Straight inlets into waste tank?

[leofloors]

I have a TMT unit (Powerclean Freedom XT) with a roots 36 blower and my waste tank inlets are 90 degree angle inlets (actually one is not being used at this time). I am wanting to incorporate the 4 to the door method to increase airflow for carpet cleaning but I also know that the angled inlets also restrict airflow and would like to replace them with straight ones. Does anyone know where I can get one? Basically a straight 2" hose barb to 2" machine thread.

[Bruce Zelt]

I don't think it has enough umphf for 4 to the door.

Your best bet is a kunkle valve.

[saboyt]

Best place i know to get them is mcmaster carr supply in atlanta. To view links in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.
2" barbed by threaded male. I bought 8 of them a couple weeks ago.

With the powerclean unit you probably don't need the 300 degree temp one. Probably get by without any problem using one rated for about 160 degrees. To view links in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.

We have to use the 300 because we recover water at 280 degrees.

[Gary T]

Hey Marc, I opened up the 2nd port, attached 2 2" hose to a Y near the back of the trailer. I run 2.5" to the door, then 2" to the hose. Damn thing sucks like crazy. Turbo sticks to many floors, the miniturbo can barely be moved. And the suck for carpets is awesome. It is easier than 4TD and suck is almost the same.

[leofloors]

Originally Posted by Bruce Zelt

I don't think it has enough umphf for 4 to the door.

Your best bet is a kunkle valve.

I have been told by a few companies (that are familiar with this equipment) that the 4 to the door setup is the easiest way to increase airflow and decrease dry times with a #3 blower.

Steve,

Thanks for the link. Obviously, you are very familiar with the TMT equipment. What type of modifications have you tried that were successful for making the unit better for carpet cleaning. I have thought about a Roots 47 blower but I think I will wait until I see if I decide that I even want to continue with carpet. I don't see why these units didn't come with a 47 anyway. I know its available for them.

Also what are you using for a heat booster? The little giant or something else?

[DavidF]

What is 4 to the door?

[Gary T]

Here is a pic of the 2.5" setup. Many guys are reporting very similar performance with 2.5" to the door as with 4" to the door.
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[Gary T]

4 to the door is: Most waste tanks have 2 inlets on them. Most are only using 1 running a 2" hose to the tool restricting CFM. 4 to the door is opening the second inlet and running another 2" hose to the house to a Y fitting and running a 2" hose to the tool. This increases CFM and lift allowing better extraction, especially on carpets. Carpet likes to hold on to the moisture more than tile, so more lift and CFM(especially with smaller blowers)helps pull more moisture from the carpet. Basically 4 to the door allows smaller blowers to do the work of larger blowers.

[leofloors]

Thanks Gary. I didn't see your first post until after I responded to Steve. I was going to do the same as you do (2x2" to a 2.5" in trailer) until someone told me to just take a second 2" hose to the door and Y it there saving the need to buy a 2.5" hose since I already have 250' of 2" hose. This way I can also just use one hose for tile since one is plenty of suction cleaning tile.

Now I just need to figure out which new wand I'm going to get. I've been hearing a lot of positive feedback on the TM Evolution wand (2" tube design vs. their 1.5" model) I currently use a Rotovac Powerwand but it is kind of slow going and you have to do a real good dry pass otherwise it takes forever to dry. It does clean well though. I also just purchased an Airpath Studebaker to help speed up dry times.

[saboyt]

Before i spent an additional $2000 for a new 47 blower, i would make sure that it was something that i needed, and it would make enough difference to warrant the cost. My first thought would be to reduce the amount of water used when cleaning carpet so you don't have the problem in the beginning. Also, using a good wand instead of the rotovac might reduce the amount of water left behind. If the rotovac is not correctly adjusted, it will leave a ton of water.

The 36 blower is rated up to 330 cfm but you are probably not getting that. That's based on the pully system being matched to the motor for optimum p rpm to the blower. Make sure you are running your unit at full throttle and the vacuum compensator is set for 15. Keep your lint basket and input filters clean also. This is where most of the vac pressure is lost.

[saboyt]

Also what are you using for a heat booster? The little giant or something else?

Not on the powerclean but on our new system we are using a 350,000 btu, 10,000psi heater. We are producing constant heat in excess of 280 degrees at 2500 psi when we want to, but we are having to limit it so it doesn't get over 260 for safety reasons!

[leofloors]

Steve,

What do you mean by " If the rotovac is not correctly adjusted, it will leave a ton of water"? What kind of adjustment are you talking about?

This may be a stupid question but when you say full throttle do you mean crank it all the way or 3000rpm? I always thought that we were not suppose to go full throttle.

[saboyt]

Full throttle on that unit should be just over 3000 rpm. Usually about 3200 or so. This is where it should run. The unit is designed to be run at that rpm. All the pulleys are sized to give the correct operating speed to the high pressure pump, APO and the blower at that throttle speed. It amazes me how many people are running at lower rpms and can't understand why they have no heat or can't obtain the high pressures, etc. The only time i would run at lower throttle speed is at cool down.

If the rotovac is not adjusted properly - meaning the wheel height, the vac ports will not contact the carpet with enough strength to create a "seal" with the carpet, allowing vac pressure to escape. That's what i meant by adjusting properly. I thought you were talking about the power rotovac, but after rereading, i see you are talking about the wand.

[Eric J]

I go full throttle all the time. the more heat and the more suction the better!

Except on some stones.

[leofloors]

Thanks again for the info Steve. What I don't understand is why the guys at TMT told us to run @ 3000rpm. I can guarantee you that I will be running @ 3200rpm from now on. As for the rotovac, I thought that was what you were talking about but just wanted to check. I usually have the wheels completely up unless it's to hard to move.