanger this will make an awsome improvement, more horse power and it will increase you water temp.

DO THIS AND YOU SHOULD SEE A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN THE HEAT AT THE WAND.

PUT YOUR HANDS JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST (4" TO 6") AND FEEL THE HEAT! !

THEN AFTER RUNNING THE TM FOR A GOOD WHILE (JUST AFTER THE JOB) TOUCH THE CEILING OF THE VAN. MINE IS VERY HOT. MY TM EXHAUST IS ABOUT 18" TO 20" OFF THE VANS TOP.

THEN THINK OF HOW MUCH COOLING AS ACCURRED DURING THE CLEANING TIME. AT AROUND 1,200 TO 1,450 DEGRESS. JUST HOW MANY BTUs IS THAT? YES THAT IS A LOT!!!!!!!

NOW WRAP IT AND PUT THAT LOST HEAT INTO THE HX. YOU GET HIGHER AT THE WAND TEMPS.

ALL THIS FOR ABOUT $50.00.

PS. USE THE METAL BANDS TO SECURE IT DOWN. THE ARE GREAT.


PRO RACE SHOPS HAVE THE WRAP AS WELL. RUN YOU ABOUT 50.00.

Originally Posted by spotman123

has anybody thought about the amount of psi they are cleaning at?? I've heard of guys using 150 up to 600, depending on the type and condition of carpet. What do you think??

THIS WOULD BE A BETTER THREAD. IT LIKELY TO GET LOST IN THIS ONE.

Wrap heat exchangers
Wrap headers if applicable
Avoid larger dia hose
Wrap all interior hoses and short hose with in van
Preheat fresh water


Rob

Looks to be enough here to get you started toward higher heat?

Rob has the short list above that really should getS you there. Get with "polcat1 " and that should set you with a starting pt.


What if - and this should is on the low side!


Wrap heat exchangers +3
Wrap headers if applicable +7
Avoid larger dia hose +7 Remember this can make a large difference.
Wrap all interior hoses and short hose within the van +3
Preheat fresh water +10 to 15 My cat 290 can take H2O up 165. So if you could preheat your H2O up 10 to 15 then
the outcome is ATW up the 10 to 15 from just this ! ! !
-----------
Total est increase is 30 to 45 (add to 150 and that is 180 to 195)

Even if I am off by 10 or so that 170- and you get all this heat at about 100.00 to 150.00! AWSOME !!!!!!!!

Please let us all now her how the changes helped as a whole.