I use a direct drive no issues if you use a buffer tank it’s a must to use a 12v 3-5 gpm pump to support that pressure washer otherwise u can burn pump but no issues
Glad to see someone perform that task. I will be using that same set up with the same Honda 4200 PSI 4.0 GPM pressure washer but was not sure if it would work, I am just starting to build my system thanks a lot. I will put water in my buffer tank then let it flow into a 5-gallon bucket and see if it will flow 4 - 5 GPM
Yes,the hydrostatic pressure in the buffer tank will feed the pressure washer no problem.The larger the feed line and fluid level in the tote helps as well
You need to feed the water into the tank from the top and only use one line for the pressure washer coming from the bottom of the tank, your water going in and water coming out the same inlet is your problem. I hit your subscribe button and hit your bell. Change it up and you should be fine.
If you are having problems getting enough water flow put a 12 volt 4 gpm water transfer pump coming out of the tank and into the pressure washer. They are like 100 dollars at Tractor Supply
@@Maina_En Youcould run it off a cigarette lighter connection or straight to your car battery but your vehicle would have to be on. Most people just buy a seperate deep cycle battery and an enclosure box for it. You also need to be able to recharge the battery. They last all day but eventually will need to use a solar or home wall charger for recharging the deep cycle battery.
I have a 4 gallons per minute direct drive and I’m legit making a video right now regarding this. Someone told me to make my tank higher than my pressure washer. I want a buffer tank so I can use my softwash system and maybe to down stream with a proportioner. also I’m setting up a bypass from my machine to the buffer. . I’m also just stacking money to replace it with a 8 gpm.
I’ve had people tell me to put on a bypass on my pump then that should be fine sucking water with a direct drive. but I’m not able to because my pump is mostly one peice and there’s not much I can alter to it
I’m still deciding on using a 55 gallon drum or 200 gal Ibc tote for the buffer tank. Idk if 55 gal drum is too small. All my jobs I always use the customers water. That’s why I’m considering the 55 gal drum. What size buffer u using?
@@extremegreen5092 you could use a 55 gal drum to pipe customers water into it via a float valve like is in a toilet tank. The higher the water level the greater the pressure going to the pressure washer intake. If the customer has low pressure then it will eventually cause the 55 gallon drum to empty if you are using water non-stop, but oftentimes you aren't spraying water non-stop so the 10 seconds here and 2 minutes there adds up to be keeping the drum topped off. For a 4GPM washer it will deplete a 55 gallon drum in about 13 minutes but it may be all you need for reserve depending on the type of jobs you're doing.
Put a bypass hose feeding back into buffer tank. I run a 5.5 gpm direct drive comet pump and it works perfect. I've been running it for 21/2 yrs with no problems.
The only reason you need a buffer tank on a pump that small is just to send water from the unloader to keep the pump cool when not using the gun, you can even just let it run on the ground.
Tie into a line feeding to a float valve and double feed the pump, you will always have a good amount of pressure feeding the pump, when the tank gets full the supply water will feed the pump 100%.
Funny to come across this video. Earlier today I tried the same thing with a 2.5 GPM /3000 psi. It worked fine but it felt just slightly light in the volume. But even still my surface cleaner was working great. The surface cleaner is a better indicator of a proper amount of water volume and pressure than a wand with a yellow tip on it. I tasted it with only about 10 gallons of water in the tank with a 75ft garden hose feeding the pump. If I tested it with 55 to 100 gallons of water and a 5ft hose to the pump, I would probably not be able to tell the difference between gravity fed and house fed. I believe that any pump that is pushing water out one end is automatically creating a vacuum on the other end. A 12 volt can start off dry and suck up water, just like a wet vac. But my 2.5 GPM pressure washer most likely needs to first have water fed to it, then as it pushes water out one end it creates a vacuum and continues to draw water in and through the pump. Can a belt driven pump start off dry and suck water up like a 12 volt can?
The noise may be that the pump isn’t getting a steady flow of water like it would from the tap. If your tote was full of water it would flow a lot better also. If your pressure washer was lower than the tank it would flow better.
I have a direct drive also yes it can be done but you might fall in the risk of burning your pump because u have to hold trigger - but now they sell these unloaded valves that will not have to hold gun constantly and can pour the released water in buffer tank with no issues
You may be actually creating a vacuum (Venturi) when feeding into the tank, therefore actually creating suction to the pump. Try buying a bulkhead to add another connection to the tote itself to supply water. Does the gun spray when the motor is not on and both valves are open? I didn’t see you do that. I would guess the wand actually sucks when both valves are open.
Can you run that 5.5 GPM pump with just hooking straight up to the house? I’m thinking it can be done. I’m up in Pasco county and we have good water flow. I just don’t wanna mess with a buffer tank but want to get 5.5 for more flow.
My pump on the pressure washer is 4gpm but I bought a 5.5gpm 12v pump to put in between the pump and the buffer tank. It is not fully installed yet I’m still waiting on a couple parts.
@@extremegreen5092 I was thinking of doing that same thing as I wanted my pressure washer mounted up on my rack, so it would be about 2 feet higher than my 55g buffer tank. Please let me know if the 5.5 in the middle works when you get it done.
@@lsgt5132 Bet. Just got my 55 gal drum that I’m going to use as a buffer tank. All parts I need are in just need some time to put it together and test it😂 Will keep u updated!
Why aren't you feeding the buffer tank from the top? Keep enough water in it and a larger supply line to the machine and the water pressure in the tank should feed it fine
@crystal clear windows llc why would it ruin the pump ? my understanding is as long as you dont leave the pump running not in use you wont damage the pump from getting hot
You can. If you add a secondary unloader with a bypass set to a slightly lower psi (say around 3700), you can then plumb the bypass to the buffer tank. Jason Geiman has a video on yt laying it out. RUclips search PressureWashHelp
I use a direct drive no issues if you use a buffer tank it’s a must to use a 12v 3-5 gpm pump to support that pressure washer otherwise u can burn pump but no issues
Glad to see someone perform that task. I will be using that same set up with the same Honda 4200 PSI 4.0 GPM pressure washer but was not sure if it would work, I am just starting to build my system thanks a lot. I will put water in my buffer tank then let it flow into a 5-gallon bucket and see if it will flow 4 - 5 GPM
Are you using a pressure washer on wheels and not a skid for this
Yes,the hydrostatic pressure in the buffer tank will feed the pressure washer no problem.The larger the feed line and fluid level in the tote helps as well
You need to feed the water into the tank from the top and only use one line for the pressure washer coming from the bottom of the tank, your water going in and water coming out the same inlet is your problem.
I hit your subscribe button and hit your bell. Change it up and you should be fine.
Just uploaded a new vid😁
If you are having problems getting enough water flow put a 12 volt 4 gpm water transfer pump coming out of the tank and into the pressure washer. They are like 100 dollars at Tractor Supply
Do you need a battery to power it?
@@Maina_En Youcould run it off a cigarette lighter connection or straight to your car battery but your vehicle would have to be on. Most people just buy a seperate deep cycle battery and an enclosure box for it. You also need to be able to recharge the battery. They last all day but eventually will need to use a solar or home wall charger for recharging the deep cycle battery.
I have a 4 gallons per minute direct drive and I’m legit making a video right now regarding this. Someone told me to make my tank higher than my pressure washer. I want a buffer tank so I can use my softwash system and maybe to down stream with a proportioner. also I’m setting up a bypass from my machine to the buffer. . I’m also just stacking money to replace it with a 8 gpm.
I’ve had people tell me to put on a bypass on my pump then that should be fine sucking water with a direct drive. but I’m not able to because my pump is mostly one peice and there’s not much I can alter to it
I’m still deciding on using a 55 gallon drum or 200 gal Ibc tote for the buffer tank. Idk if 55 gal drum is too small. All my jobs I always use the customers water. That’s why I’m considering the 55 gal drum. What size buffer u using?
KG I didnt see your video on this. I’d love to see how you did it
@@extremegreen5092 you could use a 55 gal drum to pipe customers water into it via a float valve like is in a toilet tank. The higher the water level the greater the pressure going to the pressure washer intake. If the customer has low pressure then it will eventually cause the 55 gallon drum to empty if you are using water non-stop, but oftentimes you aren't spraying water non-stop so the 10 seconds here and 2 minutes there adds up to be keeping the drum topped off.
For a 4GPM washer it will deplete a 55 gallon drum in about 13 minutes but it may be all you need for reserve depending on the type of jobs you're doing.
You don’t downstream with a proportioner.
Put a bypass hose feeding back into buffer tank. I run a 5.5 gpm direct drive comet pump and it works perfect. I've been running it for 21/2 yrs with no problems.
Ok yea I’ll look into that
Where can I get a bypass? Do I need to replace the Unloader?
How does a bypass hose work ?
Yes, that is why I purchase a belt drive because it suck water and my water can be below the 1 metal line from the bottom. Is your hose 1 inch?
Some of the direct drives may pull some water, but some won’t. Either pump water from the buffer or swap to a gear drive pump.
The only reason you need a buffer tank on a pump that small is just to send water from the unloader to keep the pump cool when not using the gun, you can even just let it run on the ground.
4gpm machine most cases needs to be gravity fed, so you have to fill that tank atleast halfway up and it should be plumbed down towards your inflow
Tie into a line feeding to a float valve and double feed the pump, you will always have a good amount of pressure feeding the pump, when the tank gets full the supply water will feed the pump 100%.
How is that set up going after the buffer tank? Those 3 red valves. Can you send me the links? Thanks! Cheers from Texas!
A buffer tank is not needed for a 4gpm machine. A faucet normally yields 8gmp
Funny to come across this video. Earlier today I tried the same thing with a 2.5 GPM /3000 psi. It worked fine but it felt just slightly light in the volume. But even still my surface cleaner was working great. The surface cleaner is a better indicator of a proper amount of water volume and pressure than a wand with a yellow tip on it. I tasted it with only about 10 gallons of water in the tank with a 75ft garden hose feeding the pump. If I tested it with 55 to 100 gallons of water and a 5ft hose to the pump, I would probably not be able to tell the difference between gravity fed and house fed. I believe that any pump that is pushing water out one end is automatically creating a vacuum on the other end. A 12 volt can start off dry and suck up water, just like a wet vac. But my 2.5 GPM pressure washer most likely needs to first have water fed to it, then as it pushes water out one end it creates a vacuum and continues to draw water in and through the pump. Can a belt driven pump start off dry and suck water up like a 12 volt can?
The noise may be that the pump isn’t getting a steady flow of water like it would from the tap. If your tote was full of water it would flow a lot better also. If your pressure washer was lower than the tank it would flow better.
Is that a CAT 66 series pump? Those will draw water fine. It’s the other 4gpm pumps that won’t
67dx series pump
$150 bucks on 5 gpm pump on buffer tank outlet,no need to worry about flow or cavitation.
I have a direct drive also yes it can be done but you might fall in the risk of burning your pump because u have to hold trigger - but now they sell these unloaded valves that will not have to hold gun constantly and can pour the released water in buffer tank with no issues
You may be actually creating a vacuum (Venturi) when feeding into the tank, therefore actually creating suction to the pump. Try buying a bulkhead to add another connection to the tote itself to supply water.
Does the gun spray when the motor is not on and both valves are open? I didn’t see you do that. I would guess the wand actually sucks when both valves are open.
yea get rid of the hose and do a braided clear hose 1" to it and prime it then fire it up and itll feed np. done.! volume=success
Can you run that 5.5 GPM pump with just hooking straight up to the house? I’m thinking it can be done. I’m up in Pasco county and we have good water flow. I just don’t wanna mess with a buffer tank but want to get 5.5 for more flow.
My pump on the pressure washer is 4gpm but I bought a 5.5gpm 12v pump to put in between the pump and the buffer tank. It is not fully installed yet I’m still waiting on a couple parts.
@@extremegreen5092 I was thinking of doing that same thing as I wanted my pressure washer mounted up on my rack, so it would be about 2 feet higher than my 55g buffer tank. Please let me know if the 5.5 in the middle works when you get it done.
@@lsgt5132 Bet. Just got my 55 gal drum that I’m going to use as a buffer tank. All parts I need are in just need some time to put it together and test it😂 Will keep u updated!
@@extremegreen5092 I haven't got a washer yet bc of this.I think I might just do the build with the reduction gear so it will pull from tank.
@@lsgt5132 If ur budget permits. I recommend u get yourself a washer with belt drive or gear drive pump. R u starting out?
Did you ever figure out your water pressure issue with your buffer tank?
Why aren't you feeding the buffer tank from the top? Keep enough water in it and a larger supply line to the machine and the water pressure in the tank should feed it fine
Irene is our predator 420 CC and it's worked
Put a 12v pump between buffer tank and pressure washer
Just got 5.5gpm everflo pump in today. I’m going to try to plumb it to the pressure washer
@@extremegreen5092 where did you buy the 5.5 pump and did you install it yourself. Tku
@@benderprofessionalservices9018 On Amazon! Got an everflo pump.
I think need it a bypass and secund pomp broth with battery. But if work fine like that. Cool. You cat pomp anyway those the Best
yes you need a bypass from the unloader to the buffer tank you can ruin the pump
I just learned that from my local pressure washing store. I got a used belt drive and installed it with my iba tote
@crystal clear windows llc why would it ruin the pump ? my understanding is as long as you dont leave the pump running not in use you wont damage the pump from getting hot
My direct drive pump won't feed from a tank like this, wish it would
What size hoses or you useing
That little noise is pump cavitation, it will ruin that pump!!!
So just run a 12v pump to feed the buffer to the washer
I think you need to install a bypass
I don’t think I’m able to. The unloaded is permanently on the pump
You can. If you add a secondary unloader with a bypass set to a slightly lower psi (say around 3700), you can then plumb the bypass to the buffer tank. Jason Geiman has a video on yt laying it out. RUclips search PressureWashHelp
All the need is a water pump to pump the water to your washer
Get a belt driven and you can run it how u want with no issues so replace your machine and you will be ok
You should get a real machine. That would solve all your issues
That’s what I did and that solved everything😂
Usually u should get 2inch inlet barb and run 2 inch hose from buffer to pw
You have no idea what you’re talking about