Hydramaster 4.7 CDS Mix Tank Bypass?

Discussion in 'Ask Our Repairmen' started by holescleaning, Jan 10, 2012.

  1. holescleaning New Member

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    Hello all, I just purchased my very first truck mount on auction. It is a Hydramaster 4.7 CDS in a 1997 Chevy 3500 gas van. I cranked it up today to give it it's first test to find out that my diaphram pump that pumps water from the fresh water tank to the mixtank isn't functioning. Upon further inspection, the pump itself is getting power as I can hear it clicking on and off about every second or two. I am thinking I can bypass the mix tank and run the inlet hose for the cat pump directly from the fresh water tank. I do not use or plan to use chemical injection so the mix tank means nothing to me. The cat pump should have the suction to pull the water 6 feet or so shouldn't it? Looking for suggestions from the experts. Thanks in advance, hopefully I included enough information.
    holescleaning, Jan 10, 2012
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  2. holescleaning New Member

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    Also there is a float in the mix tank that I assume controls the diaphram pump letting it know when the mix tank is full etc. The float seems to have something loose inside that makes me think it is the problem. I am open to ideas of repairing it back to normal, I called hydramaster and they don't carry that style float anymore. Just looking for the cheapest and reliable alternative.
    holescleaning, Jan 10, 2012
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  3. Ara Klujian Moderator & TMF Repair Expert

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    The mix tank is an important part of the system. It keeps the pump cool and allows the bypass to be routed to the mix tank rather than directly to the pump. Its much better for the pump in the long run because the bypass will damage the pump over time. My suggestion would be to remove the fresh water tank and demand pump instead. If you decide to get rid of the mix tank your going to have problems. When the mix tank is full it will run great. But when the mix tank gets low you will experience problems with your pump loosing its prime with or without a one way check valve on the inlet. Especially if you decide to run the bypass to the pump with a dema valve for soap.

    Fresh water tanks are more of a pain then they are worth. In my opinion they limit your output and add so much weight to the truck making gas milage so low. I'm sure you can get a lot of money for the tank and pump. I know this is not what you want to hear but the truth is, unless you gravity feed the pump your in for problems down the road that will put your truck down and repair bills up.
    Ara Klujian, Jan 11, 2012
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  4. holescleaning New Member

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    Sounds like I'll need to locate the problem as to why my pump isn't switching on. When I turn just the TM key on without the van running so I can actually hear. I can hear the water pump cycling on and off very rapidly than it stops. Does this sound like it could be part of problem? As I said float seems to have something rolling around in it as well. How do I go about diagnosing the troubled part?
    holescleaning, Jan 13, 2012
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  5. toddthecleaner Well-Known Member

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    Post a picture of your waterbox(mix tank) and the float.
    toddthecleaner, Jan 13, 2012
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  6. Ara Klujian Moderator & TMF Repair Expert

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    When you talked to HydraMaster why didn't they help you?
    Ara Klujian, Jan 13, 2012
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  7. holescleaning New Member

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    At the time when I talked to Hydramaster I had only had the machine a day and didn't know my way around it, not that I do now but am a bit more comfortable with it. Ara, you had mentioned demand pumping before, is that just hooking up to a garden hose? Please explain. Here is the picture that was requested. I want to thank everyone for their time.
    IMG_3702.jpg
    holescleaning, Jan 14, 2012
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  8. toddthecleaner Well-Known Member

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    That float you have there is an electronic float switch and it has a ball inside that makes the electrical contact when the tank is full. You should hear the ball rolling around like you mentioned if you move it, this is normal. The demand pump is the electrical pump that will pump water from your fresh water tank to your mix tank. It is refered to as a demand pump because it only pumps when needed. From how you describe the demand pump to be cycling on and off rapidly makes me think that there is a clog between the demand pump and the mix tank. There should be an inline filter between the pump and tank, check that first and if it is clean then you need to check for a blockage elsewhere. another common trouble spot for blockage is at the quick connect for the water inlet if your machine has one. You may want to replace both the male and female quick connect, I have had the very problem you are having before and it was the quick connections.
    toddthecleaner, Jan 14, 2012
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  9. holescleaning New Member

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    That does sound like a possibility. I just left my van and won't be around it until Monday. Do these pumps automatically turn off if they aren't getting water?

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    holescleaning, Jan 14, 2012
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  10. holescleaning New Member

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    You mentioned that it could be at the water inlet if my machine has one. I don't think there is a quick connect in between my fresh water tank and mix tank. I believe that the water flows from the fresh water tank to the pump where it than goes directly to the mix tank. I could be wrong as I'm not looking at it right now. Is the the normal setup? You guys would know much more than me.
    holescleaning, Jan 14, 2012
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  11. toddthecleaner Well-Known Member

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    The pump will run non stop if there is no water in the large supply tank and the pump is getting no water. 90% of the time the reason a pump will cycle really fast is as it is pumping water it builds pressure aginst where ever the clog is and then shuts off and as soon as the pressure goes down the pump will turn back on. If you have a partial clog the pressure builds enough to shut off the pump for a second or two until enough water gets past the clog dropping the pressure enough to activate the pump. Another thing that can cause the pump to cycle is a bad pressure switch on the pump itself and if this is the case it's usually easiest just to replace the pump.
    toddthecleaner, Jan 14, 2012
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  12. holescleaning New Member

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    Well on Monday I'll take a look at the hoses and see what I find out. I should probably pull the hoses off and see if the pump operates any differently. I'll try to get back to you guys Monday. Once again, I appreciate the help.
    holescleaning, Jan 15, 2012
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  13. Ara Klujian Moderator & TMF Repair Expert

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    Water from the fresh tank should go directly to the mix tank. From the mix tank to the pump.
    Ara Klujian, Jan 16, 2012
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  14. holescleaning New Member

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    Turned out to be clogged just as was suggested my Todd. Everything is working as it should now. Going to do a test clean tomorrow. Appreciate the help from everyone! Thanks again.
    holescleaning, Jan 16, 2012
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