Topic: In line filter

[Mike V]

Inbetween pump and tank.....has always done us right.

[Sirocco Jerry]

We NEVER use steel fittings at the inlet of a pump,
and that hex-nipple between the elbow and the pump head should be
 a close-nipple..   the thorofare is a little larger for "perfect" flow.
4gpm belt driven is easy to tank-feed, so leave it for now, but
you guys with 5gpm and more,  or especially direct drive..
EVERY little opportunity you have to make the "perfect" water-supply for your pump adds lifespan to the pump.
see the Tank-Feed image in my website, 
http://www.pressurewasher.net/control-options-blog/plumbing-a-layout.html
e-mail me images of YOUR plumbing-layout for free suggestions.
I promise, you will be glad you did.
we're glad to help !

Jerry McMillen
www.PressureWasher.net           jerry@PressureWasher.net
Sirocco Performance Vacuums             the VacuBerm,
and BullDogPro Custom WaterBlasters

[Spotless]

What is a close-nipple?The nipple i have between the elbow and the pump is 1/2 x 3/4,the center of it is straight thru.

[Johnson]

What is a close-nipple?The nipple i have between the elbow and the pump is 1/2 x 3/4,the center of it is straight thru.

This is. I use this to connect the unloader off the pump head. Only mine has a hex center so I can put a wrench on it.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=3+8+close+nipple&cid=5324028689942263616&sa=title#p

[Spotless]

Thanks Chad,I had to reduce from 3/4 to 1/2 at the pump head,got that fitting from Bob,Its straight thru.Its all I could find,it should be fine.What do you think?

[Sirocco Jerry]

the hex nipples are a little beefier,
but we're not suspending any weight like you do with the unloader.
a close nipple is  normally a little thinner.. for a larger thoroughfare.
and THAT is what you want.
Also, those reducing nipples are frequently thicker, and have smaller opening, so..
We sometimes use a close nipple with a bushing-reducer to get max-flow.
If you have a 90 degree hose barb at the pump inlet,
you may be better off using an FxFPTelbow with a close nipple,
 and a straight hose barb, to maximize flow.. Iit can make a BIG difference.
Here, now, I have to remind y'all "dual-feeding" the pump can be less tedious,
and more efective. go to "Layout and plumbing images" on my website.

Look at it this way.. the smallest opening in the Pump-Feed-System
 is the "flow-restrictor"..
If you plumb the feed line with big hoses, and open fittings, but use a tiny filter..
the filter is the flow restrictor.
If you have a big filter like that one with the lite-blue top that comes with
a super-fine-mesh nylon screen (overkill filtration),
 you plug the filter too easily, and starve the pump for water again.
Follow the flow-path from the tank-adapter itself, fitting by fitting,
'til you see EXACTLY which item is the MOST restrictive..
if it's as big, or bigger an opening than the actual pump-inlet nipple,
you're probably good.
I will have images on my website shortly.. check it or e-mail me for more info.

One more thing..
the most common "party-foul" in flow restrictors..
is leaving a chemical injector installed between your heater-outlet, and the hose-reel..
you loose SO much workspeed (from pressure-loss), you HAVE TO remove it
when NOT in use, or use the Suttner ST-61 with a variable-venturi,
so you can open it up (reduce the retriction,) when it's not in use.
Call for more info.

Jerry McMillen
www.PressureWasher.net           jerry@PressureWasher.net
Sirocco Performance Vacuums             the VacuBerm,
and BullDogPro Custom WaterBlasters

[Johnson]

Jerry, in your images I see some elbows here and there. Which as we all know are flow restictors.
But say on a d.d. system could you do the following:
Where the supply hose is attached at the top of the tank, run a 1" pvc line to the bottom with a 90 pointing out where the bulkhead fitting is. (Keeping in mind this is all plumbed in line with each other) Then that way you have the existing water in the tank feeding the pump and the pressure from the supply hose as well. This way you still kind of get the best of both worlds as far as doing a 2 or 3 way feed. With out all the t's, elbows, bends and turns.
Would this work? Would there have to be a minimal amount of water in the tank ar alot? Or would the water from the supply just swirl around and not really do anything?

[Pat Norman]

here is all I use between my tank and pw...
http://www.pressuretek.com/1ftpinoutclb.html

oh the hudson float valve for my tank also has a strainer in it that needs cleaned periodically